Who prefers to DM?

[Cutty Sark]

I was shocked when, on another thread, I saw two people within 10 posts of each other say that they really prefered to DM. I've always been willing to DM, but for the past 3 years or so I've played a character in one campaign, and I miss it. I'd really prefer to play, because I don't have a chance to really develop an NPC like I can with a PC. What does everybody else think?

 

[Crothian]

I mostly DMed for 15 years. At that time I'd say that it was fun, but I didn't appriciate it as much. Only in the past 5 or so years have I really been able to dive into playing characters and while I enjoy it, I really find myself perfering DMing. I don't think I want to do it exclusivel;y for the next 15 years, but I'm really happy to be going back behind the screen for my new game.

 

[Hygric]

The poll needs one more option:

I like both DMing and Playing!

If I haven't run a game in a while, I get an urge to DM, if I haven't played, I get that urge instead.

 

[EricNoah]

I have DM'd exclusively for a very long stretch, and I don't think I'd be able to do without. But I'm also lucky because now I am also a player in two campaigns run by two players in my campaign. It helps me be a better DM, I think, it allows me to see my players' other talents, and I have a lot of fun.

 

[Terraism]

I prefer DMing, with one caveat - times like recently, when I bounce from idea to idea, with the players not warming up to a one of them... then I wish I had a solid DM to let me rest on my laurels and be lazy for a while.

 

[MerricB]

I prefer DMing, but by playing I can show my players how to play the game really well.

Okay, that was slightly immodest... but I've got a group of mostly new players, and I've been at it most of my life. (20 years of 30 is most, surely? )

Cheers!

 

[Darkness]

I was one of these two people on that other thread, I guess.

So yeah, I prefer GMing. *shrug* In part that's quite possibly because I've so far never gamed with another GM that was a good GM by my standards.
It's also because playing doesn't hold too much appeal to me; I like to tell stories - on the other hand, I dislike having to strive for ever more power.
As things stand now, games with somewhat powerful - but not too powerful - characters (say, in D&D, 6th-12th level) that are nearly static in level advancement (and don't go much higher than 12th level in any case) are the only ones I would even consider playing... I'd still rather GM, though - which suits my players just fine, since none of them really like to GM.

 

[Nightfall]

I prefer to Dm, but only because no one will let me play a Slitheren! Or at least a Vertigen. In any case I'd play more, if someone would kindly let me play as a character.

 

[ichabod]

I prefer to GM. I mean, I get a lot more out of developing an entire world than out of developing a character.

 

[Emiricol]

I'm always wishing I could play again, but on those rare occasions when my players let me give up the DM's chair, I always find myself missing it.

On the other hand, being a player once in a while is a great way to get re-energized for more DMing. New ideas, refresher on the PC experience, etc.