Good game masters are the killer app of table top RPGs.

Notes from GM Panel at Gaymerx

(Paraphrasing some answers from my mess of mobile phone notes)

Q: How do you teach new GMs?

A:

• Feel it's about scheduling and creating time to create and play.

• Writers block can be an issue as well

• One shots are a great way to set yourself up as the GM of a game.  

• I would teach that you are the director, and you can let the players write the script with their own paranoia

Q: Tips for creating a good campaign?

"Good game masters are the killer app of table top RPGs. The only thing that publishers provide are tools and advice."

• The #1 thing is providing something that players want. My trick is playing close attention to character builds. The Characters that the players build will inform the world you build.

• Set expectations and boundaries.

• Let them build their own Paranoia.

• Learning from Improv. The power of "Yes, and then this happens." 

• Oh! There's also "Yes, but..." and "No, but..."  

• Allow players to contribute their own content, to create the answers to questions that they ask.  

• Do the players have skills in storytelling or art or organization or writing that you can utilize?

• When you  pass the story to the player, Player investment grow

• Learn how to do "texture swaps"  (using monster stats for one monster but saying it's something else) 

• The Rule of cool 

• Fail forward -  See failure rolls as interesting and as an opportunity to add to the story.  Raise the stakes:  When either result (failure or success) starts to become interesting 

Q: How do you provide a safe space for gamers?

A: 

• If there is one thing I want players to take away from this panel it's the X Card by John Stavropoulos. The X Card is a way to navigate when things make me feel weird
• It allows people to get more intense or emotional because the safety valve is there
• Also the O card - this a way for players to support each other - to tell each other "More please!"

Q: How do you deal with people who are causing trouble at the gaming table? 

• Never tolerate a malcontent.  You have no obligation to game with people who make the game not fun.
• Read Geek social fallacies 
• You can walk away whenever you want.

Q:How does the gm have fun when they have to give up to the players?

A: 

• Run stuff you enjoy
• DM prepration - Set the mood, freeform 
• I always start by building a music playlist
• Don't be attached to an outcome 
• Build an Outline.

Q:How do you handle all the Names and characters , and stats/numbers 

A: So Publishing is different than running an actual game.   Don't prep stuff players won't see 

Q: How do you go about World building -

A: 

• I usually maintain a Wiki 
• World building as post game prep 
• Helps maintain continuity. 

Q:How do you get people back on track? 

A: Escalate potential consequences - before they are about to do something really off the beaten path, ask, "Are you sure?"