The DM screen actually increased my participation!

[Asmor]

Yesterday I was playing in the first game of a new campaign, taking place in the basement of a comic store that's set up for running CCG tournaments. We pushed 4 long tables together to make an uber table. This was the first time I've really used a DM screen before, because even on a very large dining room table with all the leaves/extensions in, it always takes up way too much room...

The battle mat was set up right in front of my DM screen and you know what? It actually made me participate more in the game. I spent most of the time standing up just so I could see what the hell was going on on the other side, and since I was already standing it was easy to walk around and manipulate things more directly. Not to mention the fact that the mere act of standing is more conducive to maintaining a proactive attitude. It's easy to start falling asleep when you sit in a chair, but when you're standing up it gets your blood flowing!

Anyone else have a similar experience? Seems like most people who don't use DM screens don't like them because they feel it seperates them from the players... But I have to disagree.

 

[Crothian]

I don't think it was the screen, it was you standing up.

I don't use screens but I do tend to stand when I DM.

 

[blargney the second]

I like standing when DMing as well.

 

[Asmor]

I don't usually stand when I DM, and I can trace the fact that I was directly to the screen... The only reason I was standing was because all the action was happening just a few inches in front of the screen and I couldn't see anything.

So, no, not literally the screen, but it is what made me stand up.

 

[Ry]

Yay! Standing GMs stand up and be counted!

 

[Clueless]

I'm usually exhausted at the end of a game for just this reason. I DM standing. I DM walking. I DM while crouching down beside a player's seat for a chit-chat with their paid informant, full body acting. I DM looking over the players shoulders while they freak out that I just rolled a Spot check for them and went 'hm'....

Sitting just doesn't cut it for me.

 

[Mark CMG]

I often stand or sit on something elevated like a high stool. When all they can see of you is from the neck up, you're selling yourself short.

 

[jaerdaph]

As GM I expect to be carried by the players around the table on a litter.

 

[Fishbone]

Sitting for 4 hours can sometimes tire me out, I couldn't imagine standing, pacing, and making arm gestures for 4 hours. In the town that I used to live this DM would have open game night and he'd get totally into it. It was like watching one man theater every Thursday. Totally badass. If you can do that more power to you but its not for me.

 

[Erywin]

I like standing when DMing as well.

I don't know if this is due to the fact that we routinely run short of chairs and table space or that your ass is just not conducive to sitting Honestly I would just like more room in my kitchen to not feel soo crammed in when all seven of us get together