D&D General Why do you prefer DMing over Playing?

[TheAlkaizer]

The truth is that I personally don't really enjoy playing TTRPGs. It's not like I don't understand, I see why people enjoy it. But I don't. I don't dislike it, but it's very meh. I'm a forever DM and I'm pretty critical of other DMs around me (I won't tell them) but I think I just never played with a DM that fit the type of game I wanted to play (and the type of game I run!).

But DMing is very, very different. I enjoy it because it synergizes a lot with many of my other hobbies (mapmaking, history, design, etc) and it's a great creative outlet that lets me feel productive. Also, the reason I became a game designer is because the best feeling is working on a game, put it in someone's hands and see them have fun, smile and laugh. I get that feeling every week or so with DMing!

 

[Cadence]

I like both, but I'm a storyteller by heart and someone who like the whole collaborative storytelling thing.

I greatly prefer being a player if I have a DM and fellow players who are all working in a way that lets me get into my character's story. If that isn't the case, then I'd rather DM.

 

[pogre]

I prefer DMing because I enjoy adjudicating and entertaining.

I also prefer a much faster pace than most.

The only reason I play is to gain insight to improve my DMing.

I also like to draw maps

 

[This Effin’ GM]

I’m all about that limitless power and punishing my friends through the game for minor grievances in every day life.

didn’t come to my kids 1st birthday? Whoops, looks like all the bad guys are targeting your character Tuesday ya jerk.

 

[Umbran]

I don't actually prefer GMing. I just prefer running a game to having no game run at all.

Edit to add: I would probably also prefer running a game to playing a game I was unhappy with - but the situation hasn't come up in a long time.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

I mostly DM, enjoying both the prep leading up to a session and the improv required at the table when the players make first contact with my plans!

I also really like playing, enjoying both the prep leading up to a session (are you listening other players out there?) and the improv required at the table when the DM throws some wacky scenario at us.

The caveat about playing is that I enjoy it most when the DM runs the game in a reasonably similar manner as I would.

 

[TerraDave]

Somewhere between the power tripping and not having a better creative outlet.

Oh, and the ego--since we think do it better than anyone else.






Hmm, maybe I could have worded that differently.

 

[R_J_K75]

I don't necessarily prefer either, but I know the difference regardless of if I'm a DM or a PC between a good game and bad one. I consider myself akin to Paul McCartney when it comes to DMing, I usually have to because I'm the most willing, reliable, creative and able to do it. It just falls onto me; kind of like Paul was elected to play the bass in the Beatles because no one else wanted to.

As an aside, reminds me of a quote by John Lennon. Im paraphrasing but when asked in an interview if Ringo Starr was the best drummer for the Beatles Johns response was I dont even think hes the best drummer in the Beatles.

So sometimes within a group of people you know your place and do your job.

 

[Malmuria]

I like DMing for the same reason I like hosting people for a party. It's nice to be able to provide the context in which your friends can have fun. I also like trying new systems and different kinds of scenarios, which usually means being the one to learn and run them. I usually feel bad as a DM when I feel that people didn't have fun, or when they didn't like a new system.

I like being a player because I can experience someone else's imagination (if they built the world or scenario) and don't have to worry about as many things while playing.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Personally...I actually think I prefer playing. But it's hard to find groups, so I very rarely play. If I had had more opportunities to play, it might be a different story. Because I really do love creating worlds and coming up with clever cosmology and events and antagonists. I really do love it when I hear that "oooooh!" voice from my players about someone or something. That is a lot of fun.

But...I really also want to explore some individual character stories. I want to have that feeling of triumph and discovery, and be the one told "you have done well, my good and faithful servant." I have had tragically few opportunities to do that.