Free PDF on Gamemastering

Luke Bunyip · 01-13-2011, 05:18 PM

This may be of interest to some. Tis a free PDF on approaches to GM'ing. And if you feel so inclined, you have the option of purchase via Amazon.

shawnhcorey · 01-17-2011, 08:05 AM

I've downloaded it and started reading it. I've done the first three chapters. They tell now to quickly create a setting for your campaign. I haven't tried anything yet but so far, it's good. Highly recommend.

Cpt_Clyde · 01-20-2011, 09:37 PM

Great read! Thinking of buying a hard copy as well to have my shelf. Definitely something I'll go back and reread from time to time.

Thanks for this.

Onkl · 01-21-2011, 05:13 AM

Thank you very much for bringing this to my attention. On my quest to improve my skills as a GM I am always grateful for advice and after skimming the first few pages, it seems this book is worth reading!

Thanks, again!

Onkl

Anaraxes · 01-22-2011, 11:41 PM

Only part way through it so far. Good enough advice, if nothing yet startling.

I'm not sure I agree with his enthusiasm for always running "zero level" starting characters. That's certainly a fun style. But I don't always want to start with the nothing farmboy with a rusty dagger and become the cosmic worldshaker. Sometimes it's nice to start off being reasonably competent, and with interesting adventures, it doesn't even matter if the character doesn't have leaps and bounds in power. I generally like a little bit of "getting better", but it doesn't have to be a D&D-style trajectory.

shawnhcorey · 01-23-2011, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

I'm not sure I agree with his enthusiasm for always running "zero level" starting characters. That's certainly a fun style. But I don't always want to start with the nothing farmboy with a rusty dagger and become the cosmic worldshaker. Sometimes it's nice to start off being reasonably competent, and with interesting adventures, it doesn't even matter if the character doesn't have leaps and bounds in power. I generally like a little bit of "getting better", but it doesn't have to be a D&D-style trajectory.

Well, Mr. Jamison does recommend that starting PCs are high on ability and low on skills. Their career path would be to develop their skills through hands-on experience. :)

demonsbane · 01-23-2011, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke Bunyip

This may be of interest to some. Tis a free PDF on approaches to GM'ing. And if you feel so inclined, you have the option of purchase via Amazon.

Thank you for pointing to this resource. I've downloaded it. It could be interesting!

Centisteed · 01-23-2011, 09:30 PM

I'm about half way through Chapter 4 now. This
actually makes the GURPS character designing
easier since you can cross-reference things in
the book's character building to the advantages,
disadvantages, & skills. the history that the
book mentions from the R. Talsorian game also
gives you a chance to derive enemies, contacts,
& dependents.

Overall, I'd say the first few chapters seem to
be my experience in what others have attempted,
with some GMs just winging it. And I used to think
of the game being played the other way it's
mentioned in the book, but not since the early
90s or so. Back then, I'm pretty sure I thought
that acting role-players were completely nuts!
I think I'm more action-oriented myself but if it
came to acting, my own performance would be
pretty flat, but I could remain in character, I
think. Of course, for play-by-post, I don't see
anything wrong with the acting-oriented type
of play since it fits (although I'd probably like
a mix of action & acting, if I ever ran my own
pbp game).

Lupo · 01-27-2011, 08:01 AM

I've read most of the "Gamemastering" book and I've printed it out...
It looks really good stuff.

Some of the author's assumption are a little bit extreme (such as "make absolutely sure that ALL of your players are either Narrativists or Simulationists", I think that realistically GMs will have to compromise between different kinds of players).

Still, I think the book is a very interesting and useful read and I'd recommend it to any GM.

I think it is particularly interesting because the author seems to have applied a "narrativist" mindset to traditional, mainstream (e.g., not indie) games.

So it advocates for pretty good principles (focus on conflict, the importance of player's contribution to the campaign, avoid linear plots, the story beats the rules) but in a way that can appeal to a larger audience (e.g., to people playing D&D rather than Dogs in the Vineyard).

It shows that you can play with a narrativist-inspired, somewhat collaborative style EVEN in a traditional adventure campaign (one where the players amass XP and loot, defeat monsters and evil foes, and so on).

I'd love to hear other opinions on the book... is anybody else reading it?

Wolf · 01-27-2011, 09:38 AM

I just downloaded the book, and am about 10% of the way through... I think that this will be a refreshing book to read, as it seems to mimic my style of thought on RPG's a bit. I do think he is a tad extreme on limiting the games to "one style" of player over the other. Sometimes adding an action style player to a dramatic game can be quite rewarding (as long as the "action" person is open to some conversation, and vice versa.

I'll be curious how this book turns out. and reading your reviews as you all read it.

