Life changes

[Rel]

1) Is it just D&D that is leaving you cold or is it all RPGs? Perhaps a change of game will do you good, and there are plenty of them out there.

One thing that I think has really helped to keep my RPG batteries charged is getting to play a variety of one-shot games at our local DM Dinners, NC Game Days and (this year for the first time) GenCon. These venues tend to attract games that are out of the ordinary because you can break a lot of rules for a one-shot that you wouldn't want to break in an ongoing campaign.

In just over the past month I've managed to play d20 Traveller, d20 Adventure (run by Piratecat no less!), d20 Modern and at least three settings of D&D. The variety in gaming as well as players/GM's has been very refreshing as well as having helped me improve my own GMing and get some fun new ideas for my own games.

 

[EricNoah]

Thanks for the comments, ideas, and kind words.

It's not D&D -- it's DMing, it's the stories -- I can't do it any more. My creative well has run dry, and I just don't have the desire or energy or ability to do as good a job as I once did. It gets harder and harder for me to create a decent adventure. I had tossed around the notion of running a published adventure series like the Dungeon adventure paths, but there was little interest from my players and frankly not all that much intrerest from me.

I probably will still play (though my other groups have somewhat simultaneously imploded for a variety of reasons). I will be curious to see if playing is still as enjoyable as it was.

I did get to try some other games recently and in fact was getting ready to try to run an Iron Heroes one-shot but noticed an increasing dread rather than an increasing excitement as I was putting things together. That was actually one of the signposts along the way that lead to my realization.

 

[nakia]

If you're looking for something to do, my wife and I just bought a house. We could certainly use some help remondeling, landscaping, painting, etc.

Seriously, I think I understand how you're feeling Eric. In many ways, we are what we do. WHether you considered yourself a "lifestyle" gamer or not (I've never really been sure what that means, anyway), if you spent time, money, and energy in gaming, then it was part of who you are. Giving that up is bound to be difficult.

Regardless of your choice, don't be a stranger here; you're always welcome to stop by and talk about exercise, photography, bird watching, or whatever it is you take up. Know also that you've had an impact on lots of people all over the world by starting this site, which we are all greatful for.

 

[Rel]

It's not D&D -- it's DMing, it's the stories -- I can't do it any more. My creative well has run dry, and I just don't have the desire or energy or ability to do as good a job as I once did. It gets harder and harder for me to create a decent adventure.

Oh! Well that's a whole different kettle of fish then.

This is completely understandable. I think every GM gets some burnout or fatigue eventually. The GMs who post here and say, "I've been running my campaign continuously for seven years now and it shows no signs of stopping." are a complete mystery to me. Our group typically runs games for 6-9 months before both GM and players are ready for a change of pace. We almost always switch out GMs at that point.

So absolutely you need to get out of the GM chair and let somebody else do the work for a while. Perhaps a long while. But if you're like most good GMs that I know then sooner or later you'll start getting an idea for a campaign gnawing at the back of your mind. Then you'll know it's time to start dusting off the old screen.

 

[WanderingMonster]

Thanks for the comments, ideas, and kind words.

It's not D&D -- it's DMing, it's the stories -- I can't do it any more. My creative well has run dry, and I just don't have the desire or energy or ability to do as good a job as I once did. It gets harder and harder for me to create a decent adventure. I had tossed around the notion of running a published adventure series like the Dungeon adventure paths, but there was little interest from my players and frankly not all that much intrerest from me.

I probably will still play (though my other groups have somewhat simultaneously imploded for a variety of reasons). I will be curious to see if playing is still as enjoyable as it was.

I did get to try some other games recently and in fact was getting ready to try to run an Iron Heroes one-shot but noticed an increasing dread rather than an increasing excitement as I was putting things together. That was actually one of the signposts along the way that lead to my realization.

Hiya! I'm from one of the imploded game groups.

Eric, I share your pain. I still like the "idea" of gaming, but as I get older I find that I rely more on electronic aids, published materials, and stuff that really "does it all" for me. It's like painting by numbers: "So they draw the picture and pick the colors...so what is the point exactly?"

You seem to be a stride ahead on the same path that I am walking, so if you have any thoughts to share, shoot me an email. I'm trying to figure out what attraction is left for me, and how much I "need" to stay involved.

 

[Goblyn]

Eric, if it's feasible ... try paintball. It hurts somewhat, but it is quite physical and just, may encompass enough of what made RPGs so awesome for you. I know that this reply is askew of much of what has been said in this thread, but I cannot give kudos any more eloquently than has been already said.

If not paintball, something else then. I believe it's time to try a whole bunch of different new stuff.

But please, whatever you do; come back and visit us at least every once in a while. What would EN World be without Eric Noah?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

It's not D&D -- it's DMing, it's the stories -- I can't do it any more. My creative well has run dry, and I just don't have the desire or energy or ability to do as good a job as I once did.

OK...THIS is something I'm going through at this moment. My creative energies as a GM, at least as far as traditional fantasy RPGs go, are pretty much drained at this time. As a result, I haven't run an adventure in nearly a year.

(If I could convince my group to play modern fantasy or superheroes or western, I'd be fine...THOSE I have ideas for.)

Instead, the time I spent designing campains in previous years is right now being channeled into reading more books and doing more jewelry design (another hobby of mine). However, I do have a few pages of notes for fantasy campaign ideas- just not enough to do anything long term and coherent.

What am I saying?

Take time off from behind the screen. Let yourself recharge:

Read more, and from unusual sources- I've been enjoying a subscription to Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine, and its exposed me to many authors I've never heard of before, like Albert E. Cowdrey (whose New Orleans based Azalea Place stories are excellent modern fantasy).

Run with the bulls in Pamplona. (That is, go jogging with the Chicago Bulls...)

etc.

You may find you never need to DM again. On the other hand, you might find that spark of inspiration.

But whatever you do, DON'T FORCE IT!

 

[Del]

Yer an icon Eric, don't sweat it. You certainly never failed if that's what your afraid of. You left a sizable positive impression in the hobby since you lauched your portal.

You'll do just as well in your next endeavours, whatever they may be.

 

[UniversalMonster]

I kinda go through that myself Eric. Anyhow, its cool to see you back here just to say hello.

I have very cyclical interests- sometimes I'm working on music and really focused on that, and then something happens (bad gig, rude promoter, whatever) to kinda ruin it.. and I find I have lost my mojo and interest. So usually something else comes along- whether its doing art or a new game or whatever.

 

[Henry]

Eric, I echo the "don't be a stranger" comments. We miss ya!

As for the burnout, it's understandable, and well worth trying some other pastimes and hobbies just to recharge your batteries if nothing else. I started feeling that way a bit back, and strangely a few games of Castles and Crusades brought it back for me. We're going through Arcana Unearthed now as a change of pace, and the group is enjoying it, four games in. I heartily endorse keeping in contact with your friends, if you aren't doing so still, and heck - even board games are a nice change and still the opportunity to get together and shoot the breeze. I've seen gaming clubs devoted to nothing but oddball board games (Settlers of Cataan, Civilization, various german card games, etc.) - in fact, many of my old roleplaying buddies from a previous group still get together on saturday nights to play such games, because they don't have a lot of time and resources to commit to thinking about an RPG. I don't play with them because I don't have the free time, and I'm not as interested in the games as I am RPG's.

Anyway, I hope you find a hobby you can invest some of yourself in, in addition to RPG's if you can find a GM.