Comments on: Johnny’s Five – Five Reasons To Sit On The Other Side Of The Screen Every Once In A While http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while The Game Mastering Blog Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ben robbins http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while/comment-page-1#comment-5425 ben robbins Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:13:40 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while#comment-5425 This is spot on. Nothing will highlight your own bad GMing habits than watching your players GM. Seriously. We started a <a href="http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/39/run-club/" rel="nofollow">Run Club</a>, and it while it was sometimes tragic to behold, it blossomed into more GMs and much better gaming all around. As the former de facto GM, I can't begin to tell you how educational it was.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('5425','ben robbins'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> This is spot on. Nothing will highlight your own bad GMing habits than watching your players GM. Seriously.

We started a Run Club, and it while it was sometimes tragic to behold, it blossomed into more GMs and much better gaming all around. As the former de facto GM, I can’t begin to tell you how educational it was.

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]]> By: Rafe http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while/comment-page-1#comment-5416 Rafe Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:47:47 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while#comment-5416 <a href='#comment-5414' rel="nofollow">@John Arcadian</a> - Yeah, because it's Burning Wheel, I generally come to the table with a list of their Beliefs and Instincts (with some ideas maybe jotted down on how to challenge them), an NPC or two (if they're needed) and off we go. Due to the nature of the game (which you and other Gnomes may already know), players have tonnes of control over the fiction: They can introduce and name NPCs (successful Circles test and they say "There's an old man by the name of Rilan who is a former army scout who lives on this mountain") or shape the world and story by using a 'wise' skill (Rumor-wise: "I've heard that a man by the name of Gilrige is buying up merchant debts in the Warrens and his debtors are feeling uneasy..."). I freakin' love it. Back on topic: I totally agree it's tough to refrain from giving advice or whatnot. Some games encourage that (as I wrote about just above) but others are more "behind the screen." I'm lucky in that I have not one but two former GMs in my BW game and they let me make mistakes, etc. They really embrace being players and not backseat GMs, so kudos. Having been there myself... it's sometimes tough not to open my trap. :)<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('5416','Rafe'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> @John Arcadian – Yeah, because it’s Burning Wheel, I generally come to the table with a list of their Beliefs and Instincts (with some ideas maybe jotted down on how to challenge them), an NPC or two (if they’re needed) and off we go.

Due to the nature of the game (which you and other Gnomes may already know), players have tonnes of control over the fiction: They can introduce and name NPCs (successful Circles test and they say “There’s an old man by the name of Rilan who is a former army scout who lives on this mountain”) or shape the world and story by using a ‘wise’ skill (Rumor-wise: “I’ve heard that a man by the name of Gilrige is buying up merchant debts in the Warrens and his debtors are feeling uneasy…”). I freakin’ love it.

Back on topic: I totally agree it’s tough to refrain from giving advice or whatnot. Some games encourage that (as I wrote about just above) but others are more “behind the screen.” I’m lucky in that I have not one but two former GMs in my BW game and they let me make mistakes, etc. They really embrace being players and not backseat GMs, so kudos. Having been there myself… it’s sometimes tough not to open my trap. :)

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]]> By: Scott Martin http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while/comment-page-1#comment-5415 Scott Martin Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:44:20 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while#comment-5415 I'm lucky to be one GM in a group of several, in both groups that I play in. In my home group, we're just starting up a Serenity game run by a player that we'll play every other week beside our current 3.5 game that I'm leading. I'm very excited about character and concept-- it's a good feeling. That rush when you're sifting character possibilities is wonderful... and easy to forget from the other side of the screen.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('5415','Scott Martin'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I’m lucky to be one GM in a group of several, in both groups that I play in. In my home group, we’re just starting up a Serenity game run by a player that we’ll play every other week beside our current 3.5 game that I’m leading.

I’m very excited about character and concept– it’s a good feeling. That rush when you’re sifting character possibilities is wonderful… and easy to forget from the other side of the screen.

