Re: GM Participation

From: PNMarkW2@aol.com

Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 00:00:00 +0000

"Enno Rehling" <rehling@usa.net> wrote:

[Stuff removed]

> It would defeinitely be best if the GMs were not playing. But Eressea is
> undergoing constant changes and upgrades _because_ we play, and becuase we
> see what's going wrong, or what could be done better. Cou can't figure that
> out from players reactions - you have to see for yourself. Expecially in a
> neverending game, where a certain balance of power is important.
>

As with all things it would depend on the game, but for the reasons given here
it can be a very good thing for the GM to play a position. You will see things
as a player that you miss as a GM.

I GM and play in Galactic Empires, and much like Enno I've developed a set of
rules governing how I play. The first and most important rule is of course
that your players must know you are there, and what limitations you are
working under. They have to buy into this or they will always be thinking
that the game is balanced against them, even if they are winning.

The second rule I use is that any player, at any time, may ask that I quit my
position and I'm gone. It doesn't matter who or why, I'm running the game for
them and if they don't want me playing that's fine with me.

The third rule is that you have to go over rules one and two every few
months. As an example about a year ago a player hinted that as GM I would
know such-and- such about his empire. Right then and there I went over rules
one and two (plus the other ten that govern how play) with that player, and
then with the group, and they all asked that I remain as a player.

But still, it's not for every game, GM or player.

Forgive me if I'm repeating something that was already posted, I'm coming in
on this topic late and I may have missed something. But I did want to add my
two- cents.

-Mark Wardell
-MMJ Enterprises
(www.mmj-ent.com/ge)

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References

Re: GM Participation
"Enno Rehling" <rehling@usa.net>
Sun, 28 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
GM Participation (was Re: VOTE: Your primary method of diplomacy)
David J Porter <porterd@netaccess.co.nz>
Fri, 26 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: GM Participation (was Re: VOTE: Your primary method of diplomacy)
"Steve Pritchard" <steve@spelbind.demon.co.uk>
Fri, 26 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: GM Participation
David J Porter <porterd@netaccess.co.nz>
Sat, 27 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000