I want some opinions... (gaming topic)

[Treebore]

Let me rephrase, because apparently I was not clear earlier. I specifically, directly, with no chance of miscommunication, asked if he would continue this specific game using this specific RPG rules because that is precisely why this game was started up, and why the player joined the game. A game in which he has been a player since the VERY FIRST session.

So he was very clear on what the game was about, why it was being played, why everyone signed on, and when they signed on. He was very clear on understanding what I was asking, even restating how he had no problem with doing so because of how much he himself loved this RPG.

So bottom line is I turned the group over to him due to a lie he told me. A group whom I had promised to run this RPG for. A promise he had agreed to carry on in my behalf.

No if's, no and's, no but's, no misunderstandings.

If he had told me anything other than, "Sure, I'll continue running it for you." I would have asked the other players if they were willing to step up. If no one was I would have officially ended the game and disbanded the group. Then this other DM could have seen about recruiting them for one of the other games he is so adamant about running he decided to lie to me about it.

But no, he lied to me and has now turned around and said, "I know why you are all in this group, playing this specific RPG, but I really have been wanting to run these other games, so can I somehow talk you into playing one of these other RPG's, even though I promised Treebore I would continue running the game you all signed up for?"

Thats why I think its very uncool, but apparently not keeping one's word isn't very important to some people like it is to me.

I promised these guys I would run this RPG for them. I asked this guy to continue to keep my promise to him and the rest of the group by continuing the game in my stead. Now he is not keeping his promise to me, and not keeping my promise to the others.

If I had known he would turn around and done this, I would have officially ended the game and let him recruit them into the other games he is interested in.

Someone asked why I had to stop DMing this game. Medical reasons. I had to change up my schedule to allow for me to deal with the medical problem, and as a result I had to quit DMing this game.

 

[IronWolf]

Let me rephrase, because apparently I was not clear earlier. I specifically, directly, with no chance of miscommunication, asked if he would continue this specific game using this specific RPG rules because that is precisely why this game was started up, and why the player joined the game. A game in which he has been a player since the VERY FIRST session.

So he was very clear on what the game was about, why it was being played, why everyone signed on, and when they signed on. He was very clear on understanding what I was asking, even restating how he had no problem with doing so because of how much he himself loved this RPG.

Maybe after he talked to some of the players he got the feeling there was flexibility in the system played? Or maybe the players thought he wouldn't be able to keep the same feel of the game you were running and were instead interested in possible other options?

But no, he lied to me and has now turned around and said, "I know why you are all in this group, playing this specific RPG, but I really have been wanting to run these other games, so can I somehow talk you into playing one of these other RPG's, even though I promised Treebore I would continue running the game you all signed up for?"

We only get to hear one side of this story, but lied is pretty strong. Circumstances can change, did something happen between your conversation and his timing to offer to run a different RPG? Did he talk to the players first and maybe get a feeling they were more interested in running something else since you weren't going to be able to continue running.

For example, the group I play in got together to play 3.5 D&D. We formed under that pretense originally. But after some time together we opted to try some other systems - d20 Star Wars, Mutants and Masterminds, Scion, etc. I was the DM originally and was the one that formed the group to play D&D. It was a replacement DM that suggested other systems, but I don't feel slighted in the least - people's interests change over time and it was put to a group vote.

Thats why I think its very uncool, but apparently not keeping one's word isn't very important to some people like it is to me.

Keeping one's word is an important thing. I think several of us realize that circumstances and situations change though. And that might be what happened here. Some factor changed that made the replacement DM think suggesting an alternative would be better than continuing the current game.

I promised these guys I would run this RPG for them. I asked this guy to continue to keep my promise to him and the rest of the group by continuing the game in my stead. Now he is not keeping his promise to me, and not keeping my promise to the others.

What do the player's in this group think? Do they feel slighted? Have they told you they think it is wrong for this DM to try to swap systems?

If I had known he would turn around and done this, I would have officially ended the game and let him recruit them into the other games he is interested in.

So either way the game had a chance of ending, right? The end result here is nearly the same if the players are choosing a new system. Seems more being unhappy over a technicality (largely because I suspect something else led to the replacement DM offering a choice of systems).

 

[Crothian]

That's obviously one interpretation of what happened but without knowing how he saw it we can't clearly say if he was lying, if you were unclear, or if there was a misunderstanding. Maybe he did lie to you and this is all part of some huge Machiavellian plot of his to seize control of the gaming group and run his game. If that is the case you need to stage a coup and then get rid of him. You might then want to set up a group charter that everyone signs so you get these things in writing. But no matter what happens make sure you post in on line so we can continue to follow this fascinating story of betrayal and intrigue.

 

[Alan Shutko]

If I had known he would turn around and done this, I would have officially ended the game and let him recruit them into the other games he is interested in.

You don't own the group. You're no longer in the group. You don't have a vote.

