On being a Professional GM

[Numion]

Oh, My Dear Lord.

You know, now I can say I've heard of everything. Simply amazing.

Wonder if I can get my company to hire me like that?

Actually it's a bit surprising this doesn't happen more often. A lot of nerds started companies in the dotcom boom and got rich. Those could potentially hire DMs, no? At least that's what I would do with Bill Gates $$$

 

[Laurel]

Congrats! Continue the dream!
I am not sure though that I would want to play an RPG with my co-workers... that is almost asking for trouble, but then again I can see where in certain work places this could work great as a team builder.

 

[Tinner]

At the risk of offense ...

What company was this?
If they have a nearby branch, I wanna put a resume in!
Seriously though, I'd love to work for a company that would provide this kind of service to employees.

 

[Tilla the Hun (work)]

OK...


Just how much are you getting paid for this, that's what I'd like to know

Per game session? Per player? Per month??

 

[Katerek]

I always assumed Bugaboo was engaged in a long-running practical joke, myself. If this isn't the same thing, that sounds pretty amazing.

So, this company team-building thing. Is is a short-term thing? Do they rotate players in and out on you? (That, BTW, would be pretty amazing to me, that Personnel would come to me and say 'BTW, you're playing D&D on Friday afternoon for the next six weeks').

Do you have a set of instructions to go by or situations to use? Do you report back specific results from those or make notes of who does what? (Like 'Put them in a burning building and see who saves the kids and which ones climb over the backs of their fellow man to get out').

Does what happens in the game apply to reviews ('Now, Johnson, it says here that you always like to play evil characters. I think we need to talk about that' or 'Marcia, about your stealing from other party members...' OK, not that literally, but are they graded on participation, leadership, problem-solving, etc?), or is it like a 'mandatory company picnic' type of thing?

Oh I assure you, it is no joke. Although I have never heard of Bugaboo. If what he was doing was real, I would love to have a discussion with him.

As far as instructions, it does require a bit of pride swallowing. As I am being subservient to their rule, if the boss doesn't want to play with certain house rules that I am familiar with or prefer, I just have to grin and bear it. It took a little bit of getting used to, but now it goes easily. To be honest, I am having a blast with it.

I am not sure if they use it to monitor other employees, but we do have the occasional discussion about behaviors and whatnot. As to reviews, it was interesting when I had my own review! What was really nice about it, is that since they are paying for a specific product they have absolutely no baggage or problems with giving me feedback!

I think for the most part, the whole experience has made me a better game master.

 

[Theocrat]

Putting Gaming On a REsume

Hi all-
I've been gaming since I was 8yrs old. So I've got plenty of years under my belt, as well as different gaming styles. I'm watching my son, 12yrs old, play and recognize the same gaming style that I once had (he gives out way too much treasure to his 12yr old friends). What that has taught me is that you change and adjust your'e style of play not just based upon age, but also based upon who you play with.
I've always been the DM for the groups with which I play. As a recent Grad with a degree in Human Communication, I've come to learn and understand Group Dynamics even more, though and because of D&D. These things are important, and show that you are a leader amoungst your peers which is usually very important. As such, I've always listed my gaming experience on my resume as our gaming groups name (even if we don't have one officially, or the Orc Killers of Greyhawk doesn't sound like resume material) I've used one that I've had for years.
I list my Land Rover club affliliation and that I'm a technical driver and that I'm the group leader for the Gaming Society. I don't list that I've been the leader since 1979, but just the last 4 or 5 years.
I've been questioned about it in job interviews, and I've always said "Remember that game you or your friends played as a kid, called D&D? (some say no, in which I say does your kid play Magic or Pokemon, and then there is a yes, and quick explanation of how they relate). Well it's still around and even more "grown-up" than when we started. There is still a game for kids, but its about Group Dynamics, and team building."

What D&D does give you is the ability to manage situations that change, think on the fly, and communicate between 4-10 others in a tight knit group that meets on a weekly / semi-weekly basis. As DM you must prepare and keep notes, as well as manage others with inter-party conflict, and who is going to be able to eat the last piece of pizza.

There is another poster, Lord GreyWolf on Code Monkey's Forums that is a professional DM. From the way it seems, he is the store's owner and charges $5 a game. Or something along those lines.
Since I'm runing a game on the Official D&D Game Day, Oct.16, I should charge the store so that I too, can become "professional."

Be well...

 

[Katerek]

What company was this?
If they have a nearby branch, I wanna put a resume in!
Seriously though, I'd love to work for a company that would provide this kind of service to employees.

They are a local company that provides web-based financial solutions. To my knowledge, they do not have branch offices.

 

[Katerek]

OK...


Just how much are you getting paid for this, that's what I'd like to know

Per game session? Per player? Per month??

Well I wont discuss the actual amount, but it is an adequate amount. I get paid twice a month. I get an hourly rate for the time spent on the sessions plus they pay me an equivalent of four hours for development time each week. Basically, after taxes it works out to be enough to cover the cost of my smokes, gas (which is nice since I have a 35 mile commute for this and my other job), and provides me enough to feed my game habit.

 

[Katerek]

Hi all-
As a recent Grad with a degree in Human Communication, I've come to learn and understand Group Dynamics even more, though and because of D&D. These things are important, and show that you are a leader amoungst your peers which is usually very important. ...What D&D does give you is the ability to manage situations that change, think on the fly, and communicate between 4-10 others in a tight knit group that meets on a weekly / semi-weekly basis. As DM you must prepare and keep notes, as well as manage others with inter-party conflict...

I couldn't agree more Theocrat. I too have been gaming for the last 22 years (since I was 8) and it has taught me a lot. I have been running games for the last 20 of those years and alot of who I am today comes from the interpersonal skills that I have been forced to develop because of in-game situations.

In fact, my last day job was working as an Educational Consultant for a major telecommunications company. As I have no degree, and no clear experience, it was through my experience as a Games Master that I was able to land the job. The interviewing manager asked a peer of mine how qualified I was for the job and my peer 'outed' me as a gamer. When the interviewing manager asked me about it, I just went with and asked him to come watch a game. He did, and I got the job. I am no longer with that company, but it was great while it lasted.

I am now the Director of Sales and Marketing for another small company nearby, and in that roll as well I consistently draw upon skills that I have honed as a GM.

I don't know that I would advocate everyone begin to start listing their gaming experience on resumes, but I would definately hazard to guess that as the gaming culture continues to drift into the mainstream it would definately become a more viable option.

 

[Mystery Man]

What is the name of this company? Surely if they are web developers they have a web site?