Game Master Tips from Wil Wheaton

GMMichael · Jun 28, 2015

Excellent tips. I think Wil forgot the second part of the "let players make it up" rule, which is, "have a whole bag of SHHHT handy, just in case a player doesn't know how to handle this sort of freedom."

After seeing the design crew behind Titansgrave, I'm expecting more great tips to come!

Anselyn · Jun 28, 2015

Very nice.

JamesonCourage · Jun 28, 2015

I will say that as a sandbox GM (as my preference for long-running campaigns, at least), that first video made my GM sensibilities dry heave. No good for my style.

The second video isn't necessarily bad (again, for my style), since it could be a "pay attention to what interests the players" and "pay attention to consequences of player actions," though, again, it sounds more forced than that in the video.

Ah, RPGs. The styles you inspire.

Mephistopheles · Jun 28, 2015

JamesonCourage said:
I will say that as a sandbox GM (as my preference for long-running campaigns, at least), that first video made my GM sensibilities dry heave. No good for my style.

The second video isn't necessarily bad (again, for my style), since it could be a "pay attention to what interests the players" and "pay attention to consequences of player actions," though, again, it sounds more forced than that in the video.

Ah, RPGs. The styles you inspire.

I think player input can be useful even in a sandbox game; it doesn't have to be as overt as Wil describes it.

Players often throw ideas back and forth amongst themselves as they theorise or try to guess what's going on in the game. I'll just let them talk, take notes if I hear something I like, and may even change what I had planned to what they are talking about. Nothing in the game has to be set in stone until the PCs become aware of it or it has some impact on them.

camilaacolide · Jun 29, 2015

For some sessions now in my table, when players come up with an idea (for action resolution or setting description) that's clearly better than mine, I blatantly steal them, re-describe the scene using their idea, and award them an inspiration point for that (D&D 5e). This has worked wonders for my game. It doesn't happen so often as to become disruptive, and when it happens, it's usually awesome and the scene becomes more vivid! And as a result, all the players get more engaged and participative since, in many small ways, they are forging the game they want to play better than I could ever do by myself!

Although I hate the Wheaton's DMing style in TITANSGRAVE, his tips here are golden. I've yet to try something like he describes in the first video, giving complete and deliberate creative control to a player in a very specific situation or description, but it's definitely in my to-do list for the next sessions!

Yaarel · Jun 29, 2015

Excellent tips from Wil. I will be following his weekly broadcasts.

Von Ether · Jun 29, 2015

Solid advice, he seems focused on finding ways to get players to feel ownership and engagement in the setting.

JamesonCourage · Jun 29, 2015

Mephistopheles said:
I think player input can be useful even in a sandbox game; it doesn't have to be as overt as Wil describes it.

Players often throw ideas back and forth amongst themselves as they theorise or try to guess what's going on in the game. I'll just let them talk, take notes if I hear something I like, and may even change what I had planned to what they are talking about. Nothing in the game has to be set in stone until the PCs become aware of it or it has some impact on them.

Just thought I'd reply with a "good post."