TroyXavier
First Post
Talk about a dream job. 
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On being a Professional GM
- Thread starter Katerek
- Start date
der_kluge
Adventurer
What could be better than being a professional DM?
Oh, I know -
working for a company that *employs* a professional DM, and getting to play D&D on the job.
So, you think Katarek has it nice - think about the players! Suh-weet!
And yes, this is legit. I talked to the guy briefly since I live more or less near where Katarek lives.
Oh, I know -
working for a company that *employs* a professional DM, and getting to play D&D on the job.
So, you think Katarek has it nice - think about the players! Suh-weet!
And yes, this is legit. I talked to the guy briefly since I live more or less near where Katarek lives.
The name of the company is Online Financial Aid Services, LLC. We aren't web developers... I'm not sure where that came from. We error check financial aid applications and also do work with school districts interested in certain kinds of grants. Two completely different divisions still under the same company, for now.
Katerek has been a truly fantastic hire and a great business decision. We are a small company, but almost all of our employees interact with each other, with management, and with the owners at least a couple times of month outside of work because of Role-playing. It's made the work environment healthier and seems to promote a sense of camaraderie. The Friday game is just the financial aid division's management side, and they get along really well now. Not that they got along poorly before, but this has been good for them.
I'm not incredibly social, so I also interact more with my employees than I would otherwise. I take them out for dinner on Fridays before the game and we can then have a relaxed meeting about the work week before heading over to the estate to game.
Back to Katerek though, he's been a really good GM. His initial e-mail about his interest in the job was impressive, as was the subsequent e-mail to follow-up on the first e-mail after we hadn't yet had time to respond to his initial e-mail.
I make pretty quick decisions, and after the first and only interview we held for the job, we decided to go with him. The games he runs are absolutely incredible, because he's running them with the idea that we have a good time. That sentence might not make sense... but a lot of GMs that I've played with in the past didn't seem to have the group's fun in mind much of the time. With Jay, there's never any question.
So, thanks again Jay. I think we remember to thank you after most every sessions, but in case we've missed any, thanks.
Katerek has been a truly fantastic hire and a great business decision. We are a small company, but almost all of our employees interact with each other, with management, and with the owners at least a couple times of month outside of work because of Role-playing. It's made the work environment healthier and seems to promote a sense of camaraderie. The Friday game is just the financial aid division's management side, and they get along really well now. Not that they got along poorly before, but this has been good for them.
I'm not incredibly social, so I also interact more with my employees than I would otherwise. I take them out for dinner on Fridays before the game and we can then have a relaxed meeting about the work week before heading over to the estate to game.
Back to Katerek though, he's been a really good GM. His initial e-mail about his interest in the job was impressive, as was the subsequent e-mail to follow-up on the first e-mail after we hadn't yet had time to respond to his initial e-mail.
I make pretty quick decisions, and after the first and only interview we held for the job, we decided to go with him. The games he runs are absolutely incredible, because he's running them with the idea that we have a good time. That sentence might not make sense... but a lot of GMs that I've played with in the past didn't seem to have the group's fun in mind much of the time. With Jay, there's never any question. So, thanks again Jay. I think we remember to thank you after most every sessions, but in case we've missed any, thanks.
Mark
CreativeMountainGames.com
Katerek said:
...and so it begins...
Never again will rolling the dice for free feel quite the same way or bring that pleasant satisfaction one feels as a child, or as an adult who games and who has a child within that never grew up.
Never again will the soda taste as sweet or the chips as salty, nor will those chips be as crunchy.
Never again will the cry of "Critical Hit!" cause momentary palpitations within thine breast.
Never again...
Never...
All right. I'm more than a bit jealous, but you knew that already...
Mystery Man
First Post
I'm 95% there in thinking this is actually true. 
Katerek
Iconic Gnoll
Bugaboo! Your name has come up a time or two on here. Have you had a similar experience?
Also I would like to say that malachai and the rest of the guys truly are some of the best guys I can imagine working for in this regard. As I said earlier they are great about providing feedback and always let me know that they appreciate what I do. This has been a rewarding experience on several fronts and I hope it continues pretty much forever.
I must say though, I still gain plenty of joy from my other games that I don't get paid for and I work just as hard on them. I know my players were a little concerned that they would be neglected when I started doing this, but I don't think that has been the case whatsoever.
My only wish is that I could do this with enough frequency that I could go full time with it and never go back to the dreaded cube farms of corporate life ever again.
Also I would like to say that malachai and the rest of the guys truly are some of the best guys I can imagine working for in this regard. As I said earlier they are great about providing feedback and always let me know that they appreciate what I do. This has been a rewarding experience on several fronts and I hope it continues pretty much forever.
I must say though, I still gain plenty of joy from my other games that I don't get paid for and I work just as hard on them. I know my players were a little concerned that they would be neglected when I started doing this, but I don't think that has been the case whatsoever.
My only wish is that I could do this with enough frequency that I could go full time with it and never go back to the dreaded cube farms of corporate life ever again.
nonamazing
Explorer
I'll be honest--I'm quite impressed with your job, Katerek. Any thoughts on how one might go about finding a similar position for themselves? Maybe by taking out an ad here on EN World announcing one's availability?
Bug was ahead of his time. And like most visionaries, he was demonized for challenging the public's belief system. Perhaps he was sometimes a bit over the top in his presentation, but you'd be surprised at how angry some people turned at the idea of a "pro" DM. ... Honestly, I'm surprised this thread hasn't gotten slammed already.
If a concept can be imagined, someone is already trying to find a way to make it real.
If a concept can be imagined, someone is already trying to find a way to make it real.
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