DM'ing in NWN2

Rick7475 · Post by **Rick7475** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:25 am

OK, well, we are having difficulty attracting DM's for NWN2.

I am hoping to find out why so that perhaps we can work on getting people interested.

Other than the fact you don't have NWN2 or the h/w, please let me know what the main reason is. If you were considering DM'ing in NWN2, but then changed your mind, please post here why you decided against DM'ing.

This would be helpful for us, thank you.

JaydeMoon · Post by **JaydeMoon** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:36 am

2 big reasons:

Desire to play

With only one server on-line, it is a foregone conclusion that the DMs won't be able to play. A lot of people want to play, they've been waiting for a while.

Lack of Platform

Some folks simply aren't NWN2 capable.

Grand Fromage · Post by **Grand Fromage** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 2:49 am

I'm tired of having to cooperate with others. It's entirely selfish--if I'm going to DM I want full control over everything. Some day I might come back to it here but for the moment, I'm not interested.

Avaz · Post by **Avaz** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:53 am

Grand Fromage wrote:I'm tired of having to cooperate with others. It's entirely selfish--if I'm going to DM I want full control over everything. Some day I might come back to it here but for the moment, I'm not interested.

That's why you're DMing Fallout.

Munmun · Post by **Munmun** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:54 am

DMing can cause burnout in a person. If you aren't careful it stops being fun and becomes a job. People who have been through this are very unlikely to take up DMing again.

Enauch · Post by **Enauch** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:20 am

Well I DMed alot in NWN 1 and was only a player for a short time. Although I enjoyed being a DM I would just like to be player for now. Not to say that I wont become a DM again if a server would have me at some point.

Rotku · Post by **Rotku** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:23 am

JaydeMoon wrote:Lack of Platform

Some folks simply aren't NWN2 capable.

That's me. Someone send me a computer and I'll DM for ya

Well, Someone send me a computer, fill out the application form AND go through the Standards training, THEN I will DM for you.

So that's three reasons for me.

Arkan Bladesinger · Post by **Arkan Bladesinger** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:54 pm

Well, several reasons...

1) NWN1 Sembia is still faring well and as long as the server exists and there´s players in my plots, I aim not to let them down.

2) Desire to play as well. Currently playing on another NWN1 server, Moonshaes, and enjoying it much. I do wish to at least start as "only" player in NWN2 as well.

3) Week has only so many days and there´s gotta be time for rl as well. For that reason I haven´t been able to f.e. familiarize myself with NWN2 toolset (nor DM client) at all so far and I consider being able to build something yourself as, if not crucial, at least highly useful in being a DM and would like to learn the basics at least before considering it.

So, as a summary might very well apply to DM in NWN2 eventually, but not at this point as I simply don´t have time enough to commit to it.

Vendrin · Post by **Vendrin** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:43 am

1. Never worked with the current DM teams before, so would prefer to get to know them through playing as well as the server before I offer.

2. Doubt I'll ever DM with Rusty as DMA.

Rotku · Post by **Rotku** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:05 am

Vendrin wrote:2. Doubt I'll ever DM with Rusty as DMA.

Doubt you'll ever WANT to DM with Rusty as DMA, or ALLOWED to DM? If it's the latter he even let me DM Neverwinter Nights 1 - but of course, you'll have to start as a PADM, despite years of experience DMing in ALFA. If it's you'll never want to, well, I won't comment either way.

ThinkTank · Post by **ThinkTank** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:44 pm

So in summary, reasons for not wanting to DM include:

1. Being a frustrated control freak

2. Having a terrible stoneage computer

3. Being lazy

4. Hating the current [someguy] for [somereason]

5. Having DMed before

Mulu · Post by **Mulu** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:03 am

And this suprises you?

I would say you could at least kill the "I want to play too" issue by allowing DM's to play on the same server until another server goes live. The problem we really have right now is our numbers are equivalent to a single server project, but we still run it like a huge multi-server project. This seems like an easy rule to bend for awhile, especially since without DM's ALFA NWN2 will be stillborn.

Veilan · Post by **Veilan** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:11 am

While it's an interesting idea, having the same set of people play and DM each other in turns right at the starting point where we'll have to deal with a load of bugs, tweaks and other issues still, does not strike me as really wise.

Insert rant at how mistrusting and paranoid I am I guess, but it's sure to get awkward and confusing even with the best intentions of all people involved.

psycho_leo · Post by **psycho_leo** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:14 am

Mistrusting and paranoid applies to a great number of people here. DMs playing in the one server we'll have for a while sounds like fuel for drama.

AcadiusLost · Post by **AcadiusLost** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:27 am

Exodus has managed player/DMs on a single server environment to some extent by running with the following guideline:

"Player/DMs should generally only play if there is another DM on as a DM"

Exceptions valid, but idea being if you're playing when the server could use a DM, you're better off DMing. The sky has not fallen, and they've not devoured themselves amidst a flurry of self-twinking. Most of the more regular DMs do not actually play PCs, though.

So... it can be done. That said, I don't think it's a direction ALFA should go. We could relax the 30-day rule for playing on a server you used to DM for, but I think it's important we maintain a distinction between players and DMs while we have only a single server.

Also, most ALFA DMs should have no problem getting accepted in parallel worlds such as Exodus, if they need an occational playing outlet- it's ideal to use this way (and vice versa), since there are no ingame crossovers between the two PWs, but the mechanics and game balance (and standard of RP) are interchangeable.