This frustrates me to no end.
Four of the biggest fantasy tabletop roleplaying games just released Dungeon/Game Master books in the past year. There is no way there could be a shortage of people buying, reading them, or running games. There are old DM/GMs coming back into the hobby. There are professional DM/GMs out there. You can even find GM-less or cooperative gaming experiences outside of Dungeons & Dragons. There are always options!
I love y’all. I already shot an entire video on this subject today and then deleted it because I was yelling and in rant mode. I’m very passionate about Game Mastering. There are any number of books out there on how to be a GM or be a better GM. Not to mention countless videos, convention talks, and tutorials in several Quickstart guides.
You also have me, right here. I’ve been talking about new DM/GMs a lot lately. That’s not going to let up. It’s rapidly becoming my crusade.
Let me say it again for the people in the back, “THERE’S NO DM/GM SHORTAGE!”
It’s easier for 5 GMs to find players than it is for 5 players to find a GM. However, in the case of no GM, all it takes is for ONE player to take on the mantle and run a game. It’s fun and easy. I promise. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s difficult or stressful. Anyone can be a Game Master if they’re willing to try.
A group of GMs or people capable of GMing have it easy. Take turns running for the group. Or just keep one constant GM and everyone else gets to play for a change. Woot! Critical fail is when five people sit around and complain because there are no GMs.
Heck, if worse comes to worse- Hire a professional GM. Admittedly that is best suited for online play, but every major metropolitan area seems to have at least one or two pro GMs around. Not my jam. I run for free, but my schedule is very limited right now.
There are also plenty of websites such as Start Playing where one can locate a GM. Most Virtual TableTop platforms have them as well. Many forums dedicated to specific roleplaying games also have a Looking For Group area. Many TTRPG related Discord servers have them as well. The point is, there are Game Masters out there for almost any game on any given day.
Proclaiming a DM/GM shortage is like saying, “I love living in lack.”
We want to live in abundance! That’s what we’re doing here on Earth as people. Family don’t settle for anything less than being the change you want to see. There’s no shortage if all it takes is for one person to step up. It doesn’t have to be a permanent seat, either. Trade off GMs. It’s okay.
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE!
This supposed shortage of GMs isn’t even a new problem. I remember my days of running six to eight convention games back-to-back on almost no sleep. Supposedly nobody wanted to run games. Ironically, I met several fellow GMs at my table during various games. I wasn’t alone, I’m just the one who volunteered that day.
Tinfoil Hat Time.
Do you know who benefits from us walking around crying about a Dungeon Master shortage? Guess who stands to make a pile of money if we can’t find Dungeon Masters. Yup. “Good” old Wizards of the Coast loves it when we cry about no Dungeon Masters.
I think that was their ultimate goal. The new Dungeon Master’s Guide is packed full of information, albeit much of it is player-facing. But if the world is full of (cash paying) players, well that’s just perfect for WotC. That way they can rope as many people as possible into their digital online subscription service. They stand to make big bucks off of AI DMs and Dungeons & Dragons Go or whatever they call it.
No DM for your analog in person game? Just jump on the video game platform of D&D and grind for several hours to get that new weapon skin. Build up your virtual real estate bastion for that Warlock character. At some point it starts to sound like every other MMORPG out there. It’s World of Warcraft sans the whimsy. I’ll pass, thanks.
I am not giving in to the Reptilian Overlords at Hasbro.
They can keep their VTT nonsense to themselves. I won’t allow D&D Go or whatever in my house while I still draw breath. Online games are a perfectly good substitute for in-person tabletop game play. That’s a viable alternative to a DM/GM shortage. But whatever D&D Beyond is becoming and this new VTT they’re planning? Nope. Nope. Nope.
As always, do what you think is best for you at your table. Buy into WotC’s thing and try it out when it becomes available. Is it as good as in-person play? I already have my doubts, but I want everyone to decide for themselves. I think there might be a bit of a separation in terms of age groups, but that’s okay.
The thing I find almost completely unacceptable personally is having the whole thing crammed down our throats because there’s some false notion of a DM shortage. One, there are plenty of other games out there. Two, there are plenty of people willing to run things that aren’t D&D 5E. Last, there are plenty of options outside of WotC’s VTT for people who just want to play D&D together.
I’m pro gaming. I’m for empowering and encouraging new or returning DM/GMs to get out there and run their next games. This false narrative of a shortage has got to go! I’m serious!
Come over to Dragonbane. It’s an easier system and we have cookies. (*Cookies not actually included.) Still mirth and mayhem over shortage and lack every day of the week. Come learn to be a GM. It’s worth the time and energy. It’s fun!
Thank you for being here today with me. I appreciate you. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy.
Jeff's Game Box 