Whenever I run a game, I use what I call the “One Piece” formula. I figure out what my audience likes then inject it into their bloodstream. The first Shadowrun mission I ran was supposed to be mostly role-playing. My players ran in guns blazing. From then on I’ve been figuring out new and creative ways my players can shoot people, and everybody’s happy.

The players have won every single mission so far, with no casualities, with cash prizes several times higher than recommended by the book. But it doesn’t get boring or Monty Haulish. Instead they can get attached to their characters, and I make them work for their prizes. My GMing style is a very simple philosophy that is incredibly effective at keeping people’s attention.

If the GM neglects his own fun, then the campaign is eventually doomed. And if the players don’t accept that the GM needs to have fun, well, that’s just bad.

While “players can vote with their feet if they don’t like it” may seem crass, it actually is a good maxim. But that doen’t give the GM unlimited license. The GM needs to consider the upsides and downsides of this. Make the game too unfun for the players, and they will vote with their feet (and will spread the word if things are really bad). GMing isn’t very fun if you have no players. The players also need to consider this maxim, if they don’t like the game, and a conversation with the GM doesn’t lead to improvement, then it’s time to vote with your feet.

Frank

Carolina: Yep, I meant players collectively. Individual players should come first when they get spotlight time, or when specific concerns need to be addressed, but the bulk of the time it’s very much a group thing.

Jennifer: I dig your write-ups (and your player-pampering sounds awesome!), but no fair being a tease about the minis! Do you have photos you can share?

1. Buy and paint an individual mini for everyone.
2. Sketch everyone’s character for them and post the drawings etc. to a website devoted to the game.
3. Write a dozen pages of story after each session. (No, seriously, see some of my session write ups on my blog.)

I think this should apply to players no less than the GM. As a *player* you should also make a point of playing so that *everyone* can have fun. How can you have fun if you make the other players miserable?

When you find yourself on the edge of your seat, anxious to see the players overcome your latest challenge, and share with them the release of tension caused by success, you’ve attained DMing Nirvana.

Seems to me that going for constant rock-star adrenaline-pumping blast-offs will lead to burn-out. …and boredom, oddly enough. There is a certain logic to fronting short-term frustration and angst in order to make the impending contrast of success all the more sweet.

The trick is figuring out how much frustration to add without ruining the whole batch of cookies.

Individual players’ needs still must come second to the requirements of those assembled.

Tricky balancing act, that. I mean, if you tell some players that a DM puts players first — the immediate reaction is “Great, then he has to please ME!” — and that’s not what that means at all.