{"id":1295,"date":"2011-07-29T18:34:44","date_gmt":"2011-07-29T22:34:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rpggm.com\/blog\/?p=1295"},"modified":"2011-07-29T18:35:47","modified_gmt":"2011-07-29T22:35:47","slug":"when-it%e2%80%99s-your-turn-to-play-how-to-go-from-being-a-gm-to-a-player","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rpggm.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/29\/when-it%e2%80%99s-your-turn-to-play-how-to-go-from-being-a-gm-to-a-player\/","title":{"rendered":"When it\u2019s Your Turn to Play: How to go from being a GM to a player"},"content":{"rendered":"

GMing can be an all-consuming task. Players outnumber GMs, so we often get put in a situation where our group will say \u201cWe want to play [fill in new game here]. Will you run it?\u201d But sometimes, even if you primarily GM, you\u2019ll get a chance to actually sit in the player\u2019s chair for a change.<\/p>\n

Sitting the player\u2019s chair can be a challenge for someone who primarily GMs. We\u2019re so used to having the final say in game matters, that we tend to (usually unintentionally) act as if we\u2019re in charge of this game. This tends to lead to bad feelings with rest of the group and the newly-minted player returns to her GM screen, vowing to never set foot out from it again.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a shame, because GMs can offer a lot to a game when they play. They often have great ideas for overcoming obstacles (after all, they\u2019re used to setting them), and can be a source of great help to the current GM, especially if he\u2019s new to that side of the table. Plus, it\u2019s good for a GM to remember what it feels like to be a player, from time to time.<\/p>\n

Below are some guidelines on how to behave when it\u2019s someone else\u2019s turn in the GM chair:<\/p>\n

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  1. Never give GMing advice unless specifically asked.<\/strong> GMing has a steep learning curve. It takes months (do I dare say \u201cyears\u201d?) to learn to manage all the tasks required to run a good game; this can only come with practice. While it\u2019s hard to watch someone struggle through learning to GM, it\u2019s necessary. He has to learn, just like you did. Giving unsolicited advice just upsets the other GM and is often interpreted as a vote of no confidence in his GMing ability.<\/li>\n
  2. If you find yourself saying \u201cIn my game…,\u201d stop talking.<\/strong> Unless it\u2019s during a break and you\u2019re relating a story about something funny that happened in your game, these are fighting words. Remember, this is not<\/em> your<\/em> game. Every GM is entitled to run her game her own way; just because it\u2019s different from yours doesn\u2019t make it bad. Acknowledge (to yourself) that it\u2019s going to feel strange for a little while, but reserve judgment for several game sessions. If she\u2019s doing something you just can\u2019t stand, use the standard player solution\u2014talk to her, or find a different game.<\/li>\n
  3. If you must talk to the GM about the way he runs, remember you\u2019re the <\/strong>player<\/strong><\/em>.<\/strong> Don\u2019t tell him how you\u2019d do it differently (unless he asks). Just say something along the lines of \u201cI\u2019m having a real difficulty with the way [thing that bothers you] is handled. Is there a particular reason for it being that way, or can we maybe try something else?\u201d Focus on the specific thing that bothers you, not on his whole GMing approach.<\/li>\n
  4. Try to keep GM information out of play.<\/strong> It\u2019s going to be tough; when you\u2019ve been GMing for any length of time, you know things that even experienced players don\u2019t. So before you exploit the weakness of that monster\u2019s special attack, ask yourself if your character would even know about the weakness in the first place. Be honest. If the answer is \u201cNo,\u201d then use only what your character would know.<\/li>\n
  5. Don\u2019t overwhelm your GM.<\/strong> When you\u2019re used to spending hours in preparation for a game, it can seem like you\u2019re slacking off when you\u2019re only a player. Many GMs I know (including me) then to still put in that time, often without realizing it. Since you\u2019ve only got one small section of the game to work on\u2014your character\u2014you tend to over develop that section. Unless you clear it with your GM first, it\u2019s not fair to dump a 25 page character history on her and expect her to read it all before the next game session. Remember, she\u2019s got more than just your character to deal with.<\/li>\n
  6. Don\u2019t assume that just because you like something, that your GM will too.<\/strong> And visa versa, if you hate something, don\u2019t assume your GM will also hate it. Some GMs love getting 20 pages of blue-booking between game sessions, others will barely have time to skim the first page. Find out your GM\u2019s likes and dislikes.<\/li>\n
  7. Take time to learn this group\u2019s culture.<\/strong> Every game group has their own rituals and rules of behavior. If you\u2019re coming into an established group, take time learn their traditions and standards of behavior. If everyone chips in to buy the GM pizza, by the third session, you should be ready to drop your share in the pot.<\/li>\n
  8. Cut yourself some slack.<\/strong> It takes time to get used to being a player again. Treat yourself like you\u2019d treat any brand-new player you\u2019d have in your game. In many ways, that\u2019s exactly what you are, especially if you haven\u2019t played in years.<\/li>\n
  9. Be the kind of player you\u2019d want to have in your game.<\/strong> That\u2019s basically what this all comes down to. If you\u2019re supportive, helpful in a player sort of way, polite, and respectful, the rest of your group should be willing to overlook any gaffs on your part.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    (This is an excerpt from my upcoming book: The GM’s Field Guide to Players<\/em>, tentatively scheduled to come out in November.)<\/p>\n

    [photo courtesy of JDHancock<\/a> courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons<\/a>]<\/p>\n

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