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Post by Admin Pete on Oct 6, 2015 13:55:50 GMT -5
I have observed that on most of the rpg forums that most of the posting members are usually Referees/DMs/GMs. I am curious about how does it break down here so far. How many of us are Refs and how many only play and variations in between. I have no way to prove it, but I suspect that on many of the larger forums that those who never post are more likely to be players than refs, while those who post are more likely to be refs than players. If I had some way to motivate every member to take the poll I think it would be enlightening. As it is, I encourage everyone to take the poll and to also post a little in this thread too regarding your answer, if you will please.
I have the poll set up so that you can select your top two answers reflecting different time periods in your gaming.
As for myself, I have spent long periods only being the Referee and otherwise generally only rarely play other than bitd after I starting reffing, it was about a 75/25 split reffing/playing and currently it is about a 95/5 split reffing/playing.
This replaces the previous poll for a different take and a more recent look at things.
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Post by makofan on Oct 6, 2015 14:09:48 GMT -5
I am generally the Ref, but I fill in people's groups on line if they need it. I find I am too bored if I am only a player.
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Post by dizzysaxophone on Oct 6, 2015 18:50:18 GMT -5
I usually am the ref, but I get to play in other peoples games on occasion. My next campaign is starting on Friday, and I'm not currently a player in any other group. I can't think of any period in my gaming life where I was playing in groups but not running one at the same time, but have many times been running and not playing.
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Post by bestialwarlust on Oct 6, 2015 20:45:45 GMT -5
Ever since I've started I've primarily been the ref. And after doing it so long I prefer it while it is fun to play when I do I like the creativity required of running a game. And Also the challenge of having to react to five minds working together against mine. I would say my ratio is about the same ref/play 90/10.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 4:53:26 GMT -5
My situation is a little better than a 50/50 split. I have a friend I have known since forever that I game with and he refs AD&D in Greyhawk, while I ref my own JG campaign of Northwind. We switch off every other week or so when time allows, but I also ref for my 11 year old son in my campaign world when my buddy can't play. I feel more satisfied as a ref, but good sessions as a player are rewarding too, especially when you are setting an example for smart play for a little guy.
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Post by Vile Traveller on Oct 7, 2015 10:09:32 GMT -5
Unfortunately, at the moment, I play more than I referee. Unfortunate, because that means I don't get to choose the system.  |
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Post by tetramorph on Oct 7, 2015 15:22:40 GMT -5
I would like it to be about 50/50 but finding other folks willing to ref is pretty tough.
I, of course, don't get it. As I love refereeing.
I just equally love playing.
So I can't understand folks that just want to play!
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Oct 7, 2015 18:11:52 GMT -5
I tend to be the DM, Judge, Referee, or whatever probably 75% of the time but I sure would like to get it to 50/50.
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Post by finarvyn on Oct 11, 2015 9:01:36 GMT -5
My theory is that all referees like to discuss rules, but only some players do. That might explain your impression that the balance of posters is skewed somewhat.
In the old days I was 50-50 player and DM because our group had another guy (the one who introduced me to OD&D) who ran games a lot. We would alternate, sometimes one would run a session and then the other in the same day. (Wasn't it neat to be in high school and have no real responsibilty?)
Anyway, since I moved away from my home town I've been DM most of the time. I do play occasionally in a game at the local store, but otherwise I'm nearly 100% DM.
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Post by Admin Pete on Oct 11, 2015 12:22:45 GMT -5
My theory is that all referees like to discuss rules, but only some players do. That might explain your impression that the balance of posters is skewed somewhat. I agree and I think that is what the large groups on forums that have been around a long time that have zero posts are most likely players, the silent lurkers of the forums. |
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Post by hengest on Oct 11, 2015 19:46:11 GMT -5
Mostly player. I fear being a ref because I don't like to be at the center of things and I don't like to push my visions on people. But I'm flirting with the idea, because if I don't start reffing, I may never get to game again.
