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Post by Probie Tim on Mar 3, 2016 14:26:38 GMT -8
Why do I GM...
...honestly, in a rare moment of self-introspection here, I GM because I am a failed actor.
I started acting in 6th grade, playing Lysander in a children's version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was all downhill from there until, in late high school and early college, I was a full-on "theater guy". My "career" went full circle, and the last show in which I acted was A Midsummer Night's Dream - I played Peter Quince this time - and I realized that I stood to have a much more comfortable life if I followed my other passion: computer programming.
Sitting at the head of the table, playing all those different NPCs, describing the world in which the characters exist, and the ramifications of their actions, it all keys into that... "theater guy" penchant, which has never really gone away.
For what it's worth, that's the same reason I did renaissance fairs for as long as I did, heh.
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Post by jazzisblues on Mar 6, 2016 17:26:45 GMT -8
We were 12 and I had the books and then I discovered that I liked it. Whether I'm any good at it or not is a totally different matter. I enjoy watching the story unfold in ways that I never even imagined.
Cheers,
JiB
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Post by Monkeyfun Dave on Mar 9, 2016 12:33:18 GMT -8
Why do I GM... ...honestly, in a rare moment of self-introspection here, I GM because I am a failed actor. There are no failed actors, just actors in between gigs for extended periods.
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Post by natebob on Mar 9, 2016 13:57:58 GMT -8
I GM because it's more interesting than playing. I'll play any time though. I just prefer to GM.
More specifically, I GM because I like to tell stories with my players. I like to weave what their characters say and do in to the story and let it go where it goes.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2016 5:11:37 GMT -8
Mainly out of a crushing sense of obligation. Thus it may not surprise you that I don't run for long or often. I am an endless tinkerer and consumer of systems, but that doesn't turn into long term interest. I typically play more the role of host/co-conspirator/reference document. Logistics is up my ally, coming up with a session each week is not.
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Post by Kenigma23 on Mar 10, 2016 14:04:47 GMT -8
Oh, I thought of another reason… for the money!!! Oh yes, all the filthy lucre I can stuff in my pockets!!!
I kid of course, as the main GM I spend all the money on all the books, it is actually a losing proposition.
I don’t know if this qualifies as a reason so much as a perk, but I do like that I generally host, meaning I don’t have to go out, everyone comes to me! Also, I get to keep all the leftover pizza!!!
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Post by Kainguru on Mar 11, 2016 8:33:11 GMT -8
I don’t know if this qualifies as a reason so much as a perk, but I do like that I generally host, meaning I don’t have to go out, everyone comes to me! Also, I get to keep all the leftover pizza!!! THIS Aaron
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Post by Probie Tim on Mar 11, 2016 9:02:54 GMT -8
I am an endless tinkerer and consumer of systems, but that doesn't turn into long term interest. I feel you, my brother. Although I have gotten a lot better about it in recent years, largely thanks to the podcast. Before hooking up with the HJRP crew, I was the system-switching ADD GM that, on the show, I've been jokingly accused of being.
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Post by flyingjackelope on Mar 11, 2016 21:21:50 GMT -8
So far I'm GM'ing because I've really wanted to play an RPG. There aren't many people I know, so I'm running a game for my siblings. They've never played, so because I want this to be my hobby, I have to pick up the reigns.
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archalofax
Initiate Douchebag
Roleplaying for 30 years, I intend to inflict my GMing on as many people as possible!
Posts: 15
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Post by archalofax on Mar 16, 2016 15:18:35 GMT -8
3 main reasons I GM:
1. My older brother and his friends all sodded off and left 12 year old me to go find a gang of nerds for myself. Been running ever since. 2. I love creating a fun experience for other people. 3. I want to be ultimate ruler of the universe.
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Ed from Minnesota
Apprentice Douchebag
Professional Gaming Slut
Posts: 56
Preferred Game Systems: See status.
Currently Playing: What is... "playing?"
