DM's: would you rather get stuff or 'involvement' from players

[Daijin]

New Players who treat me like crap, are told in certain terms to change their attitudes or never return.....by the older players. I dont have to deal with it much at all, other than try to explain how things work at our gaming table.

On bribery...they all one way or another try to bribe me into DM'ing more often, which almost never works


One player, named Kroka, during the poorest time of my life, (i was falling behind in everything, including D&D materials...by 2 years...) Took me to a hobby store (4 hour drive), and had this other player named Edge, go through the gaming material with me, to see what i would get and wouldnt get. It was to my understanding that I was going to get to pick one book to take back with me. But he (2 paychecks worth) spent 500 bucks on everything that I liked...which was a LOT. He surprised me when we got in the car, they both were grinning that they tricked me. He just did it out of kindness of his heart, not expecting anything for it, but maybe more game time (heh heh). To this day whenever he has to start over his dreamform, he always has a Katana named Redemption with him.

I have a GREAT bunch of players, and one way or another they all pitch in, even sometimes move to where I move to. Ever since that day Kroka surprised me, I havent lacked for anything, and all I had have to give in return is friendship and loyalty.

 

[Daijin]

[Quote}

They (players) will never be as involved as you (DM) will be, however. That realization is one the most important ones you can make. Come to terms with it, accept it, and move on.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, my players accept this and is why there is almost never any arguements over interpretation of the rules and/or other misunderstandings.

 

[Umbran]

Hey, you never invited me back to continue that Marvel superheroes game. Darn it, in retrospect I KNEW I shouldn't have draped toilet paper over your gaming room.

Nah, it was more trying to render my cats into your own image that cheesed us off.

Actually, that simply died because Chronosome moved west. If I thought you had anything like the available time necessary, you'd certainly have a regular invitation to things I ran, 'cause folks liked you.

 

[Greg K]

I prefer to have my players involved, but I don't mind that they bring munchies.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

Involved, out of the choices listed.

I would seriously consider running a game for cash, considering the amount of time/effort involved and the average player quality. Unless the money was very good for the work (> $10/hour including travel and prep time), I wouldn't do it for players who 'treated me like crap.' For players who just didn't put any effort into the campaign, though, I'd gladly run a game for cash and might well choose that option rather. But then, I'm always extremely short of funds.

For 'stuff,' though? As defined: Beer, food and books? Uh, no. I drink a beer maybe once every two weeks and can survive for a week on $10 worth of pizza. I have more gaming books than I know what to do with. Players who expect that to be sufficient renumeration are in for a rude surprise. $40 worth of food and drink is worth a heck of a lot less to me than $40 worth of dollars.

 

[Corvidae]

not saying I wouldn't mind stuff, but I really don't like being treated like crap. Turns out I want to be treated well more than I want stuff. It was tough thought.

John

 

[Odhanan]

I really don't understand this poll, to be frank, so much the "choice" seems obvious to me. Involvement 1000%.

 

[Simm]

First I don't see a problem with the question, it boils down to whether you prefer to gain matirialy or spiritually from your games.

Stuff is cool but I can't say no to to the feeling of a world coming to life around you.

 

[The Hound]

Why would I want to be "bribed?" If I did not enjoy GMing in and of itself, I would not GM. My enjoyment comes from using my creative abilities to entertain friends during a few hours of comraderie.