Girl DMs!

[mythago]

Back in the days when we had to chip our own dice out of flint, it was more of a hassle. I would actually have people gather round me and stare at gaming cons. (No, it wasn't because I resembled a supermodel.) Not much of that anymore, thank the hundred little gods.

My experience is that it doesn't currently seem to make a difference wrt gaming style. I suppose I could be seen as 'more bloodthirsty' than the guys in the gaming group, but then, I'm running a horror game, so perhaps that doesn't count.

 

[KitanaVorr]

I don't seem to have a problem or see differences between female or male DMs...it really depends on the person not the gender as to how good a game goes and it depends on how the players respect the DM.

As for being harder on the players than male GMs, well I am a self-professed Tyrannical DM all my players think I'm completely evil but they keep coming back for more.

Right now I'm DMing three games on the boards, non IRL(No time to even play any IRL)

Gangs of Texas
In Character Character Game
CowBoy BeBop

and currently working on finishing up the preliminaries to my fourth game to DM - Resident Evil.

I haven't had any complaints with my players on whether or not I'm too combat heavy(just "I can't believe you shot me in the first scene!"), roleplay heavy (although I do emphasize character development)or what...I try to give a good balance.

EDIT:

And at this time...all my players are male.

 

[dave_o]

Wow! Some rad responses. It's gonna be tough to touch on 'em all, since I made the mistake of sleeping.

Anyway, as far as age goes. Yeah, it seems there's a whole maturity issue here. If you're a less mature fella, you're going to be salivating over your female DM, while a more mature guy, well, wouldn't.

I personally think that girls are better DMs, simply because of how the female mind seems to work. Of course, I can't really make any definate points about that.

I'm way glad to see so many female DMs around, and will totally be reading up on their story hours. Sorry for any cans of worms I inadvertantly opened, too.

I'm a younger guy (17), but I'd like to think I'm reasonably mature. In my All-Favors campaign my girlfriend plays Kaisa, so that adds an interesting dynamic.

I just thought it might be a bit more difficult for girls to DM the less mature crowds, since, let's face it. This hobby, like any other, attracts it's fair share of jerks. And guys can be pretty overbearing.

I saw that Buttercup addressed the issue of innate safety, which I never thought about. But that'd be a pretty big issue, given the aforementioned jerks.

(Sorry for this post being all over the place. Rough day, thus far.)

Keep it up! This is good stuff.

 

[Tace]

I really don't think it matters if the DM is male or female. My wife is one of the best DMs I have ever played under but I wouldn't say that is because she is a woman. She's just got a good feel for the right combination of preparation and winging it that makes a good DM.

 

[Ziona]

We just had our resident gamer chick go all DFem on us for her first time behind the screen. She did a hell of a job, and really showed great instincts for the craft.

Visit her story hour for the game, called ADVENTURES ON THE SNAPDRAGON

Thanks, Doc!

As Doc mentioned, I DMed my first game on Friday night. I've been playing D&D for over 7 years now, and finally decided that I would try my hand at DMing. I have to admit that at first I was nervous at the thought of being the DM, but when everyone came over and began rolling up their characters, I found myself relaxed with the idea of running a game.

As for my players, I have 5 total: 4 males (one of which is new to the game) and 1 female, (who is also learning to play). My husband, who introduced me to D&D, is among those in the group.

I don't think my gender changes the dynamic of the game at all. I was the only female player for awhile (other girls have attempted, but never really got into it), so I think everyone is used to my style and methods of playing. As for DMing...well, I guess we'll see. Doc mentioned my "instincts for the craft", so I think that's a good sign. I know I enjoyed sitting behind the DM screen, so as long as my players continue to have fun, then we're in business.

I'm not sure that it will be any tougher to be a female DM over a male DM. I had responded to Randomling's thread when she was having her problem, and I expressed my frustration at not being taken seriously at one point. But, I think that anyone, male or female, who shows interest, effort and dedication in running a game will have a positive response from their players. I think once my friends realized I was serious and really interested, they became interested, too. Once I took the time to think about how I wanted to run things, and settled on a module, story line, etc., then things really came together. (I hope things worked out as well for Randomling).

So, that's about it. I'm a girl, I game, and now, I DM.

I am woman. Hear me WOOT!

 

[Zander]

I personally think that girls are better DMs, simply because of how the female mind seems to work. Of course, I can't really make any definate points about that.

I disagree. I've had both male and female DM's at cons and the female ones varied from great to terrible - just as the male ones did. I can't say that women make better DM's than men or worse. Sex doesn't seem to be any indicator of whether someone will be a good DM or not.

 

[Celtavian]

re

Personally, I would love to play with a female DM or player. I have mostly gamed with males my entire gaming life, and the change would be refreshing.

I just never knew any girls that were really into gaming when I was young. I have mostly stuck with my childhood gaming group as I grew older.

No opportunity. I wonder if it really is any differeng gaming with females other than the usual sexual politics that occur in social situations.

 

[Saba Taru]

Come to think of it...

I would love to play in a game with another sane woman (either GM or player). I'm used to being a GM (even though I'm currently a player-- and it's a very refreshing change!), but I'm also used to being the only woman in the room. The only other female I've ever personally seen game lasted 2 sessions and that's because her husband wanted her to be there. What a disaster that was...

I also think some of the points about the sex of the GM not mattering how good of a GM that person is or isn't are right on target. Being a woman doesn't inherently make me a better GM, it just makes me look a little different than the other people sitting around the gaming table. Seriously though, imagination, a healthy knowledge and respect for the rules and how they can be bent or broken, and a group of like-minded individuals to game with are a great start to a great group, regardless of gender.

And I wouldn't say that being a woman makes me any more or less bloodthirsty than the rest. If I do something incredibly stupid in game, I expect to suffer the consequences for it (and when I GM, my players know that they'll suffer the fall out for their decisions). I suppose it's all a matter of perspective.

 

[Cassander]

Since people are bringing cons up....

Back when I used to do Living City (way back in 2nd edition), I'd have to say the best DM ("judge") I ever had (at least role-playing-wise) was a woman. She was just a fantastic rper... I remember back then we had to rate judges on various things (improvisation, rping, etc) from 1 to 5... she got the one and only 6 that I ever gave out (wrote in 6 and circled it. Only got to play in one session with her, and alas it had a bit of a disruption due to two other players getting in a fight, but it was certainly memorable.

Oh, and btw, it seems that WotC hired her a few years ago.. her name's Gwendolyn Kestrel and I've seen her name grace the credits of a number of rpg products.

 

[Dr Midnight]

I don't think my gender changes the dynamic of the game at all.

Wellllll, we DID spend the whole session picking flowers in-game and discussing who we wanted to marry whilst poring over a copy of TIGER BEAT. We gave each other manicures and then yelled at an ogre until it gave up, after which we celebrated with a big bowl of chocolate ice cream.

Plus, our equipment lists were called "hope chests".

GIRLS STINK THIS IS D&D NO GIRLS ALOWED THIS MEENS YOU!!!