The first game I ran, I went waaaay overboard with creating props, music and even lighting. It really helped. The players were impressed and it got me less inhibited and caught up in the story, which got the players into it too. I handwaved a crapload of rules and just made command decisions to call advantage/disadvantage rolls. From a technical standpoint it was absolute garbage. From a roleplaying/story standpoint it was a ton of fun! So I have since then taken more of a non-technical approach, and done liberal house rules to maximize in-game time over fussing over book chapters/verses.
Back when I started gaming, there wasn't any advice for first time game masters. It was like learning to sky dive by first jumping out of a plane. The first time I tried to run Call of Cthulhu, I had misplaced the core rule book. I tried to run the scenario using the Chill system, but the players made it clear that they didn't care about the scenario, they wanted to check out Chaosium's system.
I find that the mindset prep and planning how to start your first RPG session is the hardest part. The rest will start to flow and come with practice! What's the most difficult hurdle for you as a new GM?
Learn the rules as best you can and don’t sweat it. If there’s a question, rule in favor of the players, and look it up later. If you’re playing CoC, they’ll be dead or insane soon enough
Great question. I've decided to shift my content to focus on roleplaying games. Although I still have an interest in Lovecraft stories, any content surrounding them will be in the context of the Call of Cthulhu RPG.
Great comprehensive video for first time GMs!
Hi great video! Thanks for another helpful video.
Planning a DnD 5e (e.g. Essentials kit) would be great as an example for new DMs..
The first game I ran, I went waaaay overboard with creating props, music and even lighting. It really helped. The players were impressed and it got me less inhibited and caught up in the story, which got the players into it too. I handwaved a crapload of rules and just made command decisions to call advantage/disadvantage rolls. From a technical standpoint it was absolute garbage. From a roleplaying/story standpoint it was a ton of fun! So I have since then taken more of a non-technical approach, and done liberal house rules to maximize in-game time over fussing over book chapters/verses.
Back when I started gaming, there wasn't any advice for first time game masters. It was like learning to sky dive by first jumping out of a plane. The first time I tried to run Call of Cthulhu, I had misplaced the core rule book. I tried to run the scenario using the Chill system, but the players made it clear that they didn't care about the scenario, they wanted to check out Chaosium's system.
Running any system for the first time without the rulebook handy sounds very intimidating! Hopefully your players ended up enjoying the system.
I find that the mindset prep and planning how to start your first RPG session is the hardest part. The rest will start to flow and come with practice! What's the most difficult hurdle for you as a new GM?
Anti consumerism? Oh dear god...
But great videos, keep them coming.
Learn the rules as best you can and don’t sweat it. If there’s a question, rule in favor of the players, and look it up later. If you’re playing CoC, they’ll be dead or insane soon enough
Great advice!
Where do you get the artwork.
No more Lovecraft story reviews?
Great question. I've decided to shift my content to focus on roleplaying games. Although I still have an interest in Lovecraft stories, any content surrounding them will be in the context of the Call of Cthulhu RPG.