01-13-2011, 05:18 PM	#1
Luke Bunyip Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Kingdom of Insignificance	Free PDF on Gamemastering This may be of interest to some. Tis a free PDF on approaches to GM'ing. And if you feel so inclined, you have the option of purchase via Amazon. __________________ It's all very well to be told to act my age, but I've never been this old before...

01-17-2011, 08:05 AM	#2
shawnhcorey Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Great White North	Re: Free PDF on Gamemastering I've downloaded it and started reading it. I've done the first three chapters. They tell now to quickly create a setting for your campaign. I haven't tried anything yet but so far, it's good. Highly recommend. __________________ How do you keep a fool busy? Turn upside down for answer. ˙ɹǝʍsuɐ ɹoɟ uʍop ǝpısdn uɹnʇ ¿ʎsnq ןooɟ ɐ dǝǝʞ noʎ op ʍoɥ Last edited by shawnhcorey; 01-21-2011 at 07:40 AM. Reason: typos (sigh)

01-20-2011, 09:37 PM	#3
Cpt_Clyde Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ottawa	Re: Free PDF on Gamemastering Great read! Thinking of buying a hard copy as well to have my shelf. Definitely something I'll go back and reread from time to time. Thanks for this.

01-21-2011, 05:13 AM	#4
Onkl Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Salodurum, Confoederatio Helvetica	Re: Free PDF on Gamemastering Thank you very much for bringing this to my attention. On my quest to improve my skills as a GM I am always grateful for advice and after skimming the first few pages, it seems this book is worth reading! Thanks, again! Onkl __________________ Combat Maneuvers Cheat Sheet - Injury & Recovery Cheat Sheet - Kit Cards

01-22-2011, 11:41 PM	#5
Anaraxes Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: Free PDF on Gamemastering Only part way through it so far. Good enough advice, if nothing yet startling. I'm not sure I agree with his enthusiasm for always running "zero level" starting characters. That's certainly a fun style. But I don't always want to start with the nothing farmboy with a rusty dagger and become the cosmic worldshaker. Sometimes it's nice to start off being reasonably competent, and with interesting adventures, it doesn't even matter if the character doesn't have leaps and bounds in power. I generally like a little bit of "getting better", but it doesn't have to be a D&D-style trajectory.

01-23-2011, 09:30 PM	#8
Centisteed Join Date: Mar 2010	Re: Free PDF on Gamemastering I'm about half way through Chapter 4 now. This actually makes the GURPS character designing easier since you can cross-reference things in the book's character building to the advantages, disadvantages, & skills. the history that the book mentions from the R. Talsorian game also gives you a chance to derive enemies, contacts, & dependents. Overall, I'd say the first few chapters seem to be my experience in what others have attempted, with some GMs just winging it. And I used to think of the game being played the other way it's mentioned in the book, but not since the early 90s or so. Back then, I'm pretty sure I thought that acting role-players were completely nuts! I think I'm more action-oriented myself but if it came to acting, my own performance would be pretty flat, but I could remain in character, I think. Of course, for play-by-post, I don't see anything wrong with the acting-oriented type of play since it fits (although I'd probably like a mix of action & acting, if I ever ran my own pbp game).

01-27-2011, 08:01 AM	#9
Lupo Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Torino, Italy	Re: Free PDF on Gamemastering I've read most of the "Gamemastering" book and I've printed it out... It looks really good stuff. Some of the author's assumption are a little bit extreme (such as "make absolutely sure that ALL of your players are either Narrativists or Simulationists", I think that realistically GMs will have to compromise between different kinds of players). Still, I think the book is a very interesting and useful read and I'd recommend it to any GM. I think it is particularly interesting because the author seems to have applied a "narrativist" mindset to traditional, mainstream (e.g., not indie) games. So it advocates for pretty good principles (focus on conflict, the importance of player's contribution to the campaign, avoid linear plots, the story beats the rules) but in a way that can appeal to a larger audience (e.g., to people playing D&D rather than Dogs in the Vineyard). It shows that you can play with a narrativist-inspired, somewhat collaborative style EVEN in a traditional adventure campaign (one where the players amass XP and loot, defeat monsters and evil foes, and so on). I'd love to hear other opinions on the book... is anybody else reading it? __________________ *Collection of GURPS Spells*

01-27-2011, 09:38 AM	#10
Wolf Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: The not so wild west.	Re: Free PDF on Gamemastering I just downloaded the book, and am about 10% of the way through... I think that this will be a refreshing book to read, as it seems to mimic my style of thought on RPG's a bit. I do think he is a tad extreme on limiting the games to "one style" of player over the other. Sometimes adding an action style player to a dramatic game can be quite rewarding (as long as the "action" person is open to some conversation, and vice versa. I'll be curious how this book turns out. and reading your reviews as you all read it.