I hate math. Not the article by Mark, but the subject itself. I’m terrible at it. I definitely didn’t get my dislike of math from my father who is much better at it than I am. I’d go so far as to say that he likes math, but it’s just not something I can get into. To me, math is dull and boring. Sure, the results of math can be fun (Who doesn’t like adding up the money in your wallet and finding out you’ve got five dollars more than you thought you did?), but devising methods of adding and subtracting numbers is not something I want to do. In most of my life this isn’t a problem, I don’t have a job that requires me to do complex math in my head or to build something to exacting specs. However, when math issues do come up, I’ll knuckle down and figure it out, making notes (mentally or on paper) so I remember what I did in case I have a similar problem to figure out later on.



To tie this into gaming we’ll look at the intro to Mark’s article which reads:



“Sometimes we create our own limitations; when that happens, we need to recognize them to get beyond them.”



While I feel that I’ve accomplished this task, at least to some degree, in regards to my math skills, I often wonder if I’ve done so with my gaming skills. I brought this up back in my Fight the Pattern! article, but I think this is a good time to expand things a bit further.



I know quit a few gamers that will only GM Their Game,and I think this is actually a normal occurance. Many game groups have different members who specialize in one game when they GM. If you want Paranoia, you call on Jeff, if you want MERP get in touch with Sarah. One friend of mine won’t run anything other than 1st ed AD&D or GURPS. A while back I asked him about this and he said that while he would like to try and run Vampire sometime, he felt that was “Brett’s game” and not only did he not want to step on my toes, he didn’t think the others in the group would accept him running my game.



At first I thought it was kinda strange, but then I thought about the first time I tried to run AD&D for my friends. Our regular GM was out and no one else wanted to run the game so I said I’d step up and do it. The group was just plain evil. Because I was different than our regular GM they questioned everything, complained about my style, didn’t like my monsters, hated the treasure I gave out. They made me feel terrible and I darn near quit gaming that day. With that memory in mind I could understand why my friend wouldn’t want to try and run a Vampire game with our group. He was afraid of what might happen when he tried something new.



Everyone gets into a groove (or rut perhaps?), in their gaming. Sometimes we take the chance and try something new, but there’s always the fear that things won’t work out. This fear is perhaps never greater than when someone steps up to GM a new game for the group. Even if that person is a veteran GM, when they try to run their first game of D&D, GURPS or whatever, there is a lot on the line for them. It’s times like these when the rest of the group really needs to band together and act as a team and support each other.



If you know the game system yourself (perhaps you’ve GMed it before?) you can be supportive by offering to look up statistics or to help the GM clarify an obtuse rule. I find it’s also worth while to simply accept a GM ruling even if you’re certain it’s “wrong.” Don’t slow down game play to point out the GM’s lack of familiarity with a new set of rules, either help out or encourage the GM to make a logical call and look up the answer later. Remember: Even if he doesn’t want to admit it, the GM is nervous the first time he runs a new game. Don’t prey on that for some advantage, and don’t rail against the GM’s skills. There will be time enough later on for the GM and players to discuss things and to make adjustments/improvements.



On the other side of the screen, the GM should do everything he can to prepare for the new game. I’ve been at many a game where the GM was obviously unfamiliar with the rulebook and thought he would just wing it and all would work out fine. Don’t try out your latest improv skill set at the first session of a brand new game. Stick with your usual style and with the tools that you know work for you.



If you usually use 3×5 cards for all your notes, now’s not the time to throw that tool out the window. Sure you can do it later on, but arm yourself with all of your tricks and trade secrets for that first game. By doing this you cut the unfamiliarity issue in half. Sure, you’re not 100% on the rules the way you are with your favorite game, but you are 100% on your style, tools and methods. Anything familiar is good to have, giving you a level of comfort and reliability which helps when trying something new.



Another thing to keep in mind is that most folks want to run a new game because they want to try something new. Be it their first foray into GMing, or the first time with this particular setting and rules system. New is inevitable in this situation. To help deal with it, I encourage GMs and players to take notes during the game, or to talk about the game after the session is over. Take the time to see what worked well and what seemed to be a roadblock. Was combat a pain? Best review those rules before next time. Did the players not fully understand the importance of X in the new setting? Better take the time to go over it again so next time things they’ll know what to do. Did that nifty super power not do what you thought it should have? Re-read those rules and see what the deal is.



If we can help eliminate or downplay the fear of trying something new we’ll get a chance to play or GM some great games we might not have normally been exposed to. We’ll also help expand and improve our gaming skills allowing us to get past our limitations, be they real or perceived.





Well, that’s enough out of me for now. See you all in the Forums!