Hi all,

Under the assumption that we all have relatively diverse backgrounds... and ages...  and maturity (in my case, perhaps a lack thereof :),  let's see why we do what we do !

Title says it all,  "Why do you choose to DM" ?

For me, it's a bit of control.  I like knowing that the world I am playing in has rules and is consistent. The players then create stories in that world, and I just do the bookkeeping.

As a corollary, I get to play a lot of different characters each session and this helps me not be bored :)

Why do you do it?

I love finding out what's going to happen next :)

I love simulations - setting up situations, and seeing what happens if I set it up this way. I love the creativity of creating world lore, and interesting ( I hope ) NPCs - and watching the Players use them with their  creativity to create events and unfolding narratives that are at least interesting, if not always controlled or sane ;)

I love watching Players trying to figure out what's going on ( and sometimes actually succeeding! ), deducing what the bad guys are up to, and trying to find creative ways to stop them.

I guess I love the collaboration between what I've created, and what they create with it.

Ultimately, because no one else would do it?

I started DM-ing so my DM could finally play as a PC. We try to switch between campaigns so neither of us gets DM fatigue.

Quote from Sparkson >>

Ultimately, because no one else would do it?

 This is pretty much my reason too. :)

Oh come on - are you guys really saying that the only reason you DM is because no one else in your group will do it? If someone else wanted the "hotseat", you'd give it up?

I can totally believe that many of us sat down in the hotseat for that reason, but what keeps you there?

As much as I would love to find another group where I could occasionally play as well, I'd hate to stop DM'ing.

Quote from Sparkson >>

Ultimately, because no one else would do it?

*Sigh* This. Though I do prefer DMing over playing, no one else will DM.

I'm a megalomaniac who gets nervous when she doesn't have complete knowledge of everything that's going on at all times.

Power is fun; anything goes I create and destroy a fun game. I love the way my players react to story and combat encounters they barely scrape by. I love my players writhing with anticipation waiting and asking when the next session will be; it feels good when you are an appreciated and complimented DM (and REALLY shitty when they don't recognize the time and effort you put in). 

Other reason: I work around machines all day in a factory so I don't normally talk with people; this is a great way to offset my work and personal life. I never used to be the center of the group but now with DMing I also have a little therapy (now I love when people are asking ME to come up with and do something first and everyone follows me). Plenty of other reason but nothing even close to being because no one else will (all good reason).   Good topic :D

1) Its fun

2) It is great to see a plan come together

3) It is ultimately creative

4) It is amazing to see the players interact with the story and expand on it

5) It is always unpredictable and having to think on your feet to adapt is also a lot of fun

6) It is awesome when some random event you toss in just for fun (e.g. a meteor during one of the night's watches) which leads to nothing at the time except the players all waking up and feeling nervous wondering if something is about to happen ... connects perfectly with a plot line that develops a couple of months later that wasn't even conceived when the random event occurs ... and all the players think you planned it all along.

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The main reasons folks have trouble with DMing is because

1) You put yourself on the line trying to keep folks entertained and bring a cool story to life (whether it is your own campaign or a module) and sometimes it just doesn't work.

2) It requires a certain amount of an outgoing nature to interact with the players (some of whom may be complete strangers if it is a new group) but also the ability to retain, conceal and hide information from the players in order to make the module fun

3) You want to have a plan and an idea of how the world functions, what NPCs and monsters are around, what could happen if the PCs walk in any direction or make any number of myriad decisions but at the same time you want to be spontaneous and need the ability to make things up and flesh out details as you go along to make the framework you have created (or taken from the module) seem real to the players.

DMing is an amazingly fun challenge that more folks should try.

I only DM, I do not play at all. and to be honest I have no real interest in being a PC.

I do it because I love to teach the game to new players and meeting new people, I also do it because I love Crafting too, I enjoy making things to use in my games.

But ultimately, I just want to be a "Professional DM".

I DM for many reasons, here's a few:

I enjoy creating worlds, npcs, stories, and all the little cogs and wheels that go into a good game. There's such a reward from watching the effort you've put into a game making your players respond in true emotional kind. Anger from watching an NPC betray them, remorse when a creature or person dies, excitement when they finish a particular story arc, and surprise when they realize that they are more than a piece of paper as the world reacts to them in ways they'd never expected. Then there's the reward from listening to them talk to random people about the game with the same excitement as I get when talking about it.

I enjoy watching my players, both watching them grow as players and as people. The game helps people explore themselves, it's therapeutic and it's a safe environment to explore. Many of my players will use the game to help them express themselves, their anger, their depression, their problems at home or work, and playing in my games gives them a safe place to do this. It also challenges them, solving puzzles and social situations, tactics in combat, leadership skills in various missions, so many skills that they can use in the future, the game helps hone them.

I love being surprised and being forced to think quickly to resolve whatever my players are doing. I have a very creative mind, as a player I come up with some really goofy ideas and I love it when my players do the same to me. Staying three steps ahead of my players is my goal, and for the most part I can accomplish that. However, those moments when they toss something crazy at me that I could not anticipate are my favorite. I want to be challenged, and as a player it's hard for me to get that feeling, as a DM, my players have the ability to do that multiple times a session.

I make a poor player, I've memorized much of the rules, monster manual, splat books, etc. so very little catches me off guard when I play. I come up with ideas and plans that are obscure all the time. I, apparently, have a look I get that intimidates my DMs and causes them to second guess their decisions. It's in part due to them knowing I've been behind the screen much longer than them, and in part because they are new to the role and don't want to mess up. I have a bad habit of speaking up when the DM seems to flounder and offer solutions, rather than keeping quiet and letting them figure it out, or ask for help. All things that I'm working on correcting, but it does make me difficult at times. 

Lastly, I'm an introvert, this game allows me to gather around people and not feel overwhelmed. I get my friends, or strangers, together in an environment where I can let myself go and just have fun. It's 4 hours of pure, unadulterated goofing off that I wouldn't trade for anything. Even the worst games are enjoyable in the end because I got to hang with people and share a passion. As well, with streaming being a major player in the hobby, I get to share it with everyone. Teaching, playing, learning, and hanging out, all of the things that I enjoy doing and I don't have the emotional inhibitions I would normally have.

I actually find it kinda sad the responses of 'because no one else would do it'. I strongly believe that all players should at least try DMing at least once. As you never know, they might like it... I wanted to give my regular DM a break so volunteered. I've been running campaigns for them now for coming up on two years. Yes it can be a lot of work, but where you normally just get to create a character who reacts to situations that are presented to them, as the DM you get to create a world, and I find that horribly addictive.

Quote from JuanSmeeth >>

... I strongly believe that all players should at least try DMing at least once. As you never know, they might like it...

I agree with that one - and I think that DMs should be Players as well ( at least occasionally ). I think both sides should understand what the other's viewpoint is.

Quote from Vedexent >>

Quote from JuanSmeeth >>

... I strongly believe that all players should at least try DMing at least once. As you never know, they might like it...

 

I agree with that one - and I think that DMs should be Players as well ( at least occasionally ). I think both sides should understand what the other's viewpoint is.

I agree as well, but tell that to my players.

I hear you - I was a Player in one of my Player's other game - but he moved to Australia.

Have you brought this up with your players? Sometimes all they need is a push? I never thought I'd DM and I love it; one day a dm in a west marches reached out to me and held my hand through a few sessions. Maybe if you want to play as a player scope out who you think MIGHT* be a good dm; start with the players that help others out with rules and are your best RPers (these will be the best dms). Good Luck!

First I DM for the many of the same reasons DMThac0 provided.

I like building a world with depth to it and then getting to see the reactions when the players figure out how stuff is related.  I love it when they decide they want to know about the plethora of symbols I sprinkle all over the landscape.  I get a great feeling when they see a group of paladins ride by and recognize from their heraldry which nation they belong to even though they haven't visited that nation yet.  I like to see them figure out that if they help the blacksmith, he might help them later when they really need it.  And when I have the time I like to read them an epic poem about their exploits the bard is sharing in the square as they arrive from some distant land.

To tag along with some of the other posts just above mine, I also would like most players to try DMing once just so they can see how they need to contribute to the story not argue with the DM.  And I also agree it would be healthy for DMs to play as PCs once in a while.  If they have no better reason, maybe their character can become the Baron of this kingdom in their setting and they have an epic story of his exploits to share with his players.

For me, it's a creative outlet that allows me to tell stories and as someone that's always had trouble getting words onto paper or doc this allows me to enjoy and not feel as stressed. As well as being to build a world with as much history as I'd like even though I only prep the necessary lore for a session most of the time. As well as knowing what's going on and having some sort of control.