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]]> By: John Arcadian http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while/comment-page-1#comment-5414 John Arcadian Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:28:22 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while#comment-5414 <a href='#comment-5412' rel="nofollow">@Cole</a> - Did he not use any setting at all, or not use a setting that was pre-made? I know a lot of GMs who will start adding details on the fly, but have an idea of the setting beforehand. Description has always been a tricky point for me. I either want to flood description to immerse, or rely on outside examples and pictures, then let my players minds do the rest. I also try to ask them to describe some of the setting as well. "How do you see this dungeon?", after I've given a general feel. <a href='#comment-5413' rel="nofollow">@Rafe</a> - The way you GM is the way I generally GM. I think some prep has to be done, but no plan survives implementation, so why try to reign it all in. Let the game write itself at the table, incorporate player flags and work with what is going on right in front of you.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('5414','John Arcadian'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> @Cole – Did he not use any setting at all, or not use a setting that was pre-made? I know a lot of GMs who will start adding details on the fly, but have an idea of the setting beforehand. Description has always been a tricky point for me. I either want to flood description to immerse, or rely on outside examples and pictures, then let my players minds do the rest. I also try to ask them to describe some of the setting as well. “How do you see this dungeon?”, after I’ve given a general feel.

@Rafe – The way you GM is the way I generally GM. I think some prep has to be done, but no plan survives implementation, so why try to reign it all in. Let the game write itself at the table, incorporate player flags and work with what is going on right in front of you.

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]]> By: Rafe http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while/comment-page-1#comment-5413 Rafe Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:07:46 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while#comment-5413 I GM Burning Wheel and play in a D&D 4e game and a Mouse Guard game. The funny thing is that, yes, I gain a different perspective, but I actually enjoy GMing more. However, that wouldn't be true for D&D or Mouse Guard. I just love the role that GMs play in Burning Wheel. I don't want to direct everything, do hours of prep, be the proactive one or guess if people will be engaged. I want to facilitate fun for the players but want <b>them</b> to drive things. I'll complicate situations and keep them happy by banging away on the facets I know about them (Beliefs and Instincts).<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('5413','Rafe'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I GM Burning Wheel and play in a D&D 4e game and a Mouse Guard game. The funny thing is that, yes, I gain a different perspective, but I actually enjoy GMing more.

However, that wouldn’t be true for D&D or Mouse Guard. I just love the role that GMs play in Burning Wheel. I don’t want to direct everything, do hours of prep, be the proactive one or guess if people will be engaged. I want to facilitate fun for the players but want them to drive things. I’ll complicate situations and keep them happy by banging away on the facets I know about them (Beliefs and Instincts).

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]]> By: Cole http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while/comment-page-1#comment-5412 Cole Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:54:28 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while#comment-5412 Joining in as player is a great learning experience. I remember this one GM that really did a great job at describing the world we were in. He didn't use any setting, mostly because he had such a fertile mind. I think a setting would actually limit what he could do. I could see everything in the world though his words. It was an amazing experience. That lasted only one session, but it was enough to teach me a lot about how to describe the world on my campaigns.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('5412','Cole'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> Joining in as player is a great learning experience. I remember this one GM that really did a great job at describing the world we were in. He didn’t use any setting, mostly because he had such a fertile mind. I think a setting would actually limit what he could do. I could see everything in the world though his words. It was an amazing experience.

That lasted only one session, but it was enough to teach me a lot about how to describe the world on my campaigns.

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]]> By: John Arcadian http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while/comment-page-1#comment-5411 John Arcadian Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:55:23 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while#comment-5411 <a href='#comment-5408' rel="nofollow">@LesInk</a> & <a href='#comment-5410' rel="nofollow">@Kameron</a> - You're definitely both right. The more time spent as the sole GM of the group, the more inflated a sense of your own Game Mastering skills you get. Everytime I get someone else in my group to step up to the GM's plate, I have to restrain myself from giving advice on the way I would do it. Sometimes they ask for it, but I think it is generally better to let a person forge their own path. I always love it when my players try GMing, and it is generally the time when I learn the most about GMing. <a href='#comment-5409' rel="nofollow">@The_Gun_Nut</a> - It's always interesting to move from GM to player and have a different Genre/game style being played. I was running an Eberron 3.5 game, then it moved to one buddy running a Star Wars west end and then an old school W.o.D. game. Major shifts in thinking had to be done. The 150 watt vs flashlight is one of the best analogies that I've ever heard ala GMing, and its all thanks to Martin.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('5411','John Arcadian'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> @LesInk & @Kameron – You’re definitely both right. The more time spent as the sole GM of the group, the more inflated a sense of your own Game Mastering skills you get. Everytime I get someone else in my group to step up to the GM’s plate, I have to restrain myself from giving advice on the way I would do it. Sometimes they ask for it, but I think it is generally better to let a person forge their own path. I always love it when my players try GMing, and it is generally the time when I learn the most about GMing.

