D&D General Dungeon Master or Referee?

[Maxperson]

Yeah, I think others have explained it better: the DM is a lot more than just a referee. They're a participant. Besides if I was master at the table my players would know to bring snacks!

You need to train yours better. Mine bring cold cuts and cook quesadillas and shrimp, BBQ...

 

[Crimson Longinus]

'Referee' implies sort of neutrality and passiveness that I don't think the role actually has or should have, and 'dungeon master' is a bit cringey D&D specific term. So 'gamemaster.'

 

[Lord Mhoram]

I have never liked the term referee - it implies arbiter of two sides... and in my mind in RPGs there aren't two sides - there is one group with one goal (have a good time). The GM and players facilitate that goal for each other.

 

[Maxperson]

'Referee' implies sort of neutrality and passiveness that I don't think the role actually has or should have, and 'dungeon master' is a bit cringey D&D specific term. So 'gamemaster.'

Nah. Nothing cringe worthy about it at all. It's just a term for someone who takes on the roles involved with that side of the game in DUNGEONS and Dragons. I mean, he could have gone with Dragon Master I suppose.

 

[DemoMonkey]

"In older D&D books the person behind the screen is often called the Referee"

Which books?

 

[Marc_C]

Nah. Nothing cringe worthy about it at all. It's just a term for someone who takes on the roles involved with that side of the game in DUNGEONS and Dragons. I mean, he could have gone with Dragon Master I suppose.

Maybe we would say more Dragons! Interesting term.

 

[Maxperson]

I have never liked the term referee - it implies arbiter of two sides... and in my mind in RPGs there aren't two sides - there is one group with one goal (have a good time). The GM and players facilitate that goal for each other.

Definitely. I refuse to be adversarial and engage with arms races with the players. I want those who play in the game I run to have an enjoyable time.

 

[cmad1977]

Dungeon or Game Master are correct.

 

[Oofta]

You need to train yours better. Mine bring cold cuts and cook quesadillas and shrimp, BBQ...

So simply out of curiosity can you PM me their contact information? Not that I would resort to player piracy of course!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Since the Gamemaster is playing one of the two competing sides, he can not be a referee.

DMs haven't been competing against the players since the early 1980s.