good column idea; ideas for the future

[Kravell]

I like your column idea. I've been GMing for a long while as well and I've come to the realization that my players, great as they are, don't really care about the nuts and bolts of what I do as a GM. They love the game, for the few hours every other we play, but in between they don't really want to talk about it much. Coming here to read about GMing should give me a boost of energy.

One topic I would like to see discussed is the player who metagames to distraction. One so obsessed with "winning" by being able to do it all and do it better than anyone. A good player, but one who needs nudging in another direction.

Another topic I'd like to hear from other GMs about is house rules. My players don't like house rules and most of them won't read or remember them. Again, good players but just so busy that they don't or can't take the time. I know that I could just dispense with house rules, but sometimes a GM needs them to make an idea work.

Charlie

[Praetorian]

One topic I would like to see discussed is the player who metagames to distraction. One so obsessed with "winning" by being able to do it all and do it better than anyone. A good player, but one who needs nudging in another direction.

Excellent suggestions. i apprecite the idea bounceback...

I will work on the problem player/power player issue. Thus far, i have been pretty lucky with players like that (I honestly can't recall the last time I had a real power player in a game). Still, in Con games they are rife... and I specifically lay down the law before every campaign to try to avoid power gaming. So, all that is just a long way for me to say "let me work on that." I will talk with some GM friends and see if I can get some anecdotes...


Another topic I'd like to hear from other GMs about is house rules. My players don't like house rules and most of them won't read or remember them. Again, good players but just so busy that they don't or can't take the time. I know that I could just dispense with house rules, but sometimes a GM needs them to make an idea work.


I am a big fan of house rules- but I see your point about receptiveness of the players. A friend I met at dexCon told me horror stories of playing D20 strictly by the rules- his insights were pretty damned valuable and insightful.

Great idea. I am going to work on this one right away.