@The_Gun_Nut – It’s always interesting to move from GM to player and have a different Genre/game style being played. I was running an Eberron 3.5 game, then it moved to one buddy running a Star Wars west end and then an old school W.o.D. game. Major shifts in thinking had to be done.

The 150 watt vs flashlight is one of the best analogies that I’ve ever heard ala GMing, and its all thanks to Martin.

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]]> By: Kameron http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while/comment-page-1#comment-5410 Kameron Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:10:37 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while#comment-5410 I just started playing in a new 4E game. This is perhaps only the third or fourth time I've been a player in my 25 years of gaming, and the first time it will (hopefully) last longer than a couple sessions. I'm really interested in seeing how another GM does things, and what I might learn. Like LesInk, I'll admit to a somewhat inflated opinion of my GMing skills due to the length of time I've spent behind the screen. ;)<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('5410','Kameron'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I just started playing in a new 4E game. This is perhaps only the third or fourth time I’ve been a player in my 25 years of gaming, and the first time it will (hopefully) last longer than a couple sessions. I’m really interested in seeing how another GM does things, and what I might learn. Like LesInk, I’ll admit to a somewhat inflated opinion of my GMing skills due to the length of time I’ve spent behind the screen. ;)
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]]> By: The_Gun_Nut http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while/comment-page-1#comment-5409 The_Gun_Nut Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:31:01 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while#comment-5409 Every two weeks I run my custom psionics campaign (which I worked on, on and off, for about three years) for a very satisfying release (it's done!). Every other week I'm PLAYING Exalted. There are things my friend running Exalted does that are obvious to me as a GM, and some things that are not. For some of it I just want to point out what's going on, but then I get surprised because it's not my game. The 150 watt lamp/flashlight analogy is pretty spot on, and I sometimes forget which one I'm carrying. It's great to get out from behind the screen and just focus on one character.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('5409','The_Gun_Nut'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> Every two weeks I run my custom psionics campaign (which I worked on, on and off, for about three years) for a very satisfying release (it’s done!). Every other week I’m PLAYING Exalted. There are things my friend running Exalted does that are obvious to me as a GM, and some things that are not. For some of it I just want to point out what’s going on, but then I get surprised because it’s not my game. The 150 watt lamp/flashlight analogy is pretty spot on, and I sometimes forget which one I’m carrying. It’s great to get out from behind the screen and just focus on one character.
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]]> By: LesInk http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while/comment-page-1#comment-5408 LesInk Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:41:11 +0000 http://www.gnomestew.com/johnnys-five/johnnys-five-five-reasons-to-sit-on-the-other-side-of-the-screen-every-once-in-a-while#comment-5408 I know this is going to sound egotistical, but maybe it is. I played recently and realized that someone else in the group really CAN do a good job of GMing. Being the GM for too long can sometimes warp your mind into thinking you are "the only one". It's a bit humbling, but perhaps that was a good sign that I needed a break and to enjoy the fruits of someone elses creative mind's eye.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('5408','LesInk'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I know this is going to sound egotistical, but maybe it is. I played recently and realized that someone else in the group really CAN do a good job of GMing. Being the GM for too long can sometimes warp your mind into thinking you are “the only one”. It’s a bit humbling, but perhaps that was a good sign that I needed a break and to enjoy the fruits of someone elses creative mind’s eye.
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