What's it like to DM?

[Crothian]

This place has a good mix of players. We have the new guys, the people who have been playing for a few years to a decade, to those that started in the 70's. Heck, every now and then we are blessed with the presence of the father of RPGs.

But while experince is important, its not the only thing that makes a good gamer, or even a good DM. It helps, but it can be compinsated for. And everyone was new to the hobby at some point.

 

[Regal Worm of Slopp]

"father of RPGs"???

 

[Henry]

Woah...u guys really DO know your stuff......DM-ing since '84? wow...i been playin since Dec '03! oh yeah!

I've DM'ed Dungeons and Dragons since 1981, one poster (named Diaglo) has played since 1976 or so, and one of the game's creators still hangs around this board occasionally (though his experiences he posts out concerning old D&D you would barely recognize compared to the current game). There are a lot of exceptionally cool people online to learn from, especially here, and I still learn tips and tricks for good playing AND good DM'ing to this day.

 

[Henry]

"father of RPGs"???

Man named Gary Gygax posts as "Col_Pladoh" every now and again - less so since he had a recent turn of health - but if you look for our Archives Forum you'll see a bunch of threads marked "Q&A with Gary Gygax" - he's a great guy to talk to.

 

[Crothian]

"father of RPGs"???

The original RPG was created by Gary Gygax back in the early 70's. He created D&D.

edit: Henry Henry beat me to it.....

 

[Regal Worm of Slopp]

Thats good.....I imagine the game would not be the same today if it werent for the 'net and threads

 

[erian_7]

lol....ummm...the main h=thing is i am curious about is what do you do if the players dont do what you want? how do you incorporate things if the players did somethim differently than you imagined? how do you make it feel real (the world)? how do you make sure that the players do the right thing to start an adventure? how does anything ever work out when the players dont truly (though they may have an idea) know what the adventure requires them to do? i know that this uncertanty is the essence of the game, but how do you, as the DM, make sure it all works out???

First thing...don't "want" the players to do anything other than have fun. You'll see folks here talk about "railroading" some times. Basically forcing players down a path because it's what the DM wants. This usually ends up with all partys unhappy.

The answer for me to reacting to the unexpected, making the world feel real, and having everything "work out" is knowing my "world." For a new DM, that world should start small--a town with a nearby wilderness and some ruins. You can then become familiar with each person in the town, the general layout of the whole land, etc. Keep the environment similar to where you live, as it's harder to realistically portray someplace with which you have no experience. Use your own experiences to create people, situations, etc. that could logically happen (well, as logically as possible when you've got magic involved). As you grow more comfortable in this "world" expand it out to include another nearby village, perhaps of another race. Throw in a cavern complex nearby, and some bandits on the road between the to areas.

Now, for "doing the right thing" and getting the adventure started, I think one of the keys is knowing both the players and their characters. Getting players to work a background up helps them connect with the character and helps the DM place plot hooks, hints, etc. in the game. Then as the characters grow and become immersed in the world, the DM builds new hooks, hints, etc. around that growth.

 

[Talmun]

DMing is one of the most fun activities I've ever done.

Ever since I first heard about D&D (in one of those Christian anti-D&D books in the 80s) I knew it was something I would love...fortunately I had cousins who played and patiently put up with all my questions - "How do you kill a dragon?". Finally I got my chance to play and DM in the same week at boy scout camp (stifle that snickering); I was hooked.

For me, the fun in DMing is putting together a story and watching the players have fun working through it and change it in the process. Then there is the great enjoyment of just hanging out and socializing with people you like and respect.

DMing is actually more fun than playing for me (despite my complaining about not getting to play).

 

[Henry]

The original RPG was created by Gary Gygax back in the early 70's. He created D&D.

edit: Henry Henry beat me to it.....

I am.... the MAN!

I'll quit now.

 

[Crothian]

Thats good.....I imagine the game would not be the same today if it werent for the 'net and threads

THe internet has really changed the gaming scene to some extent. Most gamers proably do not have access or do not use the net in this way, but I know for a fact my gaming abilities have increased a lot becasue of the internet...and mostly becasue of EN World.