Here’s to the Gamemaster, whoever you may be!
What It Takes
It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it!
More often than not, you’ve got to absorb a rule book, teach your friends a game, and then act as a human computer, crunching numbers and dealing with tricky mechanics. It helps to be quick with numbers and good at math. Want to do some homebrew? Probabilities will come in handy.
Of course, it’s not all about numbers. Charisma counts! In this post-Critical-Role epoch we find ourselves in, players expect you to be a bit of a Voice Actor. From the Giger-esque gurgle of a gargoyle to the maniac eccentricities of a wizard hermit, you’ll need a whole cast of characters. Confidence is key; players can smell weakness! And don’t neglect those improv skills! You’ll have to think on your feet if you want to avoid the dreaded railroad. Just be careful not to ‘Yes-And’ your way into a power imbalance or narrative dead-end.
But it can’t be all off the cuff. You have to be a planner and (famously) a game designer. Encounters, adventures, campaigns – they all need designing, and that’s presuming that you’re not monkeying around with the rules (as game books so often encourage you to do).
Speaking of campaigns, where’s yours set? You know the real Gamemasters are also worldbuilders. And if you want to master that skill, you’ll want a cursory knowledge of history, ecology, and geology. If your players are into intrigue, some understanding of political theory will come in handy. Once your players have some cash in hand, you’ll run into questions of economics. Theology can be a great inspiration, as can mythology. Forget all that for a second; you need to be a real egomaniac to even dream of playing at the world. Oh, and dust off your cartography skills, because you’ll need a map.
Speaking of maps, how are you at drawing? Verbal descriptions? Can you keep a clear model of a 3d space in your head? What about miniatures? Do you paint your own? Make terrain?
None of this considers the most basic duty of the Gamemaster: hosting. Cat-herding your weirdo pals into ignoring their adult responsibilities long enough to join you in the fantasy land you’ve built in your head and play some elf games takes a lot of doing. Making sure people feel comfortable enough to exercise their imaginations is usually easy, if you play with your friends, but the consequences of failing that responsibility can feel massive. More often than not, you’re taking responsibility for the physical space, too.
Some players may contribute snacks; treasure them.
Not in meat space? I’d list the skills needed to run a VTT smoothly, but frankly, I’m still figuring out what those skills are. Leaving that aside, I’ve gone without a reliable internet connection often enough to know that it’s also pretty pivotal.
So here’s to the Gamemasters! You don’t have to be crazy, but it helps.
An Aside for the Real Crazies
Note that none of these skills are the ones you need to hack it if you want to make these games. Writing, editing, and layout are all necessities. Art skills (or a keen eye for public domain art) seem necessary these days. If you want to reach people, cinematography, video editing, and sound design will come in handy too. Then there’s the business stuff: marketing, branding, and so on. I think you’re meant to stand out, but avoid controversy.
You’ll be the first to know when I figure that stuff out.
The Good News
The good news? No one’s ever mastered all these skills. You won’t either, and you don’t have to. All it really takes to be a Gamemaster is a child’s ability to play pretend, a little can-do attitude, and some indulgent friends. All the other skills can come along the way.
Your players can help you with the math.
No one will mind if you do the same Scottish Accent for every dwarf and half the knights.
Ask one of the players to draw the map.
Being a Gamemaster is both impossible and easy. You got this.
Here’s to you.
Save yourself at least one or two of the Gamemaster’s traditional headaches and check out one of our Adventures!