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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Retreater" data-source="post: 9574209" data-attributes="member: 42040">True. I've rarely been happy with the hobby since I started coming here and discussing it - which has been almost 20 years. I think it's easy for me to over-analyze companies, systems, adventures, my group, and my own GMing skills to the point of becoming unhappy. It was easier to be satisfied when I didn't know the metrics others use. And probably to an extent, I expect the gaming hobby to do more heavy lifting in my happiness and life satisfaction than it can reasonably provide. Ultimately, I think I want what others want: a fun social activity I can help provide to a group of friends on a mostly weekly basis. I don't have a "fun meter" for my friends, but I do watch their behavior. Are they engaged? Do they laugh or get excited? Do they high-five or exclaim when they get a good result? Do they groan when their plan fails? Do they remember anything about the game from week-to-week? Do they talk to me outside the game or thank me for running it? Do they consider plans for their characters - whether story goals or level up rewards? So yes, I am often thinking about how to improve a game and see more of this behavior. Our current Savage Worlds game isn't the best, but I can tell it's providing some enjoyment. Sure, I'd like it to be better, but we can make it work for a bit. But the 4e game was a special breed of misery. It nearly broke me on this hobby. Honestly, if my players didn't encourage me to come back, I was done. After each game I would have to sit with a bourbon and call up a fellow DM friend for encouragement.</blockquote>

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