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Post by LabRat on Dec 13, 2013 17:51:51 GMT -6
For now this is just a place holder, and I am not asking you to give me a critique after every session, but if you want to address something that I did as a GM that you like or disliked, or just want to give me an 'atta boy, this is the place to do it. Also, if I am having issues, questions, or reflections regarding GM-ing, then I will do it here.
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Post by LabRat on Dec 15, 2013 13:49:22 GMT -6
I don't have a lot to say other than I thought it was a bit of a rough performance on my part. I was nervous and pretty rusty. There are a lot of nuances that a GM has to do once you are in the moment. I had forgotten that, and so I was a bit overwhelmed. I blanked out on making it a more immersive experience, resulting in the whole night being a bit flat. I will endeavor to do better next week.
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Post by Gigermann on Dec 16, 2013 9:59:45 GMT -6
First session is always rough. No biggie.
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Post by Rigil Kent on Dec 16, 2013 10:11:45 GMT -6
Plus, Mike was there and he always throws everyone off.
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Post by Mike E. on Dec 16, 2013 12:04:02 GMT -6
Thanks...
Sent from my VS840 4G using proboards
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Post by Rigil Kent on Dec 16, 2013 15:05:58 GMT -6
What? Like you wouldn't admit that's the case!
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Post by Mike E. on Dec 16, 2013 16:01:52 GMT -6
For the record, my character had very good reasons to do the things he did the way he did.
Sent from my VS840 4G using proboards
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Post by LabRat on Dec 16, 2013 17:48:12 GMT -6
It is irrelevant if SQ throws people off. A good GM would be able to adjust to any type of player. Challenges to operate outside the mold will only make me a better GM in the end.
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Post by Gigermann on Dec 17, 2013 12:40:38 GMT -6
It is irrelevant if SQ throws people off. A good GM would be able to adjust to any type of player. Challenges to operate outside the mold will only make me a better GM in the end. Might not hurt to lay out what it was that SQ did that was unexpected, and why it was unexpected, so we can help. Personally, I can't think of anything he did that was "wrong," or in any way uncharacteristic—but then, I've played with him quite a bit longer than you have. Side Note: Fix yer avatar
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Post by LabRat on Dec 17, 2013 13:46:41 GMT -6
That's the thing, he didn't do anything unexpected. Granted he was more aggressive in his decision making, but that didn't surprise me considering that was on par with SQ's playing style. The only thing that was new was me adjusting to his decisions as GM. But that's only something that can be remedied with time and experience.
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Post by Gigermann on Dec 17, 2013 13:55:51 GMT -6
That's the thing, he didn't do anything unexpected. Granted he was more aggressive in his decision making, but that didn't surprise me considering that was on par with SQ's playing style. The only thing that was new was me adjusting to his decisions as GM. But that's only something that can be remedied with time and experience. You just contradicted yourself Clearly, he did something you didn't expect. Question is, "should you have expected it or not?" and, "How could you have been better prepared for it?" It just reminds me of some of my more-famous failures behind the screen. In the early days, I had some difficulty being prepared for the level of "straightforward aggression" on the part of the Players—trying to kill the BBEG in the middle of a monologue, or neverminding the "sadistic choice" for stabbing the BBEG in the face—to the point that, when my head's on straight, I either make double-sure they can't do that, or make backup plans for when they do.
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Post by LabRat on Dec 17, 2013 14:55:19 GMT -6
To me, that isn't a contradiction. I knew that SQ was going to be the wild card, that wasn't unexpected. The flaw was in my execution. Knowledge vs. Action are two different things in my book. I guess you could make the argument that I was expecting the unexpected so therefore it was unexpected in my expectations, but that is circular logic, and I don't have much patience in dissecting the nuances of that.
Honestly though, it is a moot point. I've already figured out what I needed to do to improve. I don't like the idea of PCs not being able to do something because if would break the game if they did, so I would rather take the extra time to figure out backup plans if something doesn't work in my favor. It is what I should be doing anyway.
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Post by Rigil Kent on Dec 17, 2013 15:00:05 GMT -6
trying to kill the BBEG in the middle of a monologue In our defense, we were playing Navy SEALs with very high skill levels ...
