Are DMs subsidizing player fun?

[Raven Crowking]

Actually, it is still stealing, because you are taking something that is not yours and using it. Depriving the owner of the property is not required - all that is necessary is the misappropriation of the property.

Well, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, anyway, wrongful appropriation and theft are two different, albeit related, crimes.

(Roughly, in the UCMJ, stealing is taking the thing with no intent to return it, wrongful appropriation is taking the thing without permission, but with no intent to deprive the owner of it's use. If I take your stereo to keep, that's stealing, but if I take your stereo while your on a field problem, and pawn it for cash with the intent to have it back by the time you return, that's wrongful appropriation.)

This is similar to the idea that killing someone might be murder, or it might be manslaughter, or it might be justifiable homicide (as in self-defense). Killing someone is always akin to murder, but isn't always murder. Taking something that doesn't belong to you is always akin to stealing, but isn't always stealing.

Also, depending upon where you are, copying a pdf (or CD) might not infringe copyright. The copyright laws of Canada, for instance, are different in this regard than those of the U.S. (although there are attempts being made to get Canada to change its copyright laws).

EDIT: As an author, though, I appreciate the point too. Still, I've been agreeing with you too much lately, and you know we can't have that.

RC

 

[Rel]

Let's leave the pirating/stealing/infringing conversation for the quarter of a million other threads about that, ok?

As for the topic at hand, I don't generally think about it in terms of the cost of books. Myself and all of my players are at an age and income level where, even if budgets are tight, spending 20-40 bucks for books that we'll use for at least 6-9 months is not that big a deal. We mostly run homebrew games so there's not that much expense on modules either.

Time is the big investment. There isn't much getting around that though. And I enjoy my prep time as a GM so that's not too onerous either. As far as the GM having fun vs. the players having fun, my experience is that I almost always have fun even if some of the players don't. For that reason I have to keep tabs with the players to make sure they're all getting what they want out of the game.

Finally I'll note that the NC Game Day has never had problems getting enough GM's. We usually have a few games that have to fold because there are not enough players to fill them all.

 

[Glyfair]

Finally I'll note that the NC Game Day has never had problems getting enough GM's. We usually have a few games that have to fold because there are not enough players to fill them all.

I noted that because I was doing some research about them since I'm considering doing one here in Delaware (nice central East Coast location). That stood out as an apparently common problem. I glad to see its not universal.

 

[Pbartender]

Finally I'll note that the NC Game Day has never had problems getting enough GM's. We usually have a few games that have to fold because there are not enough players to fill them all.

The Chicago Gameday has had about the same experience... Plenty of GMs to go around, but not always enough players.

 

[Treebore]

I think I have been lucky. I believe every 3E game I have DMed or played in everyone had at least their own PH. Same for 1E and 2E games back when.
Coyote6 and yangnome would have to confirm about the games they DMed, but I'm pretty sure everyone had their own books when I played in their own games.

For C&C, even though you can get the books for $10 (TLG Madness sales) to $20 full retail I have seen people play without books, but when they decide they like it they soon had one. Except one person, he kept borrowing.

This game is my biggest/primary hobby. I buy the stuff irregardless, especially adventures and settings. So as long as my players and I are having fun I am happy.

 

[buzz]

The Chicago Gameday has had about the same experience... Plenty of GMs to go around, but not always enough players.

We're packed to the gills this time around, though.

 

[Hussar]

I hate being taken advantage of, and I despise players that smooch off others who don't, or are not willing, to contribute.

If one of my players tried to kiss me I'd be pretty pissed too.

 

[Raven Crowking]

If one of my players tried to kiss me I'd be pretty pissed too.

You need to get some new players.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

I'm always grateful for any gifts, but I never expect them!

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

If one of my players tried to kiss me I'd be pretty pissed too.

Well... my current players.. ya, that would be bad...

One of my previous players..... I would be happy to have her lay one on me!