how do i get "the fire" back?

[Sammael99]

Depending on exactly the mood you're in, I'd say you have a number of options :

- change games : getting into a radically different RPG can really bring back that thrill of discovery. For example, I find that my players know way too much about how the game works. They can identify most spells and monsters by heart, there's very little mystery. While there are ways to camouflage that in your D&D games, it's a lot easier to turn everyone on their heads and start something different. I'd say if your players are into acting, negociating and that kind of stuff, get them to play Vampire. If they're more into action, get them to play Werewolf. Or try something Sci-Fi, like Fading Suns... In any case, it'll be a very different trip !

- change players : maybe you're dissatisfied because you know the players to well and are never surprised by them anymore. Go fishin' ! You don't have to ditch your current group, but you can try finding another one in parallel.

- stop gaming for a while : I find I can't do that for long periods of time, but maybe going cold turkey will remotivate you. If you don't want to shut it out completely, then read gaming material or history books or work on a future campaign...

- design your own gameworld : you say you changed settings, but have you tried to do your own setting ? I find it really gets me going to work on my own campaign worlds. It's a lot of work, but the reward is way up there...

 

[mkletch]

The one suggestion I have not seen is a new DM; by that I mean a novice, virgin DM. Sometimes, someone who has never sat behind the screen before can bring a great new perspective to the table. It can be a bit trying at first, but the challenge of training a new DM eventually switches to coolness as you really begin to explore a whole new world. It can be like opening your eyes for the first time...

-Fletch!

 

[pogre]

It sounds like you wish you were still fired up about gaming, so I will not say quit for a while.

Instead, try writing a journal of your character's exploits in your own voice. Share it with the other players and get their reactions. If you have a good game it should help bring it back.

However, if you are dissatisfied with your game, seek out a new fresh group.

 

[Brisk-sg]

How often do you game?

I find that when this happens to me that taking a break for a week or two works great. Sometimes, just like anything in life, doing the same thing week after week can begin to become a chore.

Ask the group if it would be ok to take a couple of weeks off, or see if they want to get together and do something other the gaming for the next scheduled session, such as see a movie, go bowling, play some pool, ect.

- Josh

 

[hong]

i realise once a month someone does this. i find myself rapidly losing the will to campaign. in any way, as dm or player. i have tried playing characters that do not fit my normal range and i have tried changing settings.

in a span of one month i went from being extremely content with the game i was a player in to not being sure if i will ever play dnd again. nothing happened of any signifigance in the game to make me lose interest. i can't figure out what happened.

Perhaps you could figure out what exactly you want out of roleplaying, and then check that you're actually getting it. The following are taken from Robin Laws' GMing book.

- Do you want to accumulate power? This doesn't have to mean lots of toys and magic items; it could be something like gaining influence and status in a less combat-oriented campaign.

- Do you want to get into fights and kick monster butt with great righteousness? (And optionally, get lots of treasure.)

- Do you want to solve puzzles and generally use your brain to overcome the obstacles in your way?

- Do you want to take part in the telling of a story, in which your character plays a significant role?

- Do you want to "get into the head" of your character, and act out their life in the alternate reality of the game?

If what you want is to go into the dungeon and kill monsters, but everyone else wants to talk about the minutiae of their characters' lives (or vice versa), then you might be getting bored.

 

[Desdichado]

uh, i digress

The Molecular Man!

So do I. My wife and I love that skit.

 

[Greatwyrm]

Try reading a good book. Enjoying someone else's story sometimes makes me more anxious to get involved in my own.

 

[Datt]

Find someone with the DM Screen for FR. And just look at it. It will make you want to go adventuring!


At least that is what the package says.

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

I'm a big advocate of taking a break from gaming. Why burn out when you can just take a vacation?

 

[KnowTheToe]

I agree with the take a break from it.

I think this will be a bigger problem with the domination of d20. With less diversity in game mechanics, there is less of a difference in games no matter what the campaign setting. People will get burned out quicker.

I personally paint figs, make scenery, and create game stuff I will never use. I do this because each part appeals to a different facet of my personality and keeps me content. If I got rid of any of them, I don't think I would stay interested in gaming for very long.