Play or GM?

[IronWolf]

We have people willing to step up in our group. I was the DM when our group first formed. After a near TPK that sent the plot line out the window another DM stepped in. There are at least two more people interested in DMing in our group when and if the time comes.

 

[diaglo]

No, but there's a shortage of good GMs. But then, there's always a shortage of good GMs.

there is no shortage of people claiming to be GMs.

i'm not one of them. and i won't be. i'll play with the group if that's what they want to play. but i ain't gonna GM. no way. no how.

if i'm behind the screen i'm gonna referee. and it's gonna be OD&D(1974) or some other similar game.

my hat of d02 knows no limits.

 

[the Jester]

Well, I'm our group's 'primary dm', but omrob runs a game (though currently he's running Warhammer rather than d20), hippiejedi has been talking about running one for months, and several other groups around here have good dms (that I know- I'm not even counting anyone I don't).

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

It is said that doctors make the worst patients.

It is also said that the chefs and restaurant managers make the worst customers.

I'm a GM, pure and simple...

This is me, as well. Unfortunately, I am not that good, yet (my fickle nature and inconsistency hold me back). As far as playing...I hate it. If I were to quit GMing, I would probably be out of the hobby. On the positive side, none of my players (11 currently, in multiple campaigns) have any interest in GMing. The downside of that attitude is that they tolerate my nature for the sake of gaming.

 

[Rel]

As far as playing...I hate it.

I'm curious, what about it do you hate?

 

[diaglo]

I'm curious, what about it do you hate?

sure ask him that softball question....

edit: standard answer: http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=31914


real answer. as long as they are publishing the newer editions they won't be supporting the one i like.

 

[KB9JMQ]

Before 3E I was the only DM within a group of 8-10 people.
Now I have a group of 7 (myself included) and there are 4 DM's among us.
We trade off occasionaly but I run the games most often.

 

[The_Gneech]

sure ask him that softball question....

edit: standard answer: http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=31914


real answer. as long as they are publishing the newer editions they won't be supporting the one i like.

Um ... I think the idea is "What do you hate about playing vs. being the DM?" Not "Why do you have such a ridiculous hat on?"

-The Gneech

 

[diaglo]

Um ... I think the idea is "What do you hate about playing vs. being the DM?" Not "Why do you have such a ridiculous hat on?"

-The Gneech

[homer]D'oh.[/homer]

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

I'm curious, what about it do you hate?

First, to Diaglo - it's not an edition thing, just playing in general... (oops, I stepped away from my desk in midpost and did not see the subsequent "D'oh" that you had put forth)

Now, what do I hate? The lack of control is my primary reason. Selfish? Yes. Petty? Yes. But, it is also the truth. When I am a player, it isn't as much fun. I can handle one-shots, but if I am in a campaign I will lose interest. I like running the game. I love when the players have a fun and memorable experience. I do not like my lack of consistency or my strict self-analysis (I tend to change campaigns too often and I don't recover well from mistakes).

Other elements of playing that I dislike include poor GM experiences and poor player experiences. I also develop a general apathy to my character after a very short time. Finally, I am a rules lawyer (I don't mean to be, but I have been "that guy").

So, the combination of me not having fun and potentially reducing the enjoyment for my fellow players makes me a bad choice to be a player in a long-term campaign. My goal is to continue fixing my GMing weaknesses so that I don't become gameless...