RPGnet Columns
10-10-2002, 10:04 AM
Post originally by lackey at 2002-10-10 09:04:28
Converted from Phorums BB System
We have different costs, you and I.
As a GM, I come at things from a cinematic perspective. Writing doesn't replace the cinema of action that is in my mind, and therefore I rarely write at all... Luckily, though, my mind is at its best for writing games while in the shower, something that is free and happens once a day.
With no children, and the fact that I game while my wife is at a violin lesson or dance class, the time costs me little. In fact that social time is worth more than it costs. Food is my share of pizza and drinks, a lowly $7 or so.
But I only buy games that I intend to run (although I have run games with no rules on hand, off of memory or relying on my players to bring the rules, but that is a bad habit I don't expect anyone else to do....) But even a $50 game book, spread over 20 game sessions is $2.50 a night.
So I am looking at $10 for my games, or around $2.50 an hour.
But again, I come at things from a cinematic perspective. And I am driven to go to the movies, which by Sandy's definitions means that it has no cost as it will happen anyway.
So movies are free while gaming is $2.50 an hour. But I still run games. Why?
Because I run out of good movies to see, in part, but also because when discussing cost/benifit of actions, you need to include the benifit. Watching paint dry (perhaps around your baby so you won't need a sitter) is free, but has no value either.... A good movie has a high benifit, but it comes nowhere near the benifit of a good game. Those games are rare (yes, rarer than a good movie), but when they come around, it is worth my $2.50, or Sandy's $10, and even more.
Converted from Phorums BB System
We have different costs, you and I.
As a GM, I come at things from a cinematic perspective. Writing doesn't replace the cinema of action that is in my mind, and therefore I rarely write at all... Luckily, though, my mind is at its best for writing games while in the shower, something that is free and happens once a day.
With no children, and the fact that I game while my wife is at a violin lesson or dance class, the time costs me little. In fact that social time is worth more than it costs. Food is my share of pizza and drinks, a lowly $7 or so.
But I only buy games that I intend to run (although I have run games with no rules on hand, off of memory or relying on my players to bring the rules, but that is a bad habit I don't expect anyone else to do....) But even a $50 game book, spread over 20 game sessions is $2.50 a night.
So I am looking at $10 for my games, or around $2.50 an hour.
But again, I come at things from a cinematic perspective. And I am driven to go to the movies, which by Sandy's definitions means that it has no cost as it will happen anyway.
So movies are free while gaming is $2.50 an hour. But I still run games. Why?
Because I run out of good movies to see, in part, but also because when discussing cost/benifit of actions, you need to include the benifit. Watching paint dry (perhaps around your baby so you won't need a sitter) is free, but has no value either.... A good movie has a high benifit, but it comes nowhere near the benifit of a good game. Those games are rare (yes, rarer than a good movie), but when they come around, it is worth my $2.50, or Sandy's $10, and even more.