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Cross-posting this from Gamer Connections--
I'm a professional GM with 15+ experience behind the screen. Currently I run games locally, and work at a comic/hobby shop where I meet most of my players; however, I would like to also expand my services to cover online Roll20 games as well. I have a friendly attitude, helpful teaching technique (English teacher is my primary profession), a solid command of the table, and a working knowledge of the Pathfinder rules, and the Roll20 online system. I have experience with most other RPGs, including (but not limited to): D&D (all editions, including Next playtests), Call of Cthulhu (all editions), Fiasco, New and Old Word of Darkness, Shadowrun (most recent edition), GURPS, Numenera, Gamma World (most recent edition), Warhammer 40k: Dark Heresy (and most of the alternative supplements), Pathfinder, Burning Wheel (including but not limited to Torchbearer and Mouse Guard), Mutants and Masterminds, and Star Wars (Saga Edition and Edge of the Empire). Other, more specific games (Dresden Files, Firefly and Game of Thrones RPGs, anything with the CODEX system) I am less familiar with, but willing to learn and run. I would have no problem running any of the above for you and your group, right on Roll20.
Are you GM-less? Or looking for someone to run that SPECIFIC campaign tailored exactly to your vision as players? My fees are modest, negotiable, and the first session is always free. Want see my playstyle? Watch my video reviews and listen to one of my Call of Cthulhu games at my YouTube channel (http://m.youtube.com/user/Kexizzoc). I aim to provide a personalized online game experience that will scratch your itch. Shoot me a message if you'd like to hear more; ideally, you'll already have a group of players ready to roll with your chosen game. If not, tell me what kind of game(s) you want, and I'll see what concepts I get multiple requests on. Thanks for reading, and good gaming!
Wait wait wait...
You CHARGE to run games? While I can appreciate your familiarity with the other game systems (particularly GURPS and Pathfinder), the thought of a GM charging to run a game, especially one ran over the net, is just too much. Best of luck with that, though.
Just a heads up, bud: Nobody is charged to play on this forum.
This is all free. Yes, there are folks that run games on these boards(a multitude of folks, might I add) that are cool enough to take up the mantle. Because in truth, it's fun for them(At least, I hope. I guess if it wasn't they wouldn't be doing it). :P
I can promise you this: You won't find anyone on these boards willing to pay to play. And that's just the simple truth.
There may be another forum somewhere that might cater to that, I don't know, but it's not this one.
I've gotta say, this is a new one on me. I can honestly say, in the five years I've been on these boards, I've never seen anyone charge to run a game.
I wonder if this thread will be closed?
Wait wait wait...
You CHARGE to run games? While I can appreciate your familiarity with the other game systems (particularly GURPS and Pathfinder), the thought of a GM charging to run a game, especially one ran over the net, is just too much. Best of luck with that, though.
Seth,
Your reaction is quite understandable. Outside of major cities, professional GMing isn't really profitable, and thus is fairly unheard of. The vast majority of players are simply not going to need to utilize this service. Nonetheless, you'd be surprised how many people see this as a useful service. My customers include:
-- players new to the game, looking to learn from someone with teaching experience
-- players who find themselves in unfamiliar territory, without their local gaming group (happens a lot in NYC)
-- "Forever GMs" who want a break from running games
-- players who want an incredibly specific campaign that no one else can deliver on
Now, for an online audience, obviously asking to get paid for a session is asking a lot. In a live game, you can look at my table spread and see where your money is going-- a premium RPG experience. If I'm not giving you something you can't get elsewhere, I'm not doing my job. So how does that translate into a Roll20 game? To that, I would ask the question: how long do your online games usually last? Do the start strong and peter out after two sessions? Have you ever been GM-abandoned? The guarantee I can offer is that this cannot possibly happen in a professional game. You're not some screen-name I can blow off, you're a paying customer who is entitled to service. In my experience, good, quality, lasting online games are the exception rