I have been looking for a new space for a commuity d&d group but can't find anywhere free.
The cheapest space I can find is £50 per half day.
The fees are:
* £50 for the room / half day * £1 each for snacks and drinks.
I plan on having a maximum of 9 players and a minimum of 4, with an average of 6. I will be running 1 face to face game per month, and a discord server, as well a subreddit just for the group's current and past members as well as giving them exclusive access to a Minecraft server, just for them.
Any resources that they gather or craft on the Minecraft server, can be added to their character sheets. They will also get to play Minecraft with each other and past group members.
So group members will get the following:
1. Play d&d face to face once a month 2. Access to a private discord server 3. Access to a private subreddit 4. Access to a private Minecraft server 5. The ability to craft items in Minecraft and add hem to their character sheets. 6. A safe moderated space, both online and off, where they can talk, hangout and just be themselves.
Do you guys think that this is enough to justify having to pay a fee?
Also what do you think of DMs charging a fee to run a game?
Thanks everyone, I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.
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A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
The only real upkeep I can see is the rental cost for the space, everything else is admittedly free of charge.
If people want to play together as a stable group, and there is no one that can offer the space to game at, then the total cost of the rental should be split between all players (DM included), that goes without saying, but charge a fee for being a DM for one group feels somehow wrong to me.
I guess there would be situations in which this could be ok, although I struggle to think of any that I would really consider valid.
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Splitting the cost of renting a place to play is a no brainer, there is a gaming store where I live that rents out seats for D&D for a reasonable fee. I forget, but I think that it’s $5 or $8 per person for 3-4 hours and the DM doesn’t pay, which I think is fair.
There are some people who are DMing professionally who charge for it, but the ones who I’ve seen only charge for in person sessions.
I’d DM myself before paying someone else to DM, but that’s me. A lot of people don’t want to DM and there are more players than there are DMs from what I’ve seen.
Go for it. Figure out what to charge and see what happens.
I'm not sure this would even count as charging a fee to DM, it'd just be you and your group splitting costs, which is what a lot of groups do. None of what you mentioned other than the space to play have mandatory costs AFAIK, so you'd be asking everyone to chip in what, a tenner a session to pay for the space? Seems a lot (for the space in general) but if it's all you've got access to, you can make do.
As an aside, the Minecraft integration seems strange and broken. Like, they can spend their game time crafting an iron sword and suddenly their character now has a sword? Seems very weird.
I'm not sure this would even count as charging a fee to DM, it'd just be you and your group splitting costs, which is what a lot of groups do. None of what you mentioned other than the space to play have mandatory costs AFAIK, so you'd be asking everyone to chip in what, a tenner a session to pay for the space? Seems a lot (for the space in general) but if it's all you've got access to, you can make do.
As an aside, the Minecraft integration seems strange and broken. Like, they can spend their game time crafting an iron sword and suddenly their character now has a sword? Seems very weird.
Well actually, I meant having a binding agreement with either the player themselves if they are old enough, or the players parents if they are not.
That agreement would say that they were going to pay a fee, to attend the session and that they were agreeing to pay for 12 sessions.
That would give me recorse to recover any unpaid fees, and allow me to pay for the space and snacks.
It wouldn't really be a case of "just chip in" because I would need the fees to be guaranteed and paid, either up front or before the session.
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A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
That's very weird and not at all binding. Also, what happens if someone decides they don't like the group or 10 sessions in their character dies and they don't want to carry on playing? Or they can't make a session for whatever reason?
Basically you're opening yourself up to a lot of strife for no reason, friends aren't going to want to sign an agreement like this, nor are strangers. And what 'recourse' would you have? Legal action? Threaten their characters? Send round Charlie to break a few kneecaps? Nah, it's not an idea that's going to work
If you're concerned about having the money to pay for the session up front, maybe ask your group to chip in for the next session at the end of the current one? That'll incentivise people to turn up because they've already chipped in.
That's very weird and not at all binding. Also, what happens if someone decides they don't like the group or 10 sessions in their character dies and they don't want to carry on playing? Or they can't make a session for whatever reason?
Basically you're opening yourself up to a lot of strife for no reason, friends aren't going to want to sign an agreement like this, nor are strangers. And what 'recourse' would you have? Legal action? Threaten their characters? Send round Charlie to break a few kneecaps? Nah, it's not an idea that's going to work
If you're concerned about having the money to pay for the session up front, maybe ask your group to chip in for the next session at the end of the current one? That'll incentivise people to turn up because they've already chipped in.
Perhaps you're right. It is really sad that I can no longer finance the group. It also sticks in my throat that I'd have to ask them to pay.
I am not sure what "chipping in" means. To me that means people give a few random donations, a few pence here, a few pence there, or they pay nothing at all.
I wouldn't be able to run the group like that. I need a guaranteed income, to pay the fees for the group. Something like a subscription or a membership.
Perhaps the best thing is just to let it go. I am sure some of the players will be able to continue to play together at one of their houses.
It is sad though
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
I think just ask for $60 up front from each player to cover the costs of the room for the year (or $5 a month if these are people you know reasonably well and would pay on time)
And then just rotate who buys snacks each week or bring your own.
@SocialFoxes Chipping in would mean at either the start or end of each session, you say "Hey, the venue cost £50 so can I get £10 each to cover it? If not, then I can't afford to pay myself and we don't have anywhere to pay". It doesn't mean random donations, it just means sharing the cost informally.
You don't need a subscription or membership, you're not running a business. Just be upfront; tell your group that everyone needs to share the cost or there won't be anywhere to play.
As for snacks and whatnot, let everyone deal with that themselves. This is what I do for my groups, if we have a large expense such as when I bought all the books on DDB or when I booked a venue out for a game, I just said "hey guys, I need this much from each of you" No agreements or signatures or anything excessive like that
Hey, s'all good. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect everyone to contribute towards the costs of playing D&D, but I don't think formalising it so heavily is a good idea.
Believe it or not, there are people who are earning their livings as professional DM's. They charge what I consider a large amount and in exchange they spend at least 2 hours and usually 3 hours prepping for every hour that they spend DM'ing. I'd never pay what they charge, but it happens.
That's very weird and not at all binding. Also, what happens if someone decides they don't like the group or 10 sessions in their character dies and they don't want to carry on playing? Or they can't make a session for whatever reason?
Basically you're opening yourself up to a lot of strife for no reason, friends aren't going to want to sign an agreement like this, nor are strangers. And what 'recourse' would you have? Legal action? Threaten their characters? Send round Charlie to break a few kneecaps? Nah, it's not an idea that's going to work
If you're concerned about having the money to pay for the session up front, maybe ask your group to chip in for the next session at the end of the current one? That'll incentivise people to turn up because they've already chipped in.
Perhaps you're right. It is really sad that I can no longer finance the group. It also sticks in my throat that I'd have to ask them to pay.
I am not sure what "chipping in" means. To me that means people give a few random donations, a few pence here, a few pence there, or they pay nothing at all.
I wouldn't be able to run the group like that. I need a guaranteed income, to pay the fees for the group. Something like a subscription or a membership.
Perhaps the best thing is just to let it go. I am sure some of the players will be able to continue to play together at one of their houses.
It is sad though
Ok, NOW I understand what you're talking about. You're really talking about recouping enough money to pay for the space where you play and you have to sign a contract for the space yourself.
Just a thought, have you considered talking to local coffee shops, or similar venues, that have secluded areas and asked about playing in them? Promise that everyone in the group will buy anything that they consume there and get an agreement from the group that they will not bring anything to eat or drink with them. And if anyone breaks that promise tell them to either leave it in their car or leave.
Believe it or not, there are people who are earning their livings as professional DM's. They charge what I consider a large amount and in exchange they spend at least 2 hours and usually 3 hours prepping for every hour that they spend DM'ing. I'd never pay what they charge, but it happens.
Oh, I believe it, but I think it's utterly ridiculous. I typically bring enough beer and chips to every game for everyone at the table. If there is beer left over at the end of the game, it becomes the DM's beer.
I've never heard a DM complain that that wasn't enough "compensation" for his efforts.
And now with AL groups available at almost every gaming store, a DM for hire is completely unnecessary.
Ok, NOW I understand what you're talking about. You're really talking about recouping enough money to pay for the space where you play and you have to sign a contract for the space yourself.
Just a thought, have you considered talking to local coffee shops, or similar venues, that have secluded areas and asked about playing in them? Promise that everyone in the group will buy anything that they consume there and get an agreement from the group that they will not bring anything to eat or drink with them. And if anyone breaks that promise tell them to either leave it in their car or leave.
We've always had plenty of luck sitting in the back corner of a {dive} bar. Low traffic and the management is always happy to have us (actual customers) buying drinks and keeping to ourselves. Occasionally we'd get an old-timer stopping over to see what the commotion was about, leading to a short story about when he used to play 20 years ago.
Free spaces to play are out there; Game stores know you want it and are happy to charge for the convenience.
I play in a campaign where we play in a local bar on Tuesday nights. They’re dead on Tuesdays, all bars are, so they’re thrilled to have the paying customers and we get a “free” place to play. The DM who organized everything drinks for free too because the owner appreciates the business.
Hi guys,
I have been looking for a new space for a commuity d&d group but can't find anywhere free.
The cheapest space I can find is £50 per half day.
The fees are:
* £50 for the room / half day
* £1 each for snacks and drinks.
I plan on having a maximum of 9 players and a minimum of 4, with an average of 6. I will be running 1 face to face game per month, and a discord server, as well a subreddit just for the group's current and past members as well as giving them exclusive access to a Minecraft server, just for them.
Any resources that they gather or craft on the Minecraft server, can be added to their character sheets. They will also get to play Minecraft with each other and past group members.
So group members will get the following:
1. Play d&d face to face once a month
2. Access to a private discord server
3. Access to a private subreddit
4. Access to a private Minecraft server
5. The ability to craft items in Minecraft and add hem to their character sheets.
6. A safe moderated space, both online and off, where they can talk, hangout and just be themselves.
Do you guys think that this is enough to justify having to pay a fee?
Also what do you think of DMs charging a fee to run a game?
Thanks everyone, I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
The only real upkeep I can see is the rental cost for the space, everything else is admittedly free of charge.
If people want to play together as a stable group, and there is no one that can offer the space to game at, then the total cost of the rental should be split between all players (DM included), that goes without saying, but charge a fee for being a DM for one group feels somehow wrong to me.
I guess there would be situations in which this could be ok, although I struggle to think of any that I would really consider valid.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Splitting the cost of renting a place to play is a no brainer, there is a gaming store where I live that rents out seats for D&D for a reasonable fee. I forget, but I think that it’s $5 or $8 per person for 3-4 hours and the DM doesn’t pay, which I think is fair.
There are some people who are DMing professionally who charge for it, but the ones who I’ve seen only charge for in person sessions.
I’d DM myself before paying someone else to DM, but that’s me. A lot of people don’t want to DM and there are more players than there are DMs from what I’ve seen.
Go for it. Figure out what to charge and see what happens.
Professional computer geek
I'm not sure this would even count as charging a fee to DM, it'd just be you and your group splitting costs, which is what a lot of groups do. None of what you mentioned other than the space to play have mandatory costs AFAIK, so you'd be asking everyone to chip in what, a tenner a session to pay for the space? Seems a lot (for the space in general) but if it's all you've got access to, you can make do.
As an aside, the Minecraft integration seems strange and broken. Like, they can spend their game time crafting an iron sword and suddenly their character now has a sword? Seems very weird.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
There is a thread in the DM subforum about this if you need more opinions.
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Well actually, I meant having a binding agreement with either the player themselves if they are old enough, or the players parents if they are not.
That agreement would say that they were going to pay a fee, to attend the session and that they were agreeing to pay for 12 sessions.
That would give me recorse to recover any unpaid fees, and allow me to pay for the space and snacks.
It wouldn't really be a case of "just chip in" because I would need the fees to be guaranteed and paid, either up front or before the session.
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
That's very weird and not at all binding. Also, what happens if someone decides they don't like the group or 10 sessions in their character dies and they don't want to carry on playing? Or they can't make a session for whatever reason?
