Comments on: Be Conscious and Reflective When You GM: Seven Maxims for Game Masters

By: Bookkeeper

Bookkeeper — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:44:18 +0000

Thanks so much for this. I think I just rounded up the last two players for my new campaign so I'll stick these rules up somewhere as I work!

By: Swordgleam

Swordgleam — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:19:42 +0000

I almost think 5 should be first, though I have no idea if these are in any particular order. My current campaign is one that came with a lot of disclaimers, since I was new to both the system, and the tone I was shooting for. I've learned a lot more from this campaign than from any other, and most of what I've learned is, "Wow, I really can do that if I try."

By: Martin Ralya

Martin Ralya — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:25:04 +0000

@BryanB - Yep -- when you can get it, constructive player feedback is pure gold. I find most players are either reticent to give it or don't tend to provide much when they do. It's always appreciated, but the gems are the folks who will tell you exactly what they think while still respecting the work you've put into the game. @Samuel Van Der Wall - You're not solely responsible, though. The traditional model has the GM being largely responsible, but I prefer to think of us as players with a different set of responsibilities. In a good group, ideally your players are also thinking about how to make the game more fun for everyone else at the table.

By: Samuel Van Der Wall

Samuel Van Der Wall — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:49:01 +0000

Those are some great rules. I'll have to use that as my mantra when I start my next campaign. GM'ing can be really tough. It's a lot easier just to show up each session. When you're responsible for the fun of the group, that's a lot bigger burden on your shoulders.

By: BryanB

BryanB — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:46:17 +0000

I am my own worst critic, BUT this has the benefit of helping me reflect on what went well, alright, or not so good. The list is good but I might add: Allow yourself to receive constructive criticism from the players, although this may be part of what you meant by learning from both sides of the screen. Certainly, we can see what works well when we are playing in a game as a player. I like getting feedback from the players when I GM though. This helps me improve and it lets me see what they thought went well or it lets me know what I could have done better.

By: itliaf

itliaf — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:30:36 +0000

I have a tendency to overplan, and then be a bit hard on myself after each session over small details of my plans I inevitably forget to include in each session. Rule #7 is a handy little piece of advice in this case to make fewer notes, find a better way to organize my notes, and move on.

By: Brent

Brent — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:43:49 +0000

Great list! Gotta think about that. Yeah, since the players so often get excited and start rushing, it's easy for the GM to follow suit.