If you don’t actually want to be a GM adjust these steps instead the following way :
2 - write a fun premise for a short 1-4 session adventure. Or maybe just find a prewritten, equally short, adventure.
4 - explain that you are not interested in running a full fledged campaign, but a series of short adventures. Add that you are more than happy to let others step-up and give a shot at GM-ing at some point. Do say it that you want all of this to remain fun and light-hearted ; set expectations accordingly to what you feel able to offer. Obviously, point out that you are a complete beginner at ttrpgs if that is the case.
5 - Give it your best shot but if GM-ing turns out really unbearable before you reach step 6, just say it. “Thanks guys for putting up with me and giving me a chance at GM-ing. I’ve come to realize that I’m just not cut out for this and I’d really appreciate if someone gives it a go for the next adventure. If not, I’m open to other games and activities, or just continue hanging out with you guys because your company has been a lot of fun so far. Unfortunately, I just don’t enjoy being a GM and this has been too painful for me”
You don’t have to be any good at GM-ing if your end goal is just to make friends. And GM-ing a decent enough game doesn’t have to be all that hard or require all that prep.
Of course, this will all require a certain amount of effort, likely more than just joining a game as a player. First try might not to be the right one too. You might not match with all, or any, of the players. But you don’t actually have to, starting a ttrpg with a group of strangers comes with the implication that this might not all work out.
I have experience GMing. It’s not particularly difficult but I found it was exhausting, it was almost impossible to get my group to do ANYTHING. Granted they did thoroughly investigate some random coins they found, which I invented a backstory for between sessions. But they immediately forgot about that when it was a new session.
I don’t know if I have the patience to go through that again.
But what if you don’t want to GM?
I keep checking meetup for open games but they’re always full. And I live in a decent sized city.
If you don’t actually want to be a GM adjust these steps instead the following way :
2 - write a fun premise for a short 1-4 session adventure. Or maybe just find a prewritten, equally short, adventure.
4 - explain that you are not interested in running a full fledged campaign, but a series of short adventures. Add that you are more than happy to let others step-up and give a shot at GM-ing at some point. Do say it that you want all of this to remain fun and light-hearted ; set expectations accordingly to what you feel able to offer. Obviously, point out that you are a complete beginner at ttrpgs if that is the case.
5 - Give it your best shot but if GM-ing turns out really unbearable before you reach step 6, just say it. “Thanks guys for putting up with me and giving me a chance at GM-ing. I’ve come to realize that I’m just not cut out for this and I’d really appreciate if someone gives it a go for the next adventure. If not, I’m open to other games and activities, or just continue hanging out with you guys because your company has been a lot of fun so far. Unfortunately, I just don’t enjoy being a GM and this has been too painful for me”
You don’t have to be any good at GM-ing if your end goal is just to make friends. And GM-ing a decent enough game doesn’t have to be all that hard or require all that prep.
Of course, this will all require a certain amount of effort, likely more than just joining a game as a player. First try might not to be the right one too. You might not match with all, or any, of the players. But you don’t actually have to, starting a ttrpg with a group of strangers comes with the implication that this might not all work out.
deleted by creator
I have experience GMing. It’s not particularly difficult but I found it was exhausting, it was almost impossible to get my group to do ANYTHING. Granted they did thoroughly investigate some random coins they found, which I invented a backstory for between sessions. But they immediately forgot about that when it was a new session.
I don’t know if I have the patience to go through that again.
deleted by creator