Are DMs subsidizing player fun?

[Blue]

As both long time player and long time DM, if you put it in terms of resources spent (time and money), the DM usually spends more then the players.

The DM needs access (either purchase or borrowed) to the various books and stuff in the game. He needs a world and adventures which is expensive (time and money, or lots of time).

They are also in a unique position. If you enjoy DMing, it's a fantastic experience. It's quite different then playing. Sure there is overlap with playing (roleplaying, combat, etc) but you get to so much more then the players. You get to create challenges and allies, foes, traps, puzzles, and things of wonder. You get to indirectly nurture a number of PCs, and try to challenge and kill them as well.

I love DMing, it's so rewarding. I also love playing. They are related but different pass-times. And it just happens that DMing often is the more resource intensive on.

BTW, just to go off a bit - I love running very detailed long running homebrew campaigns. That's loads of time, but not as much money. Some DMs could spend that time AND money. Others can do amazing improv with just the core books and have little extra investment. I just mention this becuase I'm not trying to talk for all DMs, just a general trend.

Cheers,
=Blue

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

My old group usually chipped in to buy the DMs (myself and one other) a gaming book for their birthday. We didn't purchase gifts for the players on their birthday's, we just had a cake and cards.

The other DM from our old group is moving back to the area and we have hopes for starting a new group. He no longer has time for DMing, so he has offered to loan me his entire collection of Dungeon Magazines to mine for adventures.

I may have been an exception to the cost rule simply because I don't usually buy player oriented supplement books like the Complete line. The players did and then let me borrow them between sessions to decide whether to allow their use in the game.

But overall, yes, the DM usually puts more time and money into the game than players. It is a major factor in why many DMs get frustrated when the players don't put in any effort between sessions like writing a backstory, reading extra information sent to them via e-mail or even updating their characters.

 

[Dagger75]

Lets see....

My players have bought books and have let me use them on a semi permanent basis when we play the system.

And as for writing adventures, my job subsidides them. I write up tons of stuff between phone calls at work

 

[buzz]

Does anyone have a different paradigm in their groups that seems to work well? Any solutions?

Keep in mind that this paradigm is only true for the popular, heavy-GM-prep RPGs: D&D, HERO, GURPS, nWoD, Palldium, etc. Play games like Burning Wheel, Spirit of the Century, or Dogs in the Vineyard, and not only is the prep nearly nil, the GM isn't the only one saddled with the responsibility to be entertaining.

Then again, none of these games provide exactly the same play experience that, say, D&D does. Ergo, you gotta find what suits your group's tastes as a whole.

 

[Darkwolf445]

I love to DM (most games, not just D&D).

I have found that I truly hate being a player (too limited in scope).

I buy books for many systems because I enjoy reading them and seeing what they have to offer.

I don't really consider this a necessary expense so I don't feel it needs to be subsidized, though I do appreciate when players buy and bring their plastic minis. I prefer metal miniatures that I have painted myself and will not buy the plastic ones (though the Confrontation ones look pretty spectacular and may go on my must buy list).

 

[Mark CMG]

Are DMs subsidizing player fun?

I had never heard it put in those words before but I guess that sums it up.

You can't get around it.

DM's do way more work than players. DM's clean up after players and fix the world again so the game can continue. We worry about whether the players are having a good time and keep the story going.

It's often a thankless job and more expensive to boot.

If that turns you off, don't DM.

Before you ever mistreat a DM remember it.


The upside is you get to have live people walk through a world of your creation. Hopefully some of your players appreciate your efforts. And you get to experiment with a great ant farm they call a game setting.


Sigurd

You, sir, are a philosopher! Well said, all around.

 

[Glyfair]

when compared to the tons of cash my players throw into splat books which I generally refuse to buy (but have on pdf, wink)

Ah, so you get around the issue by pirating books. That's really not the sort of "solution" I was looking for.

I wonder if it would be realistic to create a DM-less game, possibly by expanding the scope of the miniatures game? I know some games have dabbled in this area, but I haven't heard of any resounding successes - of course, that could just be because they're not D&D or White Wolf, and so remain fairly small players in the market.

One paradigm I've heard of was having the players rotate the GM role. I'm not talking from campaign vs. campaign, or even night-to-night. The players rotate into the GM role within a session. Of course the success must have been limited because I can't even tell you what game system it was that used that paradigm, even though I've heard of the paradigm.

 

[pawsplay]

As a GM, I've always felt I got my time's worth. I feel the same way about being a parent, too. Sometimes it's a pain, but I find it rewarding, and ultimately, fun.

 

[amethal]

I love DM ing.

And it gives me an excuse for the time and money I spend on the hobby. It'd get spent anyway, but at least this way some other people (my friends) also get to benefit.

I'd also be happy to run a game at any Con I was already attending. It'd guarantee me a seat at the table, which is the main thing.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

One of my players in the Navy bought me D20 Modern because he wanted me to run it. Mostly though, I enjoy collecting D&D books as much as I do using them, plus I enjoy world building as much as I enjoy DMing, so, it may be expensive, but it's worth it in the long run.