The way I see it, you had to gracefully bow out of the group, and to be considerate to the others, you found a way to let it continue so that your absence didn't ruin the game. That's a classy thing to do. But once you're out, you've got no skin in the game and can't dictate to the others how they spend their time.

 

[JeffB]

You are talking about something that people do in their free time... for fun. What the guy did may have been impolite (depending how you interpret his actions), but taking it this seriously and getting this bent out of shape about it is not reasonable....

He is, after all, offering them the choice to continue on with your game, not demanding that the old campaign be dropped in favor of his new game/system. Offering the players options during a transition seems perfectly reasonable. In fact, your choice to hand the game off to someone else without consulting with the rest of the group in advance seems pretty uncool. If the players you are concerned about really want to continue on with the current campaign, nothing is preventing them from saying so. Right?

Thanks for posting this- it's exactly what I was thinking while reading.

If the players are OK with the change, or even would rather have the change, who cares? It's just a game-its really not THAT serious. Not to mention since you are no longer part of the group TB (sorry to hear of your med issue, btw) , it sounds a little "control freakish" to me.

 

[Umbran]

What would you think of them then immediately turning around and giving the group a choice of playing other games instead of the one everyone signed on for? Before even running even one more session of the game they agreed to take over?

What would you think of that?

Would you think it was very uncool? In very bad taste? Bad form?

Lacking details, my general answer is: Neither bad taste nor bad form.

What he promised you really isn't relevant - it sounds like you're no longer playing with them. You're no longer in the equation, dude. His ultimate responsibility is now to the group, not to you.

If he'd switched the game without asking, that would be incredibly poor form. But it is, to me, never bad form for a GM to ask the players, "Is this what you want to do?" He's there to show those players a good time - it is his responsibility to make sure that he's doing what they want, so it behooves him to ask, rather than assume.

I can think of several good reasons to at least consider switching game systems or campaigns when taking up with a new GM, none of which have anything to do with "personal agendas".

 

[the Jester]

So bottom line is I turned the group over to him due to a lie he told me. A group whom I had promised to run this RPG for. A promise he had agreed to carry on in my behalf... I promised these guys I would run this RPG for them. I asked this guy to continue to keep my promise to him and the rest of the group by continuing the game in my stead. Now he is not keeping his promise to me, and not keeping my promise to the others.

First of all, we're all responsible for our own promises. If you cannot keep it, and you choose someone to take over for it, you're being awfully presumptuous. The new dm didn't actually promise the group to run your game, did he? Keep your promise yourself, when your circumstances allow. Or run it play-by-post. Or keep shopping for someone to finish up your old campaign. But don't put the onus on someone else to make sure your promise is kept.

If he had told me anything other than, "Sure, I'll continue running it for you." I would have asked the other players if they were willing to step up. If no one was I would have officially ended the game and disbanded the group.

Honestly, dude, this sounds like, "Play my game or go home!!"

A gaming group very often outlasts a single campaign or dm. A gaming campaign rarely jumps from one dm to another.

But no, he lied to me and has now turned around and said, "I know why you are all in this group, playing this specific RPG, but I really have been wanting to run these other games, so can I somehow talk you into playing one of these other RPG's, even though I promised Treebore I would continue running the game you all signed up for?"

Thats why I think its very uncool, but apparently not keeping one's word isn't very important to some people like it is to me.

Okay, I get that you're upset that he didn't keep running your game, and that you feel like he lied to you. But it really sounds like you're valuing the continuation of your game, when you are no longer in the group, over the fun of the guy who decided to step up and dm, and the group, which talked about it and made a decision collectively.

What if the new dm can't handle the system, doesn't want to screw up your story, after agreeing to take over decided he couldn't handle it? What if he said he would so as not to hurt your feelings? Hell, what if your game wasn't as fun for them as you think it was? There are a lot of reasons why the group might have decided to switch. Why are you resentful of how they choose to have fun? Be happy that there's a group near you that you can probably get in to when your circumstances permit.

 

[Ourph]

If I had known he would turn around and done this, I would have officially ended the game and let him recruit them into the other games he is interested in.

Well, now you know. So do that.

 

[pawsplay]

I promised these guys I would run this RPG for them. I asked this guy to continue to keep my promise to him and the rest of the group by continuing the game in my stead. Now he is not keeping his promise to me, and not keeping my promise to the others.

In what way? People are allowed to change their minds, and since you are no longer with the group, they are not responsible to you if they choose to do something else.

Joe's sister Sue is in town. Joe promises to take Sue out to his favorite Chinese place. At the last minute, Joe is not available for dinner Wednesday night, so he asks his friend Wendy to take her to the New Big Wong restaurant in his stead. Wendy agrees. Wendy and Sue meet up on Wednesday, Wendy asks, "Is Chinese food what you really want? Because we could totally go someplace else if you would rather, I'm flexible."

Not ultimate betrayal. Just offering people the same choice they would have if the original promisor were present.

 

[Roland55]

You are not wrong.

That is not cool.