I'm running a weekly game with a set group of players. We're two sessions in and the party just reached level 2. We're running Keep on the Shadowfell, with some heavy modifications. I'd say my game is a 6 or 7 out of 10 on the fun meter. I want to take it to the next level. I want to improve as a DM.
Mike Mearls, in one of the gencon panels a few years ago, said you should DM every game like it's the last one you're going to play. I think that's a good philosophy for DMing, but implementing it is problematic. I want to run a fun game with a coherent storyline, but whatever "creativity" or "improvising" I come up with at the table - whatever new idea catches my interest this week - almost always derails the game. Also, having some epic new event occur every week kills the variety of the game. You can't just keep upping the epicness of a game every session and hope it works out. People need to do new things every game to keep it fresh.
I deliberately used a premade campaign because story structure and gameplay variety are so important to me. I don't feel confident improvising on the fly with the basic plot of the game. My players are having fun, but I feel like what would make the game more fun for me would take away from their enjoyment. How do you balance that? Where do you draw the line? What is a reasonable limit or guideline for including fresh ideas every week?
Sorry if this came off as a rambling mess. Thank you for any advice you can offer.
Mike Mearls, in one of the gencon panels a few years ago, said you should DM every game like it's the last one you're going to play. I think that's a good philosophy for DMing, but implementing it is problematic. I want to run a fun game with a coherent storyline, but whatever "creativity" or "improvising" I come up with at the table - whatever new idea catches my interest this week - almost always derails the game. Also, having some epic new event occur every week kills the variety of the game. You can't just keep upping the epicness of a game every session and hope it works out. People need to do new things every game to keep it fresh.
I deliberately used a premade campaign because story structure and gameplay variety are so important to me. I don't feel confident improvising on the fly with the basic plot of the game. My players are having fun, but I feel like what would make the game more fun for me would take away from their enjoyment. How do you balance that? Where do you draw the line? What is a reasonable limit or guideline for including fresh ideas every week?
Sorry if this came off as a rambling mess. Thank you for any advice you can offer.