Comments on: When You Play, Actively Observe Your GM

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:51:06 +0000

Wow — it sounds like you’re at ground zero for gaming cons. That must be nice, and I can see how skipping the hotel rooms would make it cost-effective to hit all of them. Very cool.

By: Frost

Frost — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:17:18 +0000

I live in the bay area of California with DundraCon, Conquest SF, and Kublacon all within a 30-40 minute drive from my home. There’s also Conquest SAC in Sacramento which is only an hour away. Even with the high gas prices, not having to get a hotel room and packing my own food keeps expenses down. No more Gen Con SoCal so I guess I’m down to four. All I can say is that I appreciate my wife very much.

By: bignose

bignose — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 23:45:22 +0000

> This works best if you’re playing in a regular game, as you’ll have multiple opportunities to be exposed to the technique you’re trying to learn.

Another reason it works best at your regular game: You’ll better pick up what the GM is doing *different* from normal, as contrasted with what they’re doing the rest of the time when not performing this technique you want to learn.

By: Martin

Martin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 20:13:18 +0000

Damn, but that’s a lot of conventions! I’ve never made it to more than one in a year, and since that one has become GenCon, I can’t imagine finding the time and saving the money to do a second large con. Which ones do you go to, Frost?

By: Frost

Frost — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:58:49 +0000

I’m always observing and learning from other DMs. Although I’ve been DMing for my current group for the better part of 3 years, I’m able to get my own player fix at the 4-5 conventions I attend each year. I make it point to remember things the DM did that made my play experience great or elements that I could find useful when I’m running my own game. I also pay attention to things that frustrated me as a player so I can avoid making similar mistakes that might piss off my own players.