Delicate Subjects...

[Boogie_man]

What is the best way to approach your DM about the current status of their game? As in you wish to inform your DM that their game isn't all that entertaining. The DM being a friend or someone you wish to keep DMing but think they should maybe move on to another campaign.

How would you approach them on such a topic? Or would you even bring it up? Is it better to sit quietly and hope things turn around or to speak up and risk hurting the person's feelings?

 

[Darth Mikey]

Speaking as a GM (I run a Star Wars D20 game) I would rather know if my players were not enjoying the game.

Be tactful.

Be discrete.

Do it between sessions.

You also might want to talk to the other players, to see if they are also unhappy.

 

[sircaren]

Speaking as a GM (I run a Star Wars D20 game) I would rather know if my players were not enjoying the game.

Be tactful.

Be discrete.

Do it between sessions.

You also might want to talk to the other players, to see if they are also unhappy.

Totally agree with this. Usually I have to pry feedback out of my players. I would think that any DM would welcome it, good or bad, if only to improve the game for everyone.

 

[diaglo]

tell him his feces stinks.

blatant honesty.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Darth Mikey has said it pretty well!


Although, if they're a highly strung type, you could approach it from a positive angle?

Tell them the bits of the game that you enjoy and see if you can encourage them to do more of that.

If there are no bits you enjoy, then I refer you to Diaglos answer.

 

[VirgilCaine]

Be tactful. Be discreet. Do it between sessions.

I agree--I would certainly want to know. Discreetly.

 

[devilbat]

Yep, I'd want to know. Don't do it in front of the rest of the group. Often, the DM will share your feelings about the game, but continues it as a sense of duty.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

Darth Mikey makes a great point: do it *between* sessions.

We had a faction of our old players decide to tell the DM in the middle of the game that the current session was a "test," we didn't pass, and they were quitting. Talk about tactless! They way they did it not only made the potential of being gaming buddies again slim to none, it essentially ruined our friendship.

 

[SBMC]

Question: I have a lot of management experience (along with the RP stuff):

Is it the content (setting), rules enforcement, style of play (to much roleplay demands by the DM or none at all...etc.), does it drag out (sessions where nothing gets accomplished time and time again)...

In other words what are the specifics. If you write them down then you might be able to provide specific constructive feedback when you talk to him; with examples. That way you "case" is made with clarity. You may also then see a larger issue; or positive thing.
Perhaps is is bad now because he is just taking to much time to get to the good stuff...

It is also important to include what he has to be doing something right...at least one thing...

He is (I hope) mature enough (especially if he is an adult) to take the constructive critisism as just that - constructive.

He may very well think everything is going great - many people take "non complaints" as "positive feedback" instead of what is actually is; which is just no one complaining = status quo (but ya don't know what the staus quo is becasue no one told ya).

Also; if you do this; be prepared to "start over". You, th DM or the other players may want a fresh start in one form or another to begina anew; with the improvements in place. That may also help the DM to "wash away" his mistakes in his mind.

You may have the complaints/issues but together you'll have to work out a solution that works for everyone.

 

[fusangite]

What is the best way to approach your DM about the current status of their game? As in you wish to inform your DM that their game isn't all that entertaining.

Is it your objective to quit the game, get your GM to improve the game or get a new GM for the group? Depending on which of those things you actually want to do, the recommended course of action is quite different.

If you want to quit the game, don't mention that there is anything wrong with it. Just explain that due to work or family commitments, you're taking a break from gaming.

If you want the GM to improve the game, the first thing you need to ask yourself is whether this is a realistic expectation. By that, I mean: are there things you know the GM can do that he's not doing right now that would make the game better. If so, you should explain that you would enjoy the game more if your GM did those specific things. (That's what I did recently and the game I'm in has really improved, except for the quarterly lame puzzles.)

If you want a new GM for the group, you or one of your fellow players should come up with a really exciting, interesting campaign idea and propose that it run instead of the main game on alternate weeks. If it is a lot more fun, you may find your GM shuts things down voluntarily.