Trapped DMs (Would rather be players)

[pogre]

At the risk of giving up the next big idea:

This coversation has led me to think surely a clever programmer could come up with a module that does not require a DM. Using an interface similar to the one over at Dire Kobold - you would just plug in your party. The Cpu would adjust the adventure accordingly, and off you would go with a video background to get you started. It still has a lot of shortcomings, but I think it's on the edge of something. Maybe the PCs could act as DM's for different capacities?

Nah - I like being a DM. Scrap this whole idea.

 

[baradtgnome]

yup, trapped. How to grow a DM?

Yup, I'm trapped. I used to split the DM duty with a good friend who has since moved to the other coast. Much of our group has been togother for 20+ years. One of the other tried to DM years ago (Saltmarsh) and it was an abysmal failure. The other doesn't want to try. We have some new blood. Both have indicated they would like to DM. One is currently splitting the duties with me (though not as experienced) and the other hasn't stepped up yet.

My preference is play 2/3 DM 1/3.

The question is, how do you encourage a new DM in the shadow of what they think is the experienced DM? I don't think I am the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I do a fairly good job and know the rules. I think I intimidate them.

Suggestions?

 

[Silver Moon]

Re: yup, trapped. How to grow a DM?

The question is, how do you encourage a new DM in the shadow of what they think is the experienced DM? I don't think I am the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I do a fairly good job and know the rules. I think I intimidate them.
Suggestions? [/B]

You've sort of answered your own question - what you do is ENCOURAGE THEM! Offer tips and suggestions along the way without dominating their ideas. As a player, be attentive and helpful, and encourage the other player's to do so as well. Most importantly, if the other players have a problem with his/her DM style, and come to you expecting you to do something about it, point out to the player(s) that everybody has their own style of DMing, and at least that person was willing to give it a try (unlike the one complaining).

 

[pogre]

Re: yup, trapped. How to grow a DM?

The question is, how do you encourage a new DM in the shadow of what they think is the experienced DM? I don't think I am the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I do a fairly good job and know the rules. I think I intimidate them.

Suggestions?

Have the potential DM form a new group with just four players. Maybe use a couple of the best ones out of your group and see if you could pick up a couple more newbies. Mixing up the group will allow them to have their own DMing style.

Encourage them by saying things like, "You know I admire your creativity as a player. I think you will be an awesome DM. Why not give it a shot?"

 

[Eosin the Red]

Well, chalk up another trapped DM.

I am kinda short on time and really needed to play after years in the saddle so I quit my face to face and started playing in a Birthright PBEM/PBP. It sucked to have to cut my table top game out but no one else would run.

Now the group is knee deep in what I hear is an excellent Champions game

The worst part is that I am seriously considering running a PBP/PBEM Birthright game myself?

 

[John Crichton]

I love to GM. I like to play sometimes but it usually just reminds me of why I GM. The only recent game I enjoyed as a player was @ AnonyCon where Pirate Cat ran a game. That was a ton of fun! I'm a really picky player and that is bad if I am not behind the screen. I am just so used to it. I am one of those players who needs constant attention or I get bored. I tend to either hog the spotlight or do next to nothing at all (usually when I'm having a bad day or tired), so it's probably better than I'm behind the screen most of the time.

It would be nice to have a consistant PC to run so I wouldn't have to GM all the time but I still enjoy doing it myself.

 

[baradtgnome]

Re: Re: yup, trapped. How to grow a DM?

Offer tips and suggestions along the way without dominating their ideas.

I have been doing so, my thinking has been the same as your suggestion. It is just that is a fine line to walk. I don't have complaining players, but they tend to try and get to the campaign/DM they know better.

Hey, I noticed you are from NH too!

 

[baradtgnome]

Re: Re: yup, trapped. How to grow a DM?

Have the potential DM form a new group with just four players.

We are challenged enough to find game time, so we don't exclude anyone. And the selfish goal for me is to have some play time.

But, your point on encouragement is well take.

 

[Silver Moon]

Re: Re: Re: yup, trapped. How to grow a DM?

Hey, I noticed you are from NH too!

Yeah, and if you attended any of the local conventions during the mid to late 1990's we've probably met. My wife and I were the RPGA Coordinators at several ConMan and Total Confusion gaming conventions.

Feel free to drop me an e-mail and I'll do the same - we can compare notes.

 

[SimonMoon5]

I used to be a trapped DM. The group I was gaming with for a while originally had lots of games running, with everybody running a game or two. Unfortunately, it turned out that none of the other DMs could keep a game running very long. Soon, it became apparent that many of the players couldn't DM in a way that would keep all the players happy... but I could. So, for the next decade or so, I was the only DM/GM, not counting the occasional game run by other players, which would never last for more than two or three sessions.

But then I moved, and joined a different gaming group, where everybody seems to want to run a game (well at least three out of six), so I can just sit back and *play* for a change.