it's not my fault!

A GM has a lot to juggle, from encounter balance to character backstory. Not only does the GM have to know mechanics, but they can feel like they need a degree in psychology to work with each person at the table. Often the GM gets the brunt of engaging the players, incorporating character history, and managing the tabletop interactions. It’s time to delegate!

To all my fellow GMs, I hear you! I know that you try hard to do better each session. You should learn new tricks and skills to improve. I believe this is important for you as well as your gaming group. However, do not put so much on yourself that it gets overwhelming. Your players have responsibilities too.

Like I’ve said before, this is a collective storytelling game. The players have a responsibility to engage in that story and make it come alive. They need to put a little effort into remembering what has happened so they can build upon it. Interact with the other players and learn about each other’s history and dreams for the future. Talk out what has happened and decide upon what actions need to be taken next.

Players, your GMs can only go so far. You must take the next step! Do not be afraid to make something up on the fly, especially in regards to your character’s experiences and feelings. A lot of us like playing these games because we can be someone else for a while, so step into that role. Look at the other players as friends (most of them actually are) who want to enjoy this journey alongside you.