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Topic: PSA: Proper Care for Your DM & Other Players (Read 108 times) |
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NWN DM
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Some recent experiences have led me to the conclusion that a general Public Service Announcement for players discussing tips on the proper care and nourishment of their DM(s) and fellow players is needed.
Apologies if this comes across as a rant, but it all needs to be said IMO.
First of all, DMs are people too, just like you. They also have to juggle work and family considerations, to hopefully get a few precious hours of gaming availability each and every week.
Further, DMs require a higher time commitment, because they actually prepare for games, build areas, construct plots, etc....
If you like what a DM is doing for your game, let him/her know by voting and rating the session. This provides positive reinforcement, especially if the DM is just starting out.
If you sign up for a game, you should consider that a commitment made. just as if you promised your best friend you'd meet him for coffee at 4 PM... you wouldn't just not show up, or show up two hours late without a good reason. Registering for a game and then not showing up is quite frankly extremely rude and shows a distinct lack of care and consideration for not only your DM's time and effort, but also that of the other players in that game.
Naturally, Real Life intrudes for us all, but if you are blowing off 75% of the games you register for, don't be surprised when all of a sudden you want to play and there's no game available because your DM got tired of an empty server on game night with a full party of players signed up for a session. Same goes for your fellow players.
Check your time zone settings on NWC This is by far the biggest source of late/missed games I've seen when scheduling games on NWC. Everyone assumes their time is right, but you need to re-adjust it after the spring/fall changes, even if you look on the website and it looks right. Showing up two hours late with an "oops I didn't realize that your 8 PM CST meant 9 PM EST, not 10 PM..." only goes so far.
Remember that your DM wants his/her game to be fun for you, and wants to have fun themselves as well. Don't tell your DM their game is the greatest one week and completely drop off the face of the planet the next, never to be heard from again. I suppose if you die, that's acceptable, but otherwise, exercise courtesy and at least let your DM know so they can open up your place for a new player.
And lastly, remember that your DMs are people too, just like you. They also have to juggle work and family considerations, to hopefully get a few precious hours of gaming availability each and every week.
Treat your DM and fellow players right and show them the same consideration you'd like to receive, and you'll be repaid many times over.
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Carlo One
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Last On: 02/08/12
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Well said, from my point of view as both a DM and player here, and not a rant.
Just one general comment on the sign-up/drop phenomenon. This is one of the main reasons I only run application games (the other is that I want to know something about who shows up to my games before they play). People who are willing to invest time in responding thoughtfully to application questions have a lower dropout rate, since there's more commitment by them to the game in the first place. Obviously it's not a perfect system either, but something to think about for those hosting games.
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Mulu
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Last On: 01/20/12
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Oh you even get drop outs in a campaign. In fact, while we're sharing (rants) suggestions, here's my campaign rules:
This is a campaign environment, which means you need to be able to commit to showing up for 3 out of 4 games. Life always gets in the way of playing, but if you miss too many sessions you start to ruin the experience for others. If you are going to miss a session, post a note in the campaign forum letting me know you are going to be absent so I don't wait for you to log in.
My only other policies are common sense from many years of gaming: Play nice, and try to make the game fun for everyone. We're here to relax and enjoy ourselves.
I do not tolerate bickering or hoarding, even if "IC." I believe players can create characters who have a personality of being cooperative and make IC choices that take into account the fact that nobody wants to experience a griefer in game, no matter how "true to character" the rp is. Realize that sometimes an individual player's desires have to make way for group enjoyment.
I find overly selfish or confrontational PC's to be maladaptive to a small group rp environment, so please do not roll up a psycho killer or a wealth obsessed thief. Make choices that will allow the game to be enjoyed by everyone.
Do not send OOC tells to people unless it is something you would want to receive yourself. If you feel a player is being disruptive, send the tell to me and I'll deal with it. |
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Lazybones
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Last On: 12/31/11
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Good points. It's a testament to the quality of folks we get here at NWC that I've only had the above issues rarely in seven years of hosting campaigns and running one-shot games.
DMs should lay out their rules in advance of a game and not be afraid to stick to them. I fully believe that a NWN game is a cooperative enterprise between the DM and players, but the DM is also the facilitator and host (in a general sense, if not always in a physical sense in terms of running the server). Clearly outlining the expectations at the start (or before the start) can help everyone enjoy a positive experience.
I have had to expel players now and again, but for the most part they are generally understanding when you explain your reasons, especially when you've set out your rules beforehand. You don't have to state, "I'll kick you out of the campaign if you miss 'X' sessions," but a general rule like what Mulu noted above is useful. Laying out expectations about party interactions like Mulu described also helps set boundaries that can avoid squabbling that can undermine the experience for everyone as well. Even if you're running a dark, everybody-for-himself sort of game, such guidelines can help keep IC rivalries from becoming OOC conflicts.
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NWN DM
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Mulu, I may take some of your rules and adopt them for myself. Thanks for sharing.
For the record, most of the aberrant behavior that caused me to make the initial post was experienced when trying to run a NWN2 based campaign.
I've yet to experience those kinds of problems with an NWN based game (or with NWN2 players who also participate in NWN based games on NWC).
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Carlo One
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I expect that's due to the relative lack of experience of NWN2-only MP players. Same thing happened with NWN the first few years of NWC.
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