WotC WotC partners with Start Playing to connect players and DMs and form tables.

[cranberry]

GMs aren't privvy to SPG agreements with the events/promotions that they've done with other TTRPGs like Pathfinder, Pirateborg, etc (the list really does go on!). Of course I'm curious, but I'd be very surprised if WotC was getting a cut... I can't imagine it'd be a drop in WotC's bucket financially; SPG gets 10% of a GM's per-session fee. But if it gets more folks hooked up to DnDB, that's worthwhile to WotC.

They may not get a lot for each session, but it it could work like a micro transaction from their perspective.

 

[Meech17]

GMs aren't privvy to SPG agreements with the events/promotions that they've done with other TTRPGs like Pathfinder, Pirateborg, etc (the list really does go on!). Of course I'm curious, but I'd be very surprised if WotC was getting a cut... I can't imagine it'd be a drop in WotC's bucket financially; SPG gets 10% of a GM's per-session fee. But if it gets more folks hooked up to DnDB, that's worthwhile to WotC.

You might not believe the sorts of comments and messages I've gotten about pay to play! I started at $25/session and am currently at $39 per. It took a lot of getting over myself and the taboo we grew up with around paying to play TTRPGs. If it weren't for my wife pushing me, I wouldn't have gone from being a law clerk to a pro GM

There can be a big difference between an AL session at a FLGS, versus the experience a higher-cost GM might offer.

P.S. I tried doing a biweekly game to both give myself a break, and because some players are willing to pay my prices-per-session but can't budget to do so weekly... it turns out none of us loved it- and I actively disliked it due to a lack of momentum.
Some of my players play in 2-3 of my games per week
The best is when we get multiple sessions of the same game in per week- for the players it's like being a kid again, playing so much and really getting into the game. For me, the momentum is fantastic for the creative juices.

Wow. So you're able to do this full time? How many games a week do you tend to run?

Do you run published adventures or homebrew?

Do you run the same adventure for multiple groups?

 

[Burnside]

Ironically, I think existing DMs going on endlessly about how hard it is is part of the problem. It isn't hard. We did it at 10 years old. Almost anyone can do it. Certainly one of the five of you can do it.

I think, in all seriousness, it's easier for 10 year old to DM than it is for adults.

Most adults are discouraged from retaining/cultivating the tools to "play" in the way that is second nature to a ten-year-old. if you started at 10 and just kept going, it's way easier than starting at 30 or 40 for most adults.

 

[Burnside]

To be clear, I am well aware of the site's purpose, I just think $20+ per session is a lot. Apparently there are enough people willing to pay the price.

$20/session/player is pretty much market rate for online games right now for a pro GM. I charge $20 per player for a 3-hour online session.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Looks like they are edging their bets in case their 3d VTT doesn't work. Other pointers to this are the development on their maps feature on DND Beyond, partnering with FoundryVTT, they are not putting all their eggs in one basket.

Huh, this has nothing to do with that.

 

[Burnside]

Is it for online games only?

Does location matter then?

If any of you run in person does location make a difference for you?

I charge slightly more to run in person, and basically for a regular game it's got to be within like ~30 minutes of where I live. For one-shots, parties, special events, I'll travel further.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I thought the the 3D vtt was supposed to have a match service.

I suppose it could still.

Nothing has suggested this until your comment here from what I have seen.

 

[cranberry]

$20/session/player is pretty much market rate for online games right now for a pro GM. I charge $20 per player for a 3-hour online session.

Yes, clearly there is demand for it, and it seems that $20 is the price the market will bear.

I still wonder what percentage of players are willing to pay for a game, and for how long, how competition impacts demand (e.g AL) and if the model is sustainable in the long run.

 

[darjr]

Nothing has suggested this until your comment here from what I have seen.

I believe it was in one of their videos. I'll see if I can find a reference.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I believe it was in one of their videos. I'll see if I can find a reference.

It wasn’t.