What does a Game Master do?
Published 4 min read
A Game Master is a person who is responsible for the overall game play and story line of a role-playing game. The Game Master creates the world in which the game takes place, and determines the rules by which the game is played. The Game Master also acts as the referee, adjudicating disputes between players and resolving any problems that may arise during the course of the game.
Game Master job duties include:
- Act as the referee for tabletop role-playing games
- Keep track of game progress and ensure that players are following the rules
- Create interesting and challenging scenarios for players to enjoy
- Develop new game content and house rules
- Manage player expectations and keep the game fun for everyone
- Resolve player disputes and keep the peace
- Encourage player creativity and role-playing
- Help new players learn the game and how to play their characters
- Make sure everyone is having a good time
Game Master Job Requirements
There are no formal education requirements for game masters, but many have at least a high school diploma. Some game masters may have certification from a gaming organization, such as the National Game Master Association. Experience is typically the most important qualification for game masters. Many game masters start out as players and then move into running games for other players. Some game masters may also have experience working in customer service or other jobs that require excellent communication and people skills.
Game Master Skills
- Patience
- Communication
- Active listening
- Attention to detail
- Organization
- Planning
- Problem solving
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Improvising
- Multitasking
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How to become a Game Master
A game master, also sometimes called a dungeon master or a GM, is the person who is in charge of creating and running a role-playing game. If you’re interested in becoming a game master, there are a few things you should know.
First, it’s important to be familiar with the rules of the game you want to run. It’s not necessary to be an expert, but you should at least have a good understanding of how the game works. You don’t want your players to get frustrated because you don’t know what you’re doing!
Second, think about what kind of game you want to run. There are all sorts of different role-playing games out there, from fantasy games like Dungeons & Dragons to science fiction games like Star Trek: Adventures. Choose a game that you’re interested in and that you think your players will enjoy.
Third, create a detailed world for your players to explore. This can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. The important thing is that your players have somewhere to go and something to do. Write up some background information on your world, create interesting NPCs (non-player characters), and come up with exciting quests for your players to undertake.
Fourth, prepare yourself for each session by coming up with a plan for what you want to happen. This doesn’t mean that you need to script out every single detail, but it helps to have an idea of where you want the story to go and what challenges you want your players to face.
Finally, relax and have fun! Game mastering can be a lot of work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Seeing your players enjoy themselves and watching them get immersed in your world is an amazing feeling. So take a deep breath, roll those dice, and let the adventure begin!
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