Hello! Kate Bullock and I are happy to present the first GM Masterclass episode of The Gauntlet Podcast!
If you have any follow-up questions, feel free to post them here.
I’m super-proud of this episode, and I think you’re going to find it very helpful.
Enjoy!
http://www.gauntlet-rpg.com/the-gauntlet-podcast/gm-masterclass-01
Loving all these topics and looking forward to listening tomorrow!
Loving all these topics and looking forward to listening tomorrow!
I am not going to lie: I rolled my eyes at the title and had to chuckle when it was the first thing Jason addressed.
I am not going to lie: I rolled my eyes at the title and had to chuckle when it was the first thing Jason addressed.
Loved that episode, I’m looking forward other GM Masterclasses. Jason Cordova is there some kind of Compendium of all those technics you use (7-3-1, painting the scene, etc.)? And also I hope someday I’ll be the new player to “wrack your nerves”. No pressure.
Loved that episode, I’m looking forward other GM Masterclasses. Jason Cordova is there some kind of Compendium of all those technics you use (7-3-1, painting the scene, etc.)? And also I hope someday I’ll be the new player to “wrack your nerves”. No pressure.
Sweet!
Sweet!
For me “prep” means sitting down with a specific time and writing down things for the game. Assuming I’m running a game in a system that doesn’t need that (looking at you Exalted) I do the same sort of things Kate Bullock and Jason Cordova do, but it’s while I’m going for a walk, having a shower, going to sleep, sitting on the bus, etc, so I don’t think of it as “prep”.
For me “prep” means sitting down with a specific time and writing down things for the game. Assuming I’m running a game in a system that doesn’t need that (looking at you Exalted) I do the same sort of things Kate Bullock and Jason Cordova do, but it’s while I’m going for a walk, having a shower, going to sleep, sitting on the bus, etc, so I don’t think of it as “prep”.
Simon Landreville We’re thinking of making a compendium of Gauntlet techniques. Stay tuned!
Simon Landreville We’re thinking of making a compendium of Gauntlet techniques. Stay tuned!
I really love all the topics discussed in this episode and hearing from Jason and Kate on their perspectives. I found myself nodding and making mental notes a lot of times.
For me, the act of sitting down and writing notes “prep” is pretty minimal, but I spend a lot of idle time allowing imagery, themes, and aspects of the campaign to exist in my head. Imagining how things look, feel, or behave.
I feel like i’m very much a reactive, improvisational GM, but that comes from a place of responding to the PCs according to the shape the setting, themes, and NPCs have in my head.
I really love all the topics discussed in this episode and hearing from Jason and Kate on their perspectives. I found myself nodding and making mental notes a lot of times.
For me, the act of sitting down and writing notes “prep” is pretty minimal, but I spend a lot of idle time allowing imagery, themes, and aspects of the campaign to exist in my head. Imagining how things look, feel, or behave.
I feel like i’m very much a reactive, improvisational GM, but that comes from a place of responding to the PCs according to the shape the setting, themes, and NPCs have in my head.
I read this then used my data to download the episode; so good!
I read this then used my data to download the episode; so good!
re prep/jitters before the game, one thing I do is read my notes, then I do something manual like dishes, washing clothes or vacuuming. I bounce around in my head – if A then B or C scenarios based on what I have prepared. While my players often surprise me and i’m happy to roll with their choices, i’ve still ran through many scenario chains before I start which lessens my jitters and i’ve done some housework at the same time.
re post game let down, often this is from one or more players not being super into the game. But so many things effect a players experience (family situation, fatigue, work stress, groking the genre, being invested in the story, gelling with the other characters). Often players are wrestling with one of these things and only half of them you have any influence at all over. Regular feedback (roses/thorns etc) helps as does regular pregame chat about non game topics if people need to de-stress before getting into game.
re prep/jitters before the game, one thing I do is read my notes, then I do something manual like dishes, washing clothes or vacuuming. I bounce around in my head – if A then B or C scenarios based on what I have prepared. While my players often surprise me and i’m happy to roll with their choices, i’ve still ran through many scenario chains before I start which lessens my jitters and i’ve done some housework at the same time.
re post game let down, often this is from one or more players not being super into the game. But so many things effect a players experience (family situation, fatigue, work stress, groking the genre, being invested in the story, gelling with the other characters). Often players are wrestling with one of these things and only half of them you have any influence at all over. Regular feedback (roses/thorns etc) helps as does regular pregame chat about non game topics if people need to de-stress before getting into game.
Lots of stuff in here I didn’t think to ask about but needed to hear. Keep it up both of you!
Lots of stuff in here I didn’t think to ask about but needed to hear. Keep it up both of you!
I really enjoyed this episode, thank you! I look forward to more.
I really enjoyed this episode, thank you! I look forward to more.
Loved this episode. Some of the things said about prep brought back a possible blog post I want to write about the power of daydreaming when one is GMing. Sometimes I don’t have to do a whole lot of out-and-out prep for Blades or BW but I do plenty of daydreaming.
It is tricky because the daydreaming can’t wed you to any outcome but it helps to think about ways the NPC billiard balls might bounce around when the players smash into things.
Great episode, Kate and Jason. Thanks!
Loved this episode. Some of the things said about prep brought back a possible blog post I want to write about the power of daydreaming when one is GMing. Sometimes I don’t have to do a whole lot of out-and-out prep for Blades or BW but I do plenty of daydreaming.
It is tricky because the daydreaming can’t wed you to any outcome but it helps to think about ways the NPC billiard balls might bounce around when the players smash into things.
Great episode, Kate and Jason. Thanks!
I definitely enjoyed this, honestly I think this (and th various eps like it) deserve their own feed. Kind of the same way that +1 Forward has it’s own feed.
I definitely enjoyed this, honestly I think this (and th various eps like it) deserve their own feed. Kind of the same way that +1 Forward has it’s own feed.
My biggest issue with post-game jitters is that I’m so worked up that it takes a while to unwind and relax afterward – which is a challenge when I need to get to bed after a weeknight session.
My biggest issue with post-game jitters is that I’m so worked up that it takes a while to unwind and relax afterward – which is a challenge when I need to get to bed after a weeknight session.