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Post by Gigermann on Dec 17, 2013 15:08:18 GMT -6
In our defense, we were playing Navy SEALs with very high skill levels ... I still say I was wrong, not you, in those cases. I don't like the idea of PCs not being able to do something because if would break the game if they did This is really the correct response, so you're on the right track. I would caution you, though—I knew this after the first time, but I kept making the same mistake anyway. It's too easy, in an effectively-linear game situation, to get sucked into Golden Path thinking. I have to remind myself to check through what I have, and make sure that I don't "need the PCs to go left here" to make it all work—any time you see that, fix it.
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Post by LabRat on Mar 15, 2014 13:30:04 GMT -6
Last night was the 10th installment of TAS, so I just wanted to ping everyone to see if they are satisfied with the campaign so far. Are there things you want to see more or less of? Anything you like or dislike? Are you getting kind of tired of it and want to move on with something else? Is everything just fine? I am identifying things that I need to work on as a GM so I am always trying better myself, but if there is any constructive criticism, please let me know so that I can make some adjustments. If everything is great, then just give me a thumbs up. Kthxbai
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Post by Rigil Kent on Mar 17, 2014 18:21:22 GMT -6
Sorry for the delay. Yesterday, I mostly unplugged and today ... ugh.
I'm enjoying it quite a bit and like how quickly you're adapting to random twists and turns that result from a group of murder-hobos. You're keeping us guessing and on our toes, and I definitely appreciate how you're not letting rules questions cause a complete stoppage of play (which we've all been guilty of from time to time.) You're also doing a great job of farming out stuff that's easier for other people to deal with when you're in the GM seat - me with the initiative tracking, Daniel with the Google spreadsheets - and I know from personal experience how trying to deal with that stuff can cause a major overload. I have no complaints whatsoever and am quite interested in seeing what happens next.
So not only am I going to give you feedback, but I'm also giving you a thumbs up!
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Post by Gigermann on Mar 18, 2014 8:40:55 GMT -6
It's taken me a while to get into this one thanks to the "intermittent" nature of the first few months. It's improving now. Now I have to get past the fact that my character didn't have much "personality" to begin with—that's my problem, though.
More sailing: So far, the ship has been a teleporter—we arrive at the destination bypassing the space between. At least now we've settled some mechanical issues, so it's a matter of making the best use of it.
Less floundering: I like sandbox as much as the next guy, but that works a lot better if the players have a good working knowledge of the setting/area and know what they want to do with it. Maybe a map would help—we have no idea what the world looks like; might help if we could see the un-filled-in areas, and maybe some rumors of what's out there.
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Post by Rigil Kent on Mar 18, 2014 11:51:31 GMT -6
We should intentionally start making for Bint's homeland to reunite him with his family/discover they're dead/whatever so we have an actual goal... Things I would like to do or see: - An actual boarding action in the middle of a big naval fight. Like, we have to take the fight to one ship while dealing with another. Why yes, I would like to do a Nelson...
- Along with that, I want to see a BIG storm. Maybe even during the fight? Like it starts while we're fighting or we have to flee into the storm to try and evade a much larger force?
- Underwater adventures ... not sure how that would work right now as I don't know if we have mass water breathing capability, but that could be really cool.
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Post by Mike E. on Mar 18, 2014 21:04:43 GMT -6
I've only played in two games so far. I'd like to hold my opinions until a few more are done.
That being said, I'm having fun.
Sent from my VS840 4G using proboards
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Post by LabRat on Mar 20, 2014 10:21:02 GMT -6
Sorry for going AWOL. This has been a really stressful week that will hopefully be resolved by this afternoon. Thank you for all of your comments. And I agree with the lack of actual ship stuff. Once you are done with this island, I plan on switching gears and you all will see some water combat/ship interaction. Admittedly, I was shying away from it until I got up my GM-ing chops. I feel more confident, so hopefully I can do it justice and we it can be fun.
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Post by Gigermann on Mar 20, 2014 11:39:17 GMT -6
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Post by Magman on May 4, 2014 20:25:57 GMT -6
Just want to say that I enjoyed. Good cliff hanger
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Post by Rigil Kent on May 4, 2014 22:12:46 GMT -6
Completely agree. The entire run was quite enjoyable.
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