Game Master Tips
Roleplaying
So you’re a new game master. Maybe you’ve been a player for a while and want to take a seat behind the screen, or maybe you’ve never played at all and this whole “collaborative storytelling” thing sounds fun. What system are you going to choose? … read more »
Roleplaying
I’ve spoken before about what makes a setting good for roleplaying, and I’ve reviewed a number of roleplaying systems here on the blog, so it’s time to lay out what makes the system itself good or bad. While each system is a unique snowflake, several factors … read more »
Roleplaying
Most roleplaying games work best if your PCs stick together. It’s possible to run a game where half the party is in New York and the other half is in Hong Kong, but it’s much simpler if they stay within close geographic proximity. Unfortunately, players … read more »
Roleplaying
Roleplaying stories are about collaboration. Otherwise, it would be easier to just write the story in prose form.* But how do you, the GM, get players involved in your creative endeavor? For many players, you need only ask what they’re interested in and adjust your … read more »
Roleplaying
Lots of articles out there* talk about different types of problem players and how to address them. That’s a worthy topic, but the vast majority of players are rarely disruptive enough to count as a “problem.” Instead, most players will have distinct strengths and weaknesses … read more »
Roleplaying
Roleplaying games are complex beasts. Even as sprawling simulationist games like 3.5 D&D and Shadowrun become less common, systems must have rules to cover a mind-blowing number of situations. With so much to cover, it’s no surprise that a few scenarios have slipped through the … read more »
Roleplaying
A few weeks back, I looked at some of the most common mistakes game masters make. Turns out that list wasn’t complete, not by a long shot. Many more errors lurked just within my own experiences, so I plumbed the depths to produce another list. … read more »
Roleplaying
I’ve said it before: GMing is hard. We all make mistakes—it’s part of the job. Some mistakes are more critical than others, and recognizing them is important if you want to level up your GMing skills. While each game is different, some mistakes crop up … read more »
Podcast
Oren, Mike, and Johnathan get into the weeds with roleplaying rulesets. They discuss problems with rules-as-written and when to follow designer intent vs. establishing house rules. Johnathan also gleefully explains why roleplaying games are just like practicing law. Read more »
Roleplaying
Sometimes you have a lot of friends, and they all want to be in your games. That’s great. More players add variety and cool ideas to your campaign. Think of all the new stories you’ll be able to tell. But large groups present new problems … read more »
