First, let me give you something useful. With less than 6 months to go, I thought I’d point you all to the GenCon Survival Guide. Enjoy.
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Phil Gamer had an interesting article the other day on the (generally unspoken) code of conduct that he uses when approaching the gaming table. He’s got some pretty insightful stuff over there. I will say this, however; His “commitments” as a player really reflect what he (and most GMs) want to see from their players, rather than what players tend to like to see and do in their game. Fact is, most players don’t worry about “giving the GM a headache” or how much effort the GM has put in. It’s not that they’re malicious; rather, they’re indifferent. Just as most GMs are, to one degree or another, with their players.
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Now, I know I’m likely to generate a lot of controversy with this, much like my “open letter” from last March. I know that I’m kind of in a crappy mood today anyways. Really, I need to keep this inside my head, and wait until a better time, when I’m not edgy.
I’m not gonna do that, though.
So, I offer you my re-designed contract for Players. As a DM, here’s what I want:
Come prepared. Don’t forget to level your character, or leave your character sheet or dice in the car. I spent hours writing the adventure, and I lugged hundreds of pounds of books and shit here, you can pick a feat, roll some hit points, divvy up 4 skill points, and bring in two fricking sheets of paper.
Leave your problems at the door. Yeah, I care that your girlfriend dumped you. If you’re that affected, let’s all go get a beer and sing karaoke. But if you want to play D&D, leave the baggage outside. Or, turn those emotions into some seriously good role-playing. Either way is fine with me.
Don’t be a rude ass. I don’t care if the Paladin has taken 10 minutes to pray away the fungus from under his toenail. I’m as bored with it as you are. But if you won’t shut up and quit interrupting, we’ll never get past it.
Three simple fracking things. Think you can manage that, Poindexter? Good. Then sit down, get out your dice, and let’s get rolling.
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(As regret already sets in… Let me give a disclaimer to my local players: As a player, *I* have been guilty of every one of the above sins, more frequently than any of you. I’ve said it before, DMs often make the worst players, and it is especially true in my case. I’m ranting as much, if not more, about myself here than I am anyone else.)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey there mrboffo,
I’ll be the first to admit that the social contract I put up does sound like I’m being too optimistic when it comes to expectations for players and GMs. Kind of like what most holy texts expect from the adherents of their faith.
It’s not carved in stone, but I do think that referring to my personal social contract is a good way to keep tabs on myself, and a litmus test on if I’m being a disruptive player, or an overbearing GM.
I do, essentially, agree with everything you said in your contract. I just think that players and GMs tend to see the world differently, and the things that matter to me when I’m GMing seem to be irrelevant when I’m a player.
In that whole train of thought, It would be interesting to see someone who doesn’t GM write the contract, and see how much they differ and how much they are the same.
Good call…
I’ll go and ask a few people if they can draft one and I’ll put it up on Philgamer
Great idea, I look forward to it!