Currently Running: Shadowrun, D&D 5th, Torg via Savage Worlds, HERO, Gurps One-Shots, CoC One-Shots
Favorite Species of Monkey: Monkey See. No wait... Monkey Do. Doo?
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Post by Ed from Minnesota on Mar 24, 2016 18:15:19 GMT -8
I think the real answer is...
We KNOW we can tell a better story than any novel ever written, if we can only get a chance to share it with others...
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Post by zoomfarg on Apr 10, 2016 17:37:59 GMT -8
I GM for a few reasons.
I like having to think on my feet and be creative. To me, GMing is one of the fastest media in which to implement insight and creativity; idea enters brain, idea spills out mouth. I don't need to spend hours practicing, say, manipulating a paintbrush or practicing scales.
I love spending weeks or months planting clues that result in players going "Oh. Ohhhhhh...... Shit."
It's a chance to try lots of characters. As a player, I get attached to one PC, and never get to play as many characters as I have character ideas. As a GM, I get to play every kind of character at every level, as long as I don't steal the spotlight from the players (I can play a butcher and the Dragon Clan Daimyo back to back).
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G.I. Joe
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 147
Preferred Game Systems: L5R, FATE, GURPS
Currently Playing: Isawa Miriko: Split soul made whole again... with memory issues. Homura (Formerly Isawa Kiyoi) - wandering fire Priestess; Girart - a GURPS low-tech combat monkey w/19ST
Currently Running: Fushigina Ronin (L5R 4th ed)
Favorite Species of Monkey: Winston
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Post by G.I. Joe on Apr 10, 2016 18:09:21 GMT -8
Or a butcher of a Dragon Clan Champion (as in a Clan Champion that kills tons o' fools). That was fun, still can't believe that Kaida did not have to commit Seppeku.
I GM because I like creating worlds and feel a little bad (just a little) when I force my friends (i.e. Zoomfarg) to run a game in it. Although I haven't done that since highschool... I think... at least not an entire world...
I also enjoy thinking on my feet and the slight feeling of panic when things don't go the way I expect; which happens a lot, as I don't prep any solutions to problems, and so usually have the initial problem of the session, and then little to none after that... I think it usually works out... either that or my friends are lying to me.
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balhaza
Initiate Douchebag
The Lurker Douche
Posts: 25
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Post by balhaza on Apr 19, 2016 14:38:08 GMT -8
I love writing and creating. However, as a writer, I know my creations are automatically flawed as they are products of my mind; they only present my perception of the situation. I GM because not only it's fun, but the players run through the flawed scene I have and like a technicolor patchwork quilt, an engrossing, plausible story emerges from our collaboration. I may or may not write it down, but it does give me a lot more fuel to work with when next I sit and stare at a blank page.
Also, TPKs and the anguish looks on their faces is... Delicious.
Chris
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cybereverything
Initiate Douchebag
Posts: 15
Preferred Game Systems: Narrative
Currently Playing: Cortex+ (mostly) not-quite Steampunk Pirate Viking...thing.
Currently Running: rotating GM for above
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Post by cybereverything on Apr 22, 2016 22:01:00 GMT -8
I started to GM because I was told that if I joined the game (a Leverage-style cyberpunk setting), I would be part of the rotating GM duties. We all work in the same world, with the same characters; the character of whoever is GMing sits out, usually with a plausible excuse, might pop in to do their skill check if appropriate, but otherwise not helping.
It's actually been a great way to get better at GMing, following a failed few attempts in undergrad. So now I GM because 1. I want to run things with friends who haven't played and 2. I'm going to be a co-creator of an upcoming new gameworld with Primary GM. and both are super exciting but really different. In the first, I get a push from helping people have fun and do something that takes them away from daily concerns for a few hours. I'm the group therapy facilitator, but it sucks a lot less than actual group therapy facilitation. In the other, I get to do a creative multimedia project with a fantastic writer and thinker. There's a zest from having a creative partner or partners that acts as a geometric growth promoter, so long as the vibe is right. In this case, it is, and it's revitalizing.
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