I’m wondering if anyone here has had experience DMing for start playing. I’m curious to hear what the experience is like, how the platform works, and the success level of finding and keeping paying players.
PM me if you are open to discussing.
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Writer • Podcaster • Professional Gamemaster
playing Jin Wei, human (Kara-tur) way of the Four Elements Monk in the Princes of the Apocalypse
I DM'ed for Start Playing two years ago and had a great time. The only reason I stopped was that I got a new job that paid a TON and needed all of my time.
Their systems and support were great. I felt like I could ask anything, and also that I didn't need to most of the time as they were proactive. If I ever go this route again, I'll absolutely look to Start Playing.
This is not a paid endorsement, I was just happy :)
I DM'ed for Start Playing two years ago and had a great time. The only reason I stopped was that I got a new job that paid a TON and needed all of my time.
Their systems and support were great. I felt like I could ask anything, and also that I didn't need to most of the time as they were proactive. If I ever go this route again, I'll absolutely look to Start Playing.
This is not a paid endorsement, I was just happy :)
Thanks for that info.
How difficult was it to attract players? And how long would they tend to stick around? Were you running long term or short term campaigns?
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Writer • Podcaster • Professional Gamemaster
playing Jin Wei, human (Kara-tur) way of the Four Elements Monk in the Princes of the Apocalypse
My experience was less positive. I found very few players thinking far ahead which made planning much more difficult. It tended to be people looking for pick-up games rather than long term campaigns. For example I had games that I posted about a month in advance, and games I posted on the day of first session...the sign up numbers were identical and all around the same time. It really didn't suit my play style.
That said, I am in the UK and my experience is that there is a relucatance here in the UK to paying for games unless it's covering the hire of space at a Board Game Cafe or similar social group.
[Edit: oh and I wasn't charging for games, so that might skew the answer]
My experience was less positive. I found very few players thinking far ahead which made planning much more difficult. It tended to be people looking for pick-up games rather than long term campaigns. For example I had games that I posted about a month in advance, and games I posted on the day of first session...the sign up numbers were identical and all around the same time. It really didn't suit my play style.
That said, I am in the UK and my experience is that there is a relucatance here in the UK to paying for games unless it's covering the hire of space at a Board Game Cafe or similar social group.
[Edit: oh and I wasn't charging for games, so that might skew the answer]
Thanks for the feedback!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Writer • Podcaster • Professional Gamemaster
playing Jin Wei, human (Kara-tur) way of the Four Elements Monk in the Princes of the Apocalypse
Is this Start Playing an actual platform to play on (such as Roll20), or just say, a Twitter Store for D&D?
My understanding is that Start Playing is the platform you play on. It is a marketplace where people who want to play ttrpgs can find a game and game master. Generally it is a paid gig by the session for the GM.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Writer • Podcaster • Professional Gamemaster
playing Jin Wei, human (Kara-tur) way of the Four Elements Monk in the Princes of the Apocalypse
Is this Start Playing an actual platform to play on (such as Roll20), or just say, a Twitter Store for D&D?
It's pretty much one website dedicated to those Looking for Group/Looking for Party. Mainly it's people running paid for sessions, but for pretty much any game.
My experience was less positive. I found very few players thinking far ahead which made planning much more difficult. It tended to be people looking for pick-up games rather than long term campaigns. For example I had games that I posted about a month in advance, and games I posted on the day of first session...the sign up numbers were identical and all around the same time. It really didn't suit my play style.
That said, I am in the UK and my experience is that there is a relucatance here in the UK to paying for games unless it's covering the hire of space at a Board Game Cafe or similar social group.
[Edit: oh and I wasn't charging for games, so that might skew the answer]
I advertised my games (paid) in forums that allowed LFP posts for paid games. I also ran campaigns (Phandelver, Ravenloft, Frostmaiden) and was clear that the goal was to play until the campaign finished, if at all possible.
From everything I learned, including from other DM's on Start Playing Games, the only way to get it going is to hustle. I'm a marketer by trade and I hustled to get the word out. Posting the game(s) in the SPG calendar as LFP is just the beginning.
There was a healthy pick up game crowd, I didn't appeal to them so I didn't engage with them.
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I’m wondering if anyone here has had experience DMing for start playing. I’m curious to hear what the experience is like, how the platform works, and the success level of finding and keeping paying players.
PM me if you are open to discussing.
Writer • Podcaster • Professional Gamemaster
playing Jin Wei, human (Kara-tur) way of the Four Elements Monk in the Princes of the Apocalypse
I DM'ed for Start Playing two years ago and had a great time. The only reason I stopped was that I got a new job that paid a TON and needed all of my time.
Their systems and support were great. I felt like I could ask anything, and also that I didn't need to most of the time as they were proactive. If I ever go this route again, I'll absolutely look to Start Playing.
This is not a paid endorsement, I was just happy :)
Thanks for that info.
How difficult was it to attract players? And how long would they tend to stick around? Were you running long term or short term campaigns?
Writer • Podcaster • Professional Gamemaster
playing Jin Wei, human (Kara-tur) way of the Four Elements Monk in the Princes of the Apocalypse
My experience was less positive. I found very few players thinking far ahead which made planning much more difficult. It tended to be people looking for pick-up games rather than long term campaigns. For example I had games that I posted about a month in advance, and games I posted on the day of first session...the sign up numbers were identical and all around the same time. It really didn't suit my play style.
That said, I am in the UK and my experience is that there is a relucatance here in the UK to paying for games unless it's covering the hire of space at a Board Game Cafe or similar social group.
[Edit: oh and I wasn't charging for games, so that might skew the answer]
DM session planning template - My version of maps for 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' - Send your party to The Circus - Other DM Resources - Maps, Tokens, Quests - 'Better' Player Character Injury Tables?
Actor, Writer, Director & Teacher by day - GM/DM in my off hours.
Is this Start Playing an actual platform to play on (such as Roll20), or just say, a Twitter Store for D&D?
Enjoy your slop. I'll be enjoying good products elsewhere.
Thanks for the feedback!
Writer • Podcaster • Professional Gamemaster
playing Jin Wei, human (Kara-tur) way of the Four Elements Monk in the Princes of the Apocalypse
My understanding is that Start Playing is the platform you play on. It is a marketplace where people who want to play ttrpgs can find a game and game master. Generally it is a paid gig by the session for the GM.
Writer • Podcaster • Professional Gamemaster
playing Jin Wei, human (Kara-tur) way of the Four Elements Monk in the Princes of the Apocalypse
It's pretty much one website dedicated to those Looking for Group/Looking for Party. Mainly it's people running paid for sessions, but for pretty much any game.
DM session planning template - My version of maps for 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' - Send your party to The Circus - Other DM Resources - Maps, Tokens, Quests - 'Better' Player Character Injury Tables?
Actor, Writer, Director & Teacher by day - GM/DM in my off hours.
I advertised my games (paid) in forums that allowed LFP posts for paid games. I also ran campaigns (Phandelver, Ravenloft, Frostmaiden) and was clear that the goal was to play until the campaign finished, if at all possible.
From everything I learned, including from other DM's on Start Playing Games, the only way to get it going is to hustle. I'm a marketer by trade and I hustled to get the word out. Posting the game(s) in the SPG calendar as LFP is just the beginning.
There was a healthy pick up game crowd, I didn't appeal to them so I didn't engage with them.