Quote from: ArrozConLeche;1023109In theory, how much of a chance to grow would you guys give a new GM before you would decide to bail out? I think I can put up with a lot, as long as it's not abusive.

Assuming the new referee is wiling to discuss stuff out of game, and everybody concerned is open minded, quite a while.  I think frank communication and a player to referee discussion is vital to the process.

I agree Jeff!

Certainly, if you want to be a good GM, you should read up, practice and accept sincere constructive feedback. Which is generally true of any endeavor you might want to "level-up" in.

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;1023122Can I have a gamemaster who's a hot brunette in a black sheath dress?

Come to London and I'm pretty sure I can get you a nerd-cute gamemistress in a black sheath dress. Possibly with red roses.

Anyone can be a pretty good GM. I think being a player first helps, but of course not required.

It seems like a lot here confuse "can be" with "can become".
Even if literally anyone would be able to become a GM that is ok or better, that is not the same as anyone being able to be an ok or better GM as is.
EDIT:
Interesting enough, the title of this thread asks "become", but in the OP, the argument seems to be that someone claimed that not everyone can "be".

Quote from: Catelf;1023191Interesting enough, the title of this thread asks "become", but in the OP, the argument seems to be that someone claimed that not everyone can "be".

So perhaps it is 'what are we actually discussing?' that is causing the confusion.


Suffice to say, I think a consensus has formed. GMing is a real skill that takes practice and opportunity to develop. In all likelihood, there are people who are naturals, but likely very few people who would be incapable of learning it, given the opportunity and motivation.

Quote from: Willie the Duck;1023236So perhaps it is 'what are we actually discussing?' that is causing the confusion.


Suffice to say, I think a consensus has formed. GMing is a real skill that takes practice and opportunity to develop. In all likelihood, there are people who are naturals, but likely very few people who would be incapable of learning it, given the opportunity and motivation.

Which, to me, is far more interesting than discussing if you have to be a "Chosen One" to be "born" a referee.

Quote from: Catelf;1023191It seems like a lot here confuse "can be" with "can become". ...

Sorry Catelf, but this weeks asshole % is too low, so this has to be done.

None of us are confused. Maybe if you're an AP English teacher whos butthole is so tight as to create its own gravitational pull, perhaps you might be confused that real people use colloquial terms, but outside that rare state, no confusion here.

Can Be and Become are synonymous in most circles. ANYONE can pick up an RPG, form a group and GM for them. Anyone. Because this is a site discussing RPGs, and new people wander here for advice, it would behoove those of us who recruit and train new GMs to make some assertions and clarifications.

Fucking Nerd.

( PS, I still love you - I'm mostly being as pedantic as you just were - nanny nanny boo boo)

Quote from: trechriron;1023294Sorry Catelf, but this weeks asshole % is too low, so this has to be done.

None of us are confused. Maybe if you're an AP English teacher whos butthole is so tight as to create its own gravitational pull, perhaps you might be confused that real people use colloquial terms, but outside that rare state, no confusion here.

Can Be and Become are synonymous in most circles. ANYONE can pick up an RPG, form a group and GM for them. Anyone. Because this is a site discussing RPGs, and new people wander here for advice, it would behoove those of us who recruit and train new GMs to make some assertions and clarifications.

Fucking Nerd.

( PS, I still love you - I'm mostly being as pedantic as you just were - nanny nanny boo boo)

* applause *

It's a dirty job, but somebody had to do it.

I think most anyone who wants to do it should give it a try.
I'm VERY patient with GMs so long as they're not jerks... and those who want to will improve.
But soo much of it comes down to social interaction that I think it depends a lot on WHO you are GMing for. A 'bad' GM for one group might be 'great' for another.

I enjoy the face-to-face group I'm in, but I know other people who would HATE our GM and walk out... not that they're bad Players... but there are styles and personalities involved. There are some objectively good/bad things to do/not do as a GM... but a huge chunk of it is going to be how well you mesh with the rest of the group.

Last year I joined an online group that intended to rotate games/GMs. At the time I told them I would run Call of Cthulhu at some point, but after playing a few sessions with them I realized that that just would not go well for them or me... but I still show up as a Player.

Quote from: jeff37923;1023019Anyone can be a GM, anyone can learn how if they apply themselves. In the beginning, you will suck at it - just like all of us did at the start. Given time and effort, anybody can become a good GM.

Correct.

Being a good player is a skill, too, and likewise takes years of application. Most never make the effort, and flee into point-buy and encounterisation.

Quote from: Kyle Aaron;1023353Correct.

Being a good player is a skill, too, and likewise takes years of application. Most never make the effort, and flee into point-buy and encounterisation.

What's point buy have to do with it?

What a load of post modernist BS.

No, not everyone can be a GM.

Just like not everyone can be an architect.  I wanted to be to one, to design buildings, learn civil engineering, but I just don't have the aptitude for it.  I just ain't smart enough.  Not everyone can be an Engineer.  Not everyone can be a world class Athlete.  But that's OK, I have other abilities.  Everyone does.  It's what makes the world so interesting.

BUT!  And this is a KEY POINT

Like most things in life, it can be learned, and luckily the bar to entry is very, very, very low.  As long as you're willing to mentally flexible, problem solve relatively quickly (as in minutes, not days) and willing to use your imagination (Even if you think you have none), maybe you'll pick it up.  If you don't or can't, then there's something else for you.

But is it something everyone can do?  Nope.  Life don't work that way, Sugar Pop.

Except running a game isn't like being an architect, it's more like making a decent meatloaf or a fairly good fried egg sandwich.  Yeah, there are people who never will learn to do it, but they are DAMN few.

It is NOT that tough.

Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;1023355What's point buy have to do with it?

Because if you don't know how to think your way out of difficult situations - or evade them completely - then you try to stat your way out of it. It doesn't matter if you figure out how to avoid or disarm the trap if you've managed to get +30 to save and have 152 hit points.

Superior players rely on their wits, not on the numbers on the page. But it takes time to do this.

Point-buy and encounterisation also helps the inferior DM. "Well, if the book says they can handle this encounter, I guess they can." So I guess it could be useful as training wheels... but at some point you get rid of them and just ride.