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Post by tetramorph on Oct 12, 2015 6:39:15 GMT -5
Mostly player. I fear being a ref because I don't like to be at the center of things and I don't like to push my visions on people. But I'm flirting with the idea, because if I don't start reffing, I may never get to game again. Zondervan, based upon your posts alone, I would say you may be burying a talent. I know I would want to run a character in your campaign. In old school play the ref is not the center. Hence "ref," not "dm". You are facilitating others' play, helping their characters to be the focus. Don't push your vision then! Drop some characters in a tavern. Give them 3 hooks. See what they choose. Watch the world grow and unfold as your players express their desires through their characters' decisions! It is fun! |
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Post by hengest on Oct 12, 2015 15:25:06 GMT -5
Nice of you to say, tetramorph. I have no doubt that it is fun. And maybe I will! Solo adventure, if it sticks, do it more regularly, add a player, have a kid...I'm getting more open to it. Maybe I am thinking of games I've played in where the ref was fairly dominating. |
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Post by Admin Pete on Oct 12, 2015 16:17:14 GMT -5
Nice of you to say, tetramorph. I have no doubt that it is fun. And maybe I will! Solo adventure, if it sticks, do it more regularly, add a player, have a kid...I'm getting more open to it. Maybe I am thinking of games I've played in where the ref was fairly dominating. , I will second tetramorph comments.  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2015 16:54:26 GMT -5
Yeah hengest, the first hit is free ... welcome to your new addiction ...  LMAO! |
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Post by tetramorph on Oct 12, 2015 18:02:37 GMT -5
Nice of you to say, tetramorph. I have no doubt that it is fun. And maybe I will! Solo adventure, if it sticks, do it more regularly, add a player, have a kid...I'm getting more open to it. Maybe I am thinking of games I've played in where the ref was fairly dominating. You know, the great thing about old school and especially rulings not rules is the more mechanical power you give the ref, the less prone he is to megalomania. At least that is my experience as both player and ref. Sounds like you had a bad ref experience! What you need is just one good session with a fun and fair ref! We learn best by imitation. Anyway, go for it. Be the ref you wish you had! |
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Post by makofan on Oct 12, 2015 19:30:11 GMT -5
Nice of you to say, tetramorph. I have no doubt that it is fun. And maybe I will! Solo adventure, if it sticks, do it more regularly, add a player, have a kid...I'm getting more open to it. Maybe I am thinking of games I've played in where the ref was fairly dominating. You know, the great thing about old school and especially rulings not rules is the more mechanical power you give the ref, the less prone he is to megalomania. At least that is my experience as both player and ref. Sounds like you had a bad ref experience! What you need is just one good session with a fun and fair ref! We learn best by imitation. Anyway, go for it. Be the ref you wish you had! Be the ref you wish you had is the best advice I have ever read. It is all I really do. |
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Post by rastusburne on Oct 16, 2015 4:51:44 GMT -5
OD&D — I'm the only ref
Other RPGs — Mixture
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Post by Necromancer on Oct 20, 2015 3:37:13 GMT -5
Ref by default, it seems. I was the first one in my circle of friends to have any RPG's, so I guess I just got stuck with it. However, I like to ref, since I like creating settings, themes, creatures and other things associated with the task. Sure, it'd be cool to be the player sometimes - but then again, I'd like to actually play again for real (it's been years...)
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Post by Admin Pete on Oct 20, 2015 7:43:37 GMT -5
Ref by default, it seems. I was the first one in my circle of friends to have any RPG's, so I guess I just got stuck with it. However, I like to ref, since I like creating settings, themes, creatures and other things associated with the task. Sure, it'd be cool to be the player sometimes - but then again, I'd like to actually play again for real (it's been years...) I feel for you Necromancer, I went a long time with only reffing. What I would like to do is split into two people so I could play in my own world, I have some other refs (three) in my group, they are all good and all have fun games to play in when they ref but none of them really do a game anything close to what I do. And none of them are reffing right now or in the near future. |
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Post by Necromancer on Oct 20, 2015 8:14:52 GMT -5
Ref by default, it seems. I was the first one in my circle of friends to have any RPG's, so I guess I just got stuck with it. However, I like to ref, since I like creating settings, themes, creatures and other things associated with the task. Sure, it'd be cool to be the player sometimes - but then again, I'd like to actually play again for real (it's been years...) I feel for you Necromancer, I went a long time with only reffing. What I would like to do is split into two people so I could play in my own world, I have some other refs (three) in my group, they are all good and all have fun games to play in when they ref but none of them really do a game anything close to what I do. And none of them are reffing right now or in the near future. (I put part of your quote in bold letters to clarify what I wanted to comment upon.) Now that would be amazing! I'd love the opportunity to be both player and ref in my own world and experience it from both perspectives.  |
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Post by Admin Pete on Oct 20, 2015 8:19:46 GMT -5
I feel for you Necromancer, I went a long time with only reffing. What I would like to do is split into two people so I could play in my own world, I have some other refs (three) in my group, they are all good and all have fun games to play in when they ref but none of them really do a game anything close to what I do. And none of them are reffing right now or in the near future. (I put part of your quote in bold letters to clarify what I wanted to comment upon.) Now that would be amazing! I'd love the opportunity to be both player and ref in my own world and experience it from both perspectives. Yeah, it really would! |
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Post by tetramorph on Oct 20, 2015 16:55:27 GMT -5
Ref by default, it seems. I was the first one in my circle of friends to have any RPG's, so I guess I just got stuck with it. However, I like to ref, since I like creating settings, themes, creatures and other things associated with the task. Sure, it'd be cool to be the player sometimes - but then again, I'd like to actually play again for real (it's been years...) I feel for you Necromancer, I went a long time with only reffing. What I would like to do is split into two people so I could play in my own world, I have some other refs (three) in my group, they are all good and all have fun games to play in when they ref but none of them really do a game anything close to what I do. And none of them are reffing right now or in the near future. You know, you could just do what austinjimm has done: create a campaign world vast enough that all the other refs can ref within his own world! So sometimes he refs but a lot of time he just plays in some other region of the world he has made under another ref in the group. It works and it is fun. The meta creative level he still "controls" and the other refs look to him for clarification, explanation, expectation. But the on-the-ground running refereeing of a given adventure can be run by any ref familiar with the rules and his basic house rules. It is fun! |
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Post by Crimhthan The Great on Oct 23, 2015 10:02:17 GMT -5
I only referee, all the time and every time.
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Post by Von on Nov 2, 2015 3:13:13 GMT -5
I have been designated DM since secondary school (at the risk of sounding arrogant, I was simply better than the alternatives). People keep asking me to run games and I'm generally the one introducing new games or players to a group. Only in the last few years have I had the luxury of kicking back and playing in someone else's game for a change. It's interesting, although the urge toward back seat driving is strong.
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Post by rastusburne on Nov 2, 2015 17:55:46 GMT -5
Perilous Dreamer, I second that self-splitting idea! I would love that. I created a campaign world a few years ago that was very large (and apparently immersive). Consequently some of the other DMs in my group ran a few games in the same world and I got to play. I would describe the experience as a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it was great to play in a world I had created. On the other hand, one DM deviated from the imagined setting enough to change some of the fundamental principles of the world. For instance, I conceived the world to be low-magic, and minimal demi-humans but he injected a whole lot of high fantasy stuff — quite a departure. I didn't overly mind because it was his interpretation, but it was certainly divergent from how I imagined the world to be.
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Post by The Master on Dec 6, 2016 16:50:43 GMT -5
I only DM, I have never had the option of playing.
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Post by mormonyoyoman on Dec 6, 2016 17:11:41 GMT -5
Haven't gamed or GM'd in awhile, but I almost always was GMing.
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Post by Admin Pete on Dec 8, 2016 14:36:37 GMT -5
This poll is pretty one sided, do we have any purely players?
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Post by ripx187 on Dec 18, 2016 17:06:56 GMT -5
I was lucky and got to play under many many different Dungeon Masters for a couple of years, and then started DMing. I've got a mental illness and I've found that D&D is a great coping mechanism. Typically, when the anxiety starts I can refocus on different aspects of the game and stop my mind from getting stuck on things that I can't fix. I prefer the roll of DM, and my club enjoys me in the role, I get my prep done and the games are smooth. If somebody has an idea about a campaign that they want to run, I'll step back and gladly play but that doesn't happen very often.
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LMAO!
