My players having more fun than me

[Vague Jayhawk]

I have to admit that I am disappointed in 4e. No specific reason - I just find it rather tedious and not living up to the hype.

Here is the rub - I gathered a gaming group together to kick the tires and learn the rules. We have met for a few months now. They really LIKE 4e.

My wife thinks it is a lot of fun.

A player that has been a disinterested lurker in various games of mine for a year or two is really getting into the kewl powers.

The Lurker likes the new rules so much he started bringing a friend (who also seems to really be having a great time).

An old friend from 2nd ed college days has been lured back into the fold and is loving gaming again.

The powergamer/twink/munchkin in the group is having a great time trying to break the game.

I would like to change to another game - but I just like having the new players and the revitalized interest of my older players.

I just thought I would share.

 

[DandD]

Ask them if they would also like to try out 3rd edition. Try to enthrall them with "splatbooks", if you have them. Tome of Battle does make playing mundane combat classes more fun (in fact, you'd never play a fighter anymore, if you like this book, of course).
Also, try to give them some kind of interesting setting. Ask what they would like to play, in what world, what theme.

That is, if you even want to change to 3rd edition D&D, of course.
Unless none of them wants to ever return to 3rd edition, which is then a pity. But perhaps you will like 4th edition, over time.

 

[Bohemian Ear Spoon]

OK, I am no psychologist, but my advice is: lighten up, clear out any accidental prejudices you have against it, and go with the flow. If your players are having fun, drawing new ppl and old ppl back, YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT! Maybe because you really hate some of the choices the developers made, you just cant come to grips with loving it, if that is the case, make some house rules, or come up with some other kooky reason for dragonkin or whatever, but I think if you just give in to the fun of it, you will surprise yourself!.

While no psychologist, I do believe I have minor oracular ability, so take this at whatever value you deem. Additionally, I abhor 4th edition lol and am playing p-n-p 3.0 (not even 3.5 lol.)

 

[Wormwood]

They really LIKE 4e.

My only advice is to ask if someone else would like to try their hand at DMing.

a. The DMG contains excellent, approachable advice for running a game---definitely suitable for newbies.

b. You may have more fun on the other side of the screen

In any event, I wish you luck!

 

[roguerouge]

My only advice is to ask if someone else would like to try their hand at DMing.

a. The DMG contains excellent, approachable advice for running a game---definitely suitable for newbies.

b. You may have more fun on the other side of the screen

In any event, I wish you luck!

Seconded. This sounds like you need to clear things out of your system. Go kill monsters and take their stuff!

 

[Vague Jayhawk]

That is all great advice! Thanks, I needed it.

3.0 and 3.5 is not an option. That is the game that had some of them bored to tears to begin with - but perhaps I might lure them into Pathfinder or True 20.

I probably do need to lighten up. If I do not, I might suck the fun out of my own game. Nobody wants that.

Perhaps it is not the game so much as DM burnout. This game has only went for a couple of months, but the one previous was a year and a half. Perhaps rolling up a wizard would do me some good.

 

[Roger]

What do you like about DMing that you're not getting, and what do you not like about DMing that you find yourself being forced into?



Cheers,
Roger

 

[Cadfan]

Seriously, you deserve major kudos for not having spoiled everyone else's fun. Its really, really easy for a DM who doesn't like what he's doing to poison the game for everyone else, or to use his position to subtly push everyone into thinking negatively about the game. And you haven't. You get major points for putting everyone's fun ahead of yours.

Of course, at some point you ought to have fun too. Do you think you might enjoy the game more as a player?

 

[Bohemian Ear Spoon]

Seriously, you deserve major kudos for not having spoiled everyone else's fun. Its really, really easy for a DM who doesn't like what he's doing to poison the game for everyone else, or to use his position to subtly push everyone into thinking negatively about the game. And you haven't. You get major points for putting everyone's fun ahead of yours.

Of course, at some point you ought to have fun too. Do you think you might enjoy the game more as a player?

Agreed and agreed. Being a player is much better advice, but whom will you lure into the role of DM? muah huah huah huah....

 

[DandD]

Asking one of your players if they could try moderating a game is really a good idea. Playing the game normally as a player also gives you insight on why it may be so fun, and then make you a better game master/moderator.