It has been my experience that the majority of gamers spend most of their table time in small, insular groups. In this circumstance, how do GMs learn their trade? Not the specific ins and outs of any ruleset, but the more general points of role playing often included under the heading "GM Advice".

In the poll attached to this thread, the various answers are not meant to relate to quality of GM technique, but to familiarity with the concepts of being a GM. Bad and good GMs are personal judgements. You can have either in both accomplished or novice GMs. The two choices for "doesn't know what he's doing" are meant to represent GMs who do not understand what a GM does, not to be a judgement on the quality of play under that GM.

I have never heard of any sort of formal GM training, but there are a great many things in this world beyond my personal experience, so i have included that option.

I currently GM one game, play in another game currently and occasionally play in various other games. Which Data is most precious to you?

I started gaming in late '78, early '79. We had photocopied books, one set of dice between four of us. The guy who got us started couldn't show after the first couple sessions, so we sat around looking at each other until I volunteered to DM.

Since then, I would guess I have GM'd for 99 out of a hundred sessions I have attended. Frankly, I'm not terribly enthused about being a player anymore.

Quote from: jadrax;336762I currently GM one game, play in another game currently and occasionally play in various other games. Which Data is most precious to you?

Whichever is most precious to you. We're interested in your feelings today.

And i forgot to tick the allow multiple replies button if it even exists on this board.

Quote from: OneTinSoldier;336763I started gaming in late '78, early '79. We had photocopied books, one set of dice between four of us. The guy who got us started couldn't show after the first couple sessions, so we sat around looking at each other until I volunteered to DM.

Since then, I would guess I have GM'd for 99 out of a hundred sessions I have attended. Frankly, I'm not terribly enthused about being a player anymore.

Similar story here.  Started in late '77 with my best friends college age brother DM this thing called D&D out of three little books.  After a few games, my friend DM'ed, I DM'ed I introduced another friend who DM'ed, mt bewst frined brought in one of his friends, we all played in each others games, then we met others at school who were doing the same thing, like late 1978, early 1979, some of who learned from older brothers, and tried their games.  It sorta went like that.  Some learning from others, lots of trial and error and seeing how others did it.

Since high school I've probably GMed 99% of the games I've been in.  I GM the one game I have now, don't have time for much more than that although I do I miss playing.

I voted "Other". I'm self taught - books/articles, discussions with other GMs but the feedback from various players over the years, has helped me be a better GM. I don't think I would be a very good GM if I only learnt stuff from books.

Regards,
David R

Quote from: Gordon Horne;336759It has been my experience that the majority of gamers spend most of their table time in small, insular groups. In this circumstance, how do GMs learn their trade? Not the specific ins and outs of any ruleset, but the more general points of role playing often included under the heading "GM Advice".

After reading this, I chose the last option. Not that I think my comments are actually irrelevant, but it made me chuckle so I voted for it.

You answered your own question. Starting out, a lot of GMs get their basic info from the section with the heading "GM Advice." Or in D&D's case, the big honkin' book. Then it's on to trial and error. Some get interested enough to do online research into it and stumble across books like "Robins Laws of Good Gamemastering" or 'zines like . . . oh, I forget its name, but it was pretty much nothing but GM advice, focusing on a specific topic each week or two. The lucky ones perhaps get introduced to the hobby and GMing by someone with more experience(who's actually good at it).

But yeah, GMing isn't some esoteric skill like computer programming or haberdashery. It's something pretty much anyone with basic math and reading skills can learn to do(maybe not to the point of art, but sufficient enough to get a game going) in a relatively short amount of time.

When a mommy and a daddy GM love each other very much...

I voted for the last option.

-clash

Quote from: GeekEclectic;336774But yeah, GMing isn't some esoteric skill like computer programming or haberdashery. It's something pretty much anyone with basic math and reading skills can learn to do(maybe not to the point of art, but sufficient enough to get a game going) in a relatively short amount of time. (Emphasis added - TS)

That's really interesting. I think the basic referee skills are imagination and improvisation, not math and reading.

Quote from: flyingmice;336786When a mommy and a daddy GM love each other very much...

Can two GMs ever love each other that much?

Quote from: The Shaman;336787That's really interesting. I think the basic referee skills are imagination and improvisation, not math and reading.

A good point. Organization and social skills are equally important, as it the ability to accurately 'read' a group and adjust.

A GM is much like a band or stand-up comedian: the crowd only stays as long as they are entertaining.

Quote from: The Shaman;336787That's really interesting. I think the basic referee skills are imagination and improvisation, not math and reading.

If you can't read to learn the basic concepts or do enough math to make use of the randomizers that make RPGs actually, y'know, games . . . what exactly do you do with your imagination and improvisation? I suppose you could rely on others for everything, but . . . that would get old really quickly.

Quote from: flyingmice;336786When a mommy and a daddy GM love each other very much...

Or they could be doing it with the mistaken impression that it would save the marriage - this is how StoryTellers are created !

Regards,
David R

Quote from: David R;336802Or they could be doing it with the mistaken impression that it would save the marriage - this is how StoryTellers are created !

Regards,
David R

:eek:

:rotfl:

I started off as a player, and really, I wish I'd played a bit more before jumping into the GM chair. My first players were much more experienced than I was with the game and were much nicer than they'd normally be in the face of all my screw ups. They gave me good pointers afterward, but I think I would have benefitted from a playing in more games first.