Easier to be "in character": as a DM or Player?

[francisca]

I have a strange issue. When I DM, I am very much in character when playing the roles of NPCs and monsters. I speak in 1st person and am very animated and descriptive.

However, when I play, I end up speaking in 3rd person, out of character, way too much. I first noticed it at GenCon last year, during Simmo's Gehenna: Love of Art game.

Anyone else have this or a similar problem?

 

[Henry]

I find it easier to be in character as DM than player. Perhaps it's because I've already rehearsed mentally what the NPC is going to say. As a player, I've got to ACT rather than REACT, and it's harder to do.

 

[Umbran]

It's the opposite for me. As a DM, I've got lots of things on my mind. I've got the NPC I'm playing at the moment. The other NPCs that may be present but not speaking. I've got the general plot to remember, any and all mechanics that may be relevant. I've got the pacing of the session to consider. Lots of stuff, meaning I cannot concentrate nearly as much as I'd like on characterization.

Meanwhile, as a player, I'm only worried about myself, my own actions. Nothing from keeping me from the job at hand - roleplaying one character.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Easier to keep in character as a player, but I'll also crack wise more often.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I find it easier to be in character as DM than player. Perhaps it's because I've already rehearsed mentally what the NPC is going to say. As a player, I've got to ACT rather than REACT, and it's harder to do.

There is also the fact that most (not all) NPCs are pretty superficial. You don't need to worry about their deeper motivations, their future development and being consistent unless it is a main, recurring NPC.

 

[Altalazar]

I find it much easier as a player. There, I am focused on the single character, I know what the character thinks and how he acts and why, and so it is very easy to slip into that and stay with that mindset the whole game.

As DM, there is a lot to keep track of, there are lots of NPCs, and many of them aren't fleshed out enough that I could know what they would say or think in every situation. So it is much more forced and superficial, unless I've had time to work it out or had sudden inspiration.

 

[diaglo]

i find it easier as a player. but then i only have one personae to play.

as a referee i hate having to roleplay the serving wench at a bar. it gets embarrassing.

 

[Cor Azer]

Much easier as a player - for the above stated reasons (only one persona).