GM critics

[sword-dancer]

GM critics

How did you as GM and Group handle GM Critic?
Which way do you bring them over?
How did you accept them?
Which results do they have?

As Gm Iask my group more or less regularly:
What they like
What they dislike
What made I wrong
What should be changed

And a very useful Link IMHO
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/Roleplayer/Roleplayer22/SameGame.html

 

[Zappo]

Simple: I am the perfect DM and never get criticized.

Seriously, I rarely get criticized, and the sparse times when it happens I treat it according to the situation. I may offer a retcon if I got a rule wrong, or I may solve the dispute in a number of ways. Only as a last resort, I'll throw the player into a wood chipper.

 

[Bryan Vining]

Well, I have a take on this. Basically, I think you're doing the right thing there with the regular questions. The best way to handle criticism of the GM is with open, honest discussion (say, at the beginning of each session) wherein everyone is invited to speak their minds. That's not to say that you will necessarily change everything at the player's whim, but they will have been heard, and, if you're listening, you will make some changes.

If this is done in the spirit of improving the game, no one need feel hurt by anything said. This exercise should include, IMO, the GM's criticisms of the players as well.

 

[Davelozzi]

Simple -- I invite feedback from my players, ideally on our campaign discussion board but also in person at sessions or elsewhere, or by email or phone. Some of my players are great with the feedback and I try to take their opinions into account when working on the campaign. Other players rarely opt to give any input, but I still welcome it when they do.

 

[Kibo]

I throw things cry, and occasionally start fires. Xarlen says he wets himself. Maybe I'll try that....

 

[ced1106]

Another good booklet: "Robin Law's Guide to Good Gamemastering".

Haven't tried starting fires. Thought about it often, tho.


Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

 

[Tar Markvar]

In my group, you're only as good as your last session.

I ran a Kalamar/Dragonstar game that was getting "rave reviews," but then I had one session that didn't go as well (I worked hard on it, but one player got himself bored and too out his laptop, put on headphones, and just started playing a PC game at the table). At the end of the session, I got an earful, and since then we trashed that campaign and will never go back to it again.

I hate it. I worked hard and invested a lot of time and work into the game, only to have it trashed by a surly player in the last session.

I generally handle critique pretty well (I review games for a living, so I have to), but when it instantly destroys a game, it tends to get my goat.