I got started in a very similar way. I was introduced to (and loved red box D&D), and wanted to play it. I didn’t know anyone who played, though, so I bought the stuff I’d need to start running it. After that, it stuck.

I like doing both (playing and GMing), but when I GM it’s nearly always because I’m excited about it.

It didn’t start that way, but somehow that’s where it ended.

I’m still the only one in my group who GM’s regularly, but I try to get someone to run a short game or campaign inbetween whatever games I run so I can get a little player action in too.

Of course now for me, GMing is mostly about getting playtests done and tweaking rules.

2: I enjoy the “big picture” interplay. If I decide there’s a tribe of barbarians living in area X for example, I’m challenged with all of hows, whys, and what ifs of them being there. All of a sudden by one little decision I’m playing with economics, diplomacy, ecology, etc… and it’s a really satisfying rush when I finally push all the pieces together and have a finished bit of the world. Especially when difficult problems create elegant or interesting solutions.

3: I enjoy “wow”ing players. Sometimes it’s a cool baddy, a neat backdrop, or a novel concept but whenever I can make someone go “oooooooh!” my time was well spent.

“Nobody does it better…”

Well, most of the time, that is. We’ve already covered “because it’s fun,” and “if I didn’t no one else will,” but for me, I’d rather have the “work” and having fun running a game rather than playing in a game that isn’t fun.

Also, partly, I like to be in control. Some GMs are very good giving you control as a player, even though your sphere of control is very limited, while others make you feel like you’re just along for the ride.

This is one reason I tend to not like canned adventures, in general.

I have ideas and themes that need a canvas to be explored. GMing lets me do that.

I felt I had a strong story, however, and although it took me a couple of tries, I managed to run a complete campaign. And then I got hooked–I got hooked on being the final arbiter of the rules, on being the leader of the collaborative story. I’m more than willing to throw out a rule (or change it) if it doesn’t make sense or impedes the flow of the story, and I can’t do that when I’m a player.

More recently though, I GM for a couple of more specific reasons–I am the moderator of Heroes and Rogues NJ, the premiere gaming group in northern NJ (primarily Bergen County), and thus the responsibility of GMing has been borne on my (and a few others’) shoulders. Second, I am in the process of compiling and publishing an original fantasy setting, and so my fellow developers and I are playtesting by running campaigns.

I GM because I have an interesting take on something– sometimes it’s a way of reflecting the world, sometimes it’s a view of a bit of genre. When I GM, I can emphasize the elements that are important to me for a fun game and good characters. I can have the degree of internal consistancy that feels rewarding, and the level of improvisation and response to player activities that makes it truly collaborative.

It’s like writers say– the only thing you bring to writing that no one else does is you. In RPGs, there’s someone out there who can provide more meticulous attention to the rules, captivating character voices, quirky NPCs– but no one who can provide more you.

In most of the time since then I DM’d because I was the only one who offered.

In my current group, we have many who want to be DM’s. We alternate weeks with 2 campaigns running at a time. For the first time in a while, I am not DMing.

I miss it horribly, I have soo much less control as a player. Both DM’s are running very linear campaigns and I’m frustrated at my lack of options.

–Pat (DM without a game)

Pretty much.

I’d vastly prefer being a player.

My D&D group had fallen apart in quite a spectacular manner. I found another just-formed group, but that lasted no more than 3 sessions. After a month or so of no gaming, I called up a couple of people from my D&D group and asked if they’d like to play in a Buffy-like modern game.

That was a year ago. I’m now confident enough in the group to start expanding a bit. I’m working up a super-heros game to play from time to time, instead of the modern game, and one of my players is planning to start DMing a fantasy game occationally.

Yay, finally I get to play again.

I GM today because (1) I really like developing a setting and story then watch it unfold; (2) I’m about 20 years older than my players, who are new to pen-and-paper RPGs; and (3) I have a much better grasp of the rules and own most of the books.

I’m taking a short break and letting one of the new players try his hand at GMing. So far its interesting – one of the party was killed and all our gold was stolen from the dungeon crawl they just finished. I can only hope that he has plans for the party to get our stuff back!