DMing with an Audience

[Midknightsun]

I have a campaign that I run (one of two . . . what the heck was I thinking?) that seems to attract a continual stream of observers. And while I don't mind serious potential gamers watching on, all of these have been either significant others of players or . . . .just individuals that you know aren't really interested in the game. Well, this weekend it looks like I got a little crowd who is just there to watch. One is the wife of a new player who really, really wants to get back into gaming and needs her (ehem) blessing, I suppose, to do so. The other is the girlfriend of one of the guys, who flew over from out of country. (yeah, I'm sure watching our gaming is just the way she wanted to spend her time over here, but I digress . . ). The prior observer was just a really freaky woman (in the disturbing, fatal attraction-type sense) who had the hots for me (and kept staring at me the whole time). Now, I don't know about you all, but I was the type of kid who was terrified of giving speeches in front of class, and even now (despite having run corporate meetings myself) am not too keen on the idea of an audience. Also from my experience, if you aren't into the game, it looks rather . . . .boring, and as DM I almost feel obligated to keep even the uninterested parties entertained for the time they are with me. It gets to be a lot of work.

Most likely its just me, but my question is how do you all feel about observers while your gaming? Ones that you know aren't interested in playing? Does it bother you at all? Are there some instances where it would, or some bad experiences you may have had that make you reluctant at times?

I'd be interested to know.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

If it's during a one-shot at a gameday or something, I have no problem with it. I look at those as an opportunities for people to be exposed to new games and new styles, so as long as they don't interrupt the game, I welcome it.

Regular games, OTOH, it bothers me. It inevitably leads to friction. Either the person observing can't keep out, or they want to interact with their SO and it takes them out of the game. If it's for 10 minutes at the end of the game cause their your ride and we ran late, that's one thing. But showing up to 'observe' for a whole session would bug me a lot. If you're interested, play, dammit, and it you're not, find something else to keep yourself entertained.

And FWIW, I seem to be one of those lucky few with absolutely no qualms about public speaking.

 

[Piratecat]

I don't mind in the least, so long as they stay totally quiet and don't distract the players. The only problems crop up when non-players are competing for table time.

And yeah, I keep wondering why they aren't bored to tears.

 

[Glyfair]

Most likely its just me, but my question is how do you all feel about observers while your gaming? Ones that you know aren't interested in playing? Does it bother you at all? Are there some instances where it would, or some bad experiences you may have had that make you reluctant at times?

It depends on the circumstances.

I used to do a lot of gaming at the local FLGS (and still do on occasion). There it wasn't uncommon to have the occasional spectator. They varied from passerbys who were curious, people waiting for their game to start, or people just hanging out with nothing to do. I had no problem with that at all.

On the other hand, at my apartment spectators are a bit more obtrusive. I wouldn't feel any need to entertain them, but would be concerned if they became a distraction to the game.

 

[shilsen]

I've had just a couple of experiences with an audience while DMing, and it never bothered me. I tend to treat it the way I treat it when I have an audience while teaching, whether it's a colleague or superior observing me, some student bringing in a relative or significant other or friend, etc (happens a lot for me, actually). And I'm referring to relatively small (12-25 students) classes which are heavily discussion-based. I do exactly the same thing I always do, except that I'll throw out a few things here and there to make the viewer take part in the class. On the occasions when I had someone watch a D&D game, I sometimes got the person to roll me a die (even people not interested in gaming tend to find the various dice in D&D fascinating), randomly asked them what an NPC might do, etc.

In short, I do the same thing that I always do 90% of the time, and the other 10%, I suck the observer into the atmosphere of danger, death and destruction that we move within. And I do that when gaming too

 

[Aeric]

I've only had to deal with this once or twice, and as long as the watchers are quiet and don't disrupt the game, I'm fine with them being there. Sometimes they even decide to take up playing later on.

OTOH, if I was running something at a con or a game store and had lookie-loos, that would make me slightly uncomfortable and self-conscious.

 

[Jeysie]

My group likes having on-lookers around. Though, admittedly, since we RP online in IRC, it's far less self-consciousness-inducing.

Peace & Luv, Liz

 

[Erywin]

In short, I do the same thing that I always do 90% of the time, and the other 10%, I suck the observer into the atmosphere of danger, death and destruction that we move within. And I do that when gaming too

If I ever get observers, I am totally stealing this Shil As it stands, doubt there is enough room to add anymore people into the gaming room, which happens to be my kitchen.

Cheers,
E

 

[Mark CMG]

If you mean someone passing by and stopping for a moment, no big deal. As for someone sitting in a most of or a whole game, then I do not personally mind as the DM but . . .

(. . .) and don't distract the players.

I find this happens by the mere presense of an audience. It changes how players act and approach the game. Therefore, I do not care for there to be an audience present.

 

[Agamon]

One of my players once took a 5 minute video of our group playing a couple years ago. Watching it, not only do I wonder why anyone would want to watch a gaming session, I personally wonder what my players find fun about my games...