Basically you're opening yourself up to a lot of strife for no reason, friends aren't going to want to sign an agreement like this, nor are strangers. And what 'recourse' would you have? Legal action? Threaten their characters? Send round Charlie to break a few kneecaps? Nah, it's not an idea that's going to work
If you're concerned about having the money to pay for the session up front, maybe ask your group to chip in for the next session at the end of the current one? That'll incentivise people to turn up because they've already chipped in.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Perhaps you're right. It is really sad that I can no longer finance the group. It also sticks in my throat that I'd have to ask them to pay.
I am not sure what "chipping in" means. To me that means people give a few random donations, a few pence here, a few pence there, or they pay nothing at all.
I wouldn't be able to run the group like that. I need a guaranteed income, to pay the fees for the group. Something like a subscription or a membership.
Perhaps the best thing is just to let it go. I am sure some of the players will be able to continue to play together at one of their houses.
It is sad though
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
I think just ask for $60 up front from each player to cover the costs of the room for the year (or $5 a month if these are people you know reasonably well and would pay on time)
And then just rotate who buys snacks each week or bring your own.
Site Info: Wizard's ToS | Fan Content Policy | Forum Rules | Physical Books | Content Not Working | Contact Support
How To: Homebrew Rules | Create Homebrew | Snippet Codes | Tool Tips (Custom) | Rollables (Generator)
My Homebrew: Races | Subclasses | Backgrounds | Feats | Spells | Magic Items
Other: Beyond20 | Page References | Other Guides | Entitlements | Dice Randomization | Images Fix | FAQ
@SocialFoxes Chipping in would mean at either the start or end of each session, you say "Hey, the venue cost £50 so can I get £10 each to cover it? If not, then I can't afford to pay myself and we don't have anywhere to pay". It doesn't mean random donations, it just means sharing the cost informally.
You don't need a subscription or membership, you're not running a business. Just be upfront; tell your group that everyone needs to share the cost or there won't be anywhere to play.
As for snacks and whatnot, let everyone deal with that themselves. This is what I do for my groups, if we have a large expense such as when I bought all the books on DDB or when I booked a venue out for a game, I just said "hey guys, I need this much from each of you" No agreements or signatures or anything excessive like that
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Oh, I see what you mean. I think I had misunderstood what chipping in was referring too. thanks for clearing up my mistake.
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
Hey, s'all good. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect everyone to contribute towards the costs of playing D&D, but I don't think formalising it so heavily is a good idea.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
If you can't find a place to play without paying for a space, then it makes sense for everyone to split the cost.
But charging for DMing?
Well what a great way to ensure that you don't have any players....
Believe it or not, there are people who are earning their livings as professional DM's. They charge what I consider a large amount and in exchange they spend at least 2 hours and usually 3 hours prepping for every hour that they spend DM'ing. I'd never pay what they charge, but it happens.
Professional computer geek
Ok, NOW I understand what you're talking about. You're really talking about recouping enough money to pay for the space where you play and you have to sign a contract for the space yourself.
Just a thought, have you considered talking to local coffee shops, or similar venues, that have secluded areas and asked about playing in them? Promise that everyone in the group will buy anything that they consume there and get an agreement from the group that they will not bring anything to eat or drink with them. And if anyone breaks that promise tell them to either leave it in their car or leave.
Professional computer geek
Oh, I believe it, but I think it's utterly ridiculous. I typically bring enough beer and chips to every game for everyone at the table. If there is beer left over at the end of the game, it becomes the DM's beer.
I've never heard a DM complain that that wasn't enough "compensation" for his efforts.
And now with AL groups available at almost every gaming store, a DM for hire is completely unnecessary.
We've always had plenty of luck sitting in the back corner of a {dive} bar. Low traffic and the management is always happy to have us (actual customers) buying drinks and keeping to ourselves. Occasionally we'd get an old-timer stopping over to see what the commotion was about, leading to a short story about when he used to play 20 years ago.
Free spaces to play are out there; Game stores know you want it and are happy to charge for the convenience.
I play in a campaign where we play in a local bar on Tuesday nights. They’re dead on Tuesdays, all bars are, so they’re thrilled to have the paying customers and we get a “free” place to play. The DM who organized everything drinks for free too because the owner appreciates the business.
Professional computer geek