Rewarding DMs

[ElCadaver]

[Split from Policing thread]

I like to play, DM and Build.. and get little time to do any. How about rewarding DM's with XP for their PC? (X hour session = X amount of XP). It's just an idea. How about XP for Areas built.

Or Loot for their PC's?

Nothing like appealing to self interest.

[Blindhamsterman]

oddly enough I actually reckon a reward system for DMs would be a good idea, it'd certainly act as an incentive to get some more folk involved in DMing, even if its nothing direct for their PCs. Not sure how easy it would be to do though...

[I-KP]

[fx:decloak; music:klingonbirdofpreytheme]
Awful idea to reward a DM's PC. Kudos and the satisfaction of a job well done - is that not reward/incentive enough? If someone needs free l00tz for their PC before they'll step up to DM/build then I'd not lose any sleep over such a person never becoming a DM/builder (with emphasis on the DM).
[fx:cloak]

[Brokenbone]

If anyone wants to start a "brainstorming" thread about rewarding contributors (whether DMs, builders, otherwise), doing so outside this thread would make sense. Whoever does can take note that the idea was somewhat supported by past Admin but kind of died on the vine for reasons unknown. http://www.alandfaraway.org/forums/view ... 67&t=39889

Again, idea has nothing to do with ARs, investigation powers, sharing "monitoring" burdens with DMs, etc., so it doesn't belong here.

[mr duncan]

[fx:decloak; music:klingonbirdofpreytheme]
Awful idea to reward a DM's PC. Kudos and the satisfaction of a job well done - is that not reward/incentive enough? If someone needs free l00tz for their PC before they'll step up to DM/build then I'd not lose any sleep over such a person never becoming a DM/builder (with emphasis on the DM).
[fx:cloak]

Agreed. I am not a DM but I am a builder, I do not like this idea at all

[Blindhamsterman]

rewards don't have to be given to the DMs PC, other ways to reward a DM could be done instead.

Regardless, if we want to continue discussing it, we should as Brokenbone says, create a new thread.

[Rotku]

Split from policing thread.

[CloudDancing]

*I like it VERY much when players write stories about my DM times with them. That is my idea of a reward, knowing I made a fun meaningful story experience for them.

*I also like our props thread, good times there.

*My other FAVORITE reward is getting to see my content and content I helped others develop go live on the server, from a set of custom armor to a server wide expansion of new content.

*Jokes and humor also make my day. Maybe not ingame but after..

*And of course I would not refuse an Ipad Touch with Wireless Capabilities. Or a server box. Or internet to support a server. Ooo.

[Regas]

How bout this as an idea...rather then tweak dm and builder characters, which might get a bit unwieldy/ unseemly, we instead hold special events on the server for them from time to time. For instance, close a server down and run an invitation only event or a series of events where the rewarded can roll up temp pcs with 10k xp each and 10k worth of gold and have the event run by several volunteers. Alfa has had these sorts of events in the past, I remember one using the OAS with an under dark/ drow theme, ala capture the flag, two teams of alfans battling against one another. I'd be happy to dm for this sort of thing if we got it off the ground... Oh and while we're at it, lets open the event up to the Admin too

[Blindhamsterman]

kinda interesting concept, Id probably be willing to give DMing such a thing a shot also, perhaps running the equivelant of a pnp adventure, allow the (normal) DMs to choose a prefered level before each event, then some of the players that usually get DMd could run them through it.

Hell, wouldnt even have to use an ALFA server theoretically!

[Rotku]

*I like it VERY much when players write stories about my DM times with them. That is my idea of a reward, knowing I made a fun meaningful story experience for them.

*I also like our props thread, good times there.

This is true. Couldn't have said it better. That's the best sort of reward one can get. Even just a "Thank you" goes a long way - you'd be amazed how many people don't say it.

[NickD]

Rewarding DMs and builders for their work with PC XP has been floated before. I opposed it when the rewards floated would reward some builders with enough XP to start with a 5th level character...

However, I would not be opposed to an equavalent amount of XP that would otherwise be generated by the RPXP script for a DM's PC. It's not a significant amount of XP, but it does give a token reward for their roleplay and contributing to the enjoyment of others.

Dunno about builders though... Also, not opposed to a token reward, but how would you measure it? And there would be quality vs quantity issues as well...

That would, unfortunately also lead down a slippery slope. Do we reward ARs for their work? Do we reward Zic for his infrastructure work? Should we add rewards for library entries?

[oldgrayrogue]

I think Regas has the right idea here.

[Regas]

Just so I'm clear on this Nick, what I'm suggesting are one off events and temporary pcs, so starting at 5th level (or 11th for that matter) would not mean getting to play 5th level pcs in alfa live.

[Veilan]

I try to reward DMs with my respect and gratitude.

If you consider Herzberg, motivating with rewards doesn't work. It's just a hygiene factor, not a motivator - you need to make DMs feel appreciated, which is a quality each and everyone of us best resolves to breathe into our interactions with them.

Cheers,