DM Shortage?

[Ralif Redhammer]

Based on attendance at the local con, and my own experience at the open table night I run at, I would say there is a shortage of DMs.

At the last con in particular, there were a number of folks that had to fill in as a DM at the last minute, because there were more players than they had DMs registered for.

But really, I think I’d add the qualifier that there’s a shortage of DMs that are skilled, enthusiastic, and reliable. Anyone can DM badly, after all.

 

[Vymair]

We've got critical mass of players and DMs in my circle, it's working through the conflicts of life that present most of our challenges. We are in our 40s and early 50s and with work, other social obligations and children scheduling is our number one challenge.

 

[Morrus]

I'm in two groups, and both have a GM. I can't speak to more than that!

 

[toucanbuzz]

My experience is similar to Ralif in that there's enough people willing to DM. There's a shortage of truly talented DMs whose style infuses the game and other players so much that everyone is enthused to return to the table again and again.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

Not enough from the perspective that we seem to have enough BUT there isn't a large influx of new DMs appearing to allow current DMs a break. I'd also say that the number of GOOD DMs is lacking. There are plenty of people who can run a game but significantly fewer that can run a memorable game.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Certainly at the university club, there is a shortage of DMs: There is a lot of demand for D&D 5e at the moment, and in the last few years there have not been enough DMs to accommodate all of the people wishing to play it. Generally people are able to find other games with spaces, but not in the 5e games which were their first choice.

In the FLGS? There seem to be more people trying to find games than can be covered by existing games or DMs as well, going by the notes and people asking.

 

[Seramus]

Lots of people willing to GM around here.
But only a few of them are extremely good (Mercer level or better).

 

[Shiroiken]

I was going to vote, but my group plays entirely on Roll20. There are local groups that play, but I don't know them and have no desire to join a new group. Within my personal group, we have 3 regular DMs who rotate, out of 8 people. We had another who was willing to run a game, but he never got the chance, as he had to leave due to his work schedule.

 

[pogre]

Hard for me to say, I am a DM.

I am a DM too. That's why I am asking. Seems like everyone around here is running games. I used to have waiting lists for my games. I still can get players, but it is nothing like it was a few years ago around here.

It's probably a good thing, because it forces me and I assume some other DMs to go in recruiting mode.

I was spoiled by a rock solid group for a number of years - new jobs, moving, and new life situations has changed that.

 

[LordEntrails]

It seems to me that if you are in a regular group, then by definition their is no real way for that group to have a shortage of DM(s). Simple because if their was a shortage, their would not be a group.

Now, how many DMs have a problem finding players? Almost none in my experience. This tells me that the demand for DMs is very high, and that this probably supports the conclusion that their are not enough DMs for the demand. i.e. a shortage.

If you look at the online platforms like Fantasy Grounds and Roll20, players are always looking for a game to get into and complaining about a shortage of DMs. (Now, if you only use a VTT to play within your existing group, you then follow into the 'have a group' demographic and therefore won't have a DM shortage).

So yes, their is a DM shortage.