Take, take, and take and never DM. What do players bring to a gaming group?

[FireLance]

My gaming group's policy is that almost everyone takes turns to DM. In our current group of five, we have three ongoing campaigns and one on temporary hiatus. We believe that experience on both sides of the screen makes you a better player and DM.

 

[happyelf]

Bingo.
Came close to quitting gaming altogether last weekend because I was extremely frustrated with my group playing possum. Five guys sitting around staring at each other, looking confused. At the very least, they could have started by discussing what had happened and what they thought was happening in the game. That might have brought some ideas out in the open.

Yeah, stuff like this wears on the GM for a lot of reasons. It's not just a matter of the GM doing all the work- it can be a big emotional drain on anyone to try and put energy and enthusiasm back into a situation like that.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Just to echo other people in this thread, and at the risk of sounding naive, the "Bugaboo Friends Network" was a joke right?

As for my thoughts on the topic, I think the majority of GM's are undervalued by their players. The amount of work the players do compared to a GM is miniscule. I haven't GM'ed for very long but I don't think I have ever been thanked by a player for the effort that I put in to the game. A little thanks can go a long way sometimes.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Captain Howdy]

I am the only DM in my group, and I haven't been a player in an adventure for about 4 years now. While none of my players have ever actually thanked me, I always get compliments from them. Even if they are indirect compliments like, "Oh, I kinda want to DM, but Jim's campaigns are always better."

And the number one thing I like is when my players start getting all nostalgic while talking about cool things they did, or cool adventures that they liked that I ran in the past. Nothing is nicer than when we are watching a movie and someone will say something to the effect of "Wow, that was awesome, it reminded me of that time we were fighting the blah blah blah in that D&D adventure a few years ago!"

Fun memories are why I DM, and even without direct thank-you's, I get satisfaction and I know it's worth the work I put into it...

...Plus they buy me miniatures sometimes.

 

[Elf Witch]

After reading some of these comments I am a little amazed. It really does feel as if I am reading a pity party from DMs.

No body puts a gun to your head and say you have to run you choose to run the game. I know several DMs you just can't let go of the control enough to play.

A DM is nothing without his players the same way a player is nothing without a DM.

Maybe players don't say the words thank you enough but as one poster pointed out players often show it in other ways.

I think most players know that it is a tough job to be the DM that they are putting in more work than the players.

I am sure their are prats out there who so self centered they may not realize that but I don't think that is true of most players.

I am just getting my own game going and I have put in a lot of hours getting the campaign ready to go. I have enjoyed the work so far ,I really can't wait to get started.

If as a DM you are feeling stress or not appreciated then maybe you need to evaluate why you feel this way is it possible you need a break from behind the screen. Maybe you need to be a player again.

One of the things that bugs me the most with a DM is one that is feeling burned out but does not bother to open his mouth and say something. He expects us the players to be reading his mind.

Open your mouth tell us you need a break let someone else take a turn behind the screen if noone else is able to then play board games for awhile. But don't play the martyr.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Good players bring the same thing to the table that good DMs do: fun.

While DMs may often be expected to put in more work, the end contribution of all participants in a D&D game is the same: fun for all.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

No body puts a gun to your head and say you have to run you choose to run the game. I know several DMs you just can't let go of the control enough to play.

While you are technically correct, I'd like you to consider my current DM. At one point a while back, I asked him whether he preferred to play, or DM. His response was that if he didn't DM, he'd never get a chance to play D&D at all. So he DM'd. Not that he hated it, mind you. But it was simply the only avenue through which he could participate in D&D at all. So while yes, nobody forces a DM to do so, there are some DMs out there who are compelled into the role, simply because nobody else will accept it. It's DM or nothing.

If as a DM you are feeling stress or not appreciated then maybe you need to evaluate why you feel this way is it possible you need a break from behind the screen. Maybe you need to be a player again.

If only this were always an option.

But don't play the martyr.

Aren't you being a bit melodramatic?

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Potato Chips, the occasional bottle of Coke, that sort of thing?

What the players usually bring is enthusiasm. That's not bad. They bring respect, which is vital, too (bad-mouthing the DM destroys the fun).

I don't think the "taking turns at DMing" is such a good idea in every situation: Not everyone is fit for being DM. Not everyone would want it. And I say that the worst thing that can happen is a DM who hates being the DM. That isn't fun for anyone. So I encourage them to make a one-shot or something, but if no one wants, no one wants.

I did manage to get one of my players to run a game alternately with mine. He needs to learn a lot, but he's doing alright.

And I don't mind DMing for them. I'm not really a DM born (our old DM was like that, but unfortunately he can't DM anymore because of his studies), but every week, they come back for more, and seem to have a lot of fun. Mind you, it's all capital chaps at the table, we never mind getting off track and talking about whatever crosses our minds.

 

[FireLance]

I don't think the "taking turns at DMing" is such a good idea in every situation: Not everyone is fit for being DM. Not everyone would want it. And I say that the worst thing that can happen is a DM who hates being the DM. That isn't fun for anyone. So I encourage them to make a one-shot or something, but if no one wants, no one wants.

It depends on whether you think DMing requires natural talent (either you have it, or you don't) or takes skill (which can be learned). Our group tends to believe the latter, and we like the philosophy of "taking the DM out of the equation" because it makes the job of DMing much easier.

 

[Nightchilde-2]

It is my impression that most D&D players never DM. Most games would never happen at all without these folks.

DMing may occasionally be thankless, but without dedicated players, the game would be soulless.

QFT.

However, it would be nice if everyone in the group would buy their own copy of at least the core player rulebook for each game we play. It'd sure shave a lot of time off of looking things up..