Poll: DM, GM, or Other?

[Glyfair]

Typically, I use "GM" 'cause only D&D has "Dungeon Masters" (really, it's the only RPG that uses said term). Thus, I use the term "DM" when I'm talking about D&D but the term "GM" when I'm talking about nearly any other game.

In fact, it's been trademarked since the beginning, IIRC, so no other game could use it. That's why so many RPGs have their own term for the role.

Personally, I prefer GM because it applies to all RPGs. Sometimes I use DM, but I think it was mostly to avoid a couple of pains that hung around here at one point and complained when someone didn't use the DM term.

I also like GM better than the other "generic" terms (judge, referee).

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I use DM because I'm old skool like that.

 

[Sejs]

I alternate between DM and GM randomly. Honestly, I don't pay that much attention to my useage of the terms.

 

[jdrakeh]

In fact, it's been trademarked since the beginning, IIRC, so no other game could use it.

It's only been around since AD&D, I think. My copies of the original three OD&D booklets (from the brown box) refer to a "referee" rather than the familiar "Dungeon Master".

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I voted "Other."

I refer to someone running D&D as DM or Dungeon Master.

For all other systems, I use GM or Game Master.

"Referees" wear stripey shirts and blow on whistles.

 

[Shadowslayer]

Bah...DM all the way. It got so ingrained that I still use it now, even when I'm playing something else.

 

[Nyaricus]

I'd prefer to be called "Game Master", but I've unfortunatly ingrained DM into my players brains before I fully realised my preference.

In any case, when explaining my role as DM to non-gamers, I say "I'm the DM, or 'Dungeon Mater'. Basically, it a role which is part storyteller, part referee, part organiser. You tell stories to a gorup of players, who go off on half-crazy, high-risk adventures for gold, blood and glory, fighting evil and killing monsters along the way in a world that is kinda like the Lord of the Rings."

So, even while I call myself DM mostly, I identify myself as being (both to myself and others) as soemthing a little bit more sane than a S&M Master, IYKWIMAITYD

cheers,
--N

 

[Gentlegamer]

It's only been around since AD&D, I think. My copies of the original three OD&D booklets (from the brown box) refer to a "referee" rather than the familiar "Dungeon Master".

The Stategic Review and early The Dragon refered to the "Dungeonmaster," so the basic term had an early genesis.

***************

It depends on the game, but the following are all acceptable to me:
referee
judge
game master
Dungeon Master
Castle Keeper

Under no circumstance can I stomach being called "Storyteller" or "Narrator" . . .

 

[Mauricio Pezzotta]

Maurício.

 

[Aus_Snow]

GM.

That is the term literally *all* the GMs I know locally use. And that is quite a few GMs.