Comments on: Like GMing Screens? Go Hardback

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:30:14 +0000

Quillion: Thanks for the direct link. In fairness, I didn’t link directly to any of the screens — I figured the base site links would be simpler.

On a related note, my group’s D&D GM picked up the World’s Greatest Screen, a four-panel (portrait) customizable jobbie, and used it for our game this past Saturday. I’d say the gray could be jazzed up, but we liked the outside (where he put pictures of our characters) and he liked the inside (where he had sheets specific to our adventure), which is the important part.

By: Darth Krzysztof

Darth Krzysztof — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:07:47 +0000

I like the landscape format screens, but I also like clipping stuff to the inside, so I built a double-tall one. You can see it here: How Shall I Complete the Wall?

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:14:49 +0000

Green Ronin makes one for their True20 game. Green Ronin Hammerdog Games make the World's Greastest Screen which is a four panel protrait screen. TWGS

By: Bento

Bento — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:35:41 +0000

I went with two cereal boxes spliced together, sheets of 11″x14″ plain white paper, pictures cut from old Epic magazine and plenty of spray adhesive.

My only dissappointment was when Kinkos said it was too thick to put through the laminator.

By: darelf

darelf — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:32:06 +0000

I totally love hardback screens. I have a grey ugly one with clear pockets on both sides.. 4-panel portrait. I have no idea where I got it from.

It’s awesome, other than it’s ugliness.

I find it necessary during a particularly… stressful… session. Also it helps demark who is in charge around here… the guy with the armor plated GM screen, that’s who!

By: Walt C

Walt C — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:46:22 +0000

I still fondly remember my old AD&D 1e screen. It was actually two tri-panel screens, giving me a lot of space to mark my territory/hide my stuff (of course, in those days, there was no laptop). I loved it so much that I had duct tape reinforcing the sides when it started coming apart!

I’ve recently gone anti-screen. The laptop does a good job of hiding my notes, and I keep the screen folded beside me to use as a reference tool (now I have Stephen Lynch in my head). Since I roll my dice in the open, I really have no use for a screen.

By: Quillion

Quillion — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:22:28 +0000

PEG customizable screen

might want to put the direct link next time for those of us who are not put off by the $27 price tag

By: BOB

BOB — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:04:58 +0000

I went to a restaurant supply house and bought some clear plastic Menu Holders that make great GM screens, and allow me to customize them at any time by slipping things in and out.

By: ColeonyxOnline

ColeonyxOnline — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:58:32 +0000

Wow, I feel like a Cheapskate. I made my GMing screen by cutting one of the panels of a cardboard box and spray painting it black

By: bignose

bignose — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:31:11 +0000

I have one of the PEG customisable screens, and it’s very much worth the money.

The landscape aspect is *awesome*, because it gets the hell out of my line of sight and allows me to interact with the players much more. This is far more valuable than I expected; I can’t use a portrait-aspect screen anymore, it’s too much of a barrier to communication.

The fact that it’s customisable, both GM side and player side, means I use it for any game I like, presenting art to the players or a campaign map or handy charts or whatever, and my custom crib sheets for the game rules and campaign on my side. Thus, it’s easily worth it if you ever plan on running more than a single campaign

The fact that it’s hardback adds durability, which, as you say, is worth paying for in a GM screen.

It seems an extravagant price tag, and I won’t deny that it pinches when you pay it, but it’s a very useful tool.

By: Telas

Telas — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:09:07 +0000

Were I a screen user, I’d own one of the PEG screens. The customizable pockets and landscape approach both work for me. I really like the idea of putting pictures or notes pertinent to the current situation on the outside of the screen, and the landscape approach hides less table from the GM.

By: Jeff Rients

Jeff Rients — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:03:05 +0000

I have a PEG customizable screen. I only use it for con games and a few other events and I still think it’s totally worth the money. The most awesome thing about it is that there are pockets on both sides, so you can have some custom charts on the inside and a compelling piece of art or something for the players to look at.