Posts Tagged ‘GMing’

11 GMing Tips I Learned from Being a...

Posted on Jun 25 2010 | 2 Comments
11 GMing Tips I Learned from Being a Parent Sometimes running a game feels like herding a group of toddlers through the glassware department of  a department store while carrying an armload of wet cats. While most of the time players act like the responsible adults... Read More »

Games…Must Have Games…

Posted on May 28 2010 | 1 Comment
Games…Must Have Games… I hate gaming dry spells. I think the longest period I’ve gone without gaming was two years, if you’re talking about actually sitting at the table, either as GM or player. If you’re counting game preparation... Read More »

Product Review: Kobold Quarterly #11

Posted on Nov 02 2009 | 4 Comments
I thumbed through my advanced copy of KQ #11 (okay, since it’s a PDF, I didn’t exactly thumb – more paged down through) — the first issue of KQ I’d ever seen, and started to feel the excitement I used to have when looking through early issues of Dragon magazine. 15 articles (counting Maps and Free City), 9 of which I could immediately... Read More »

21 Sure-Fire Ways to Lose Players

Posted on Oct 23 2009 | 2 Comments
Problem players are a perennial subject on GMing blogs. But problems can go both ways. Here are some GM behaviors guaranteed to cause friction in your group. Please feel free to add more. Force your PCs into a predetermined plot line and refuse to let them deviate from it. View the players as opponents to be beaten. Don’t listen to player suggestions.... Read More »

What GMs Really Want (Poll)

Posted on Oct 07 2009 | 3 Comments
As a GM, what information are you looking for? What kinds of topics would help you run your game better? Where do you find yourself struggling? What ideas do you want to see more of? Take the poll below and tell me! <br /> <a href=”http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/2088406/” mce_href=”http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/2088406/”>What... Read More »

Handling Problem Players

Posted on Sep 17 2009 | 1 Comment
Handling Problem Players We all get them: the incessant rules lawyer who challenges your every call; the “loopholer” who will exploit everything not nailed down in the rules to gain that extra +1 advantage; the player who takes everything... Read More »

What Do You Like Best and Least Abou...

Posted on Aug 18 2009 | 2 Comments
Last week, I asked for your opinions on what you liked best about being a GM and what you liked least. A couple of you responded and here are your answers: The Best Things: From Sean Holland: “… there is nothing better than seeing the world come alive through the players’ eyes and actions. It makes all the work worthwhile.” From ATerribleIdea:... Read More »

Player Contributions, Take Two

Posted on Aug 12 2009 | 1 Comment
Player Contributions was one of my earliest posts to this blog. I’ve learned so much about blogging since then, I’ve decided to update it. What are player contributions? The Amber Diceless RPG introduced me to player contributions. The idea is simple: You get added points for your character if you agree to do something helpful for the GM every game... Read More »

Question: What’s the best and ...

Posted on Aug 11 2009 | 1 Comment
[Inkwell Ideas has posted a blog readers survey. Please take a few minutes to fill it out; it helps us blog authors know a little more about the kinds of things you like to see in RPG blogs.] What are the best and worst things about being a GM? For me, the best thing is watching my players take my game and run with it. Nothing gives me more enjoyment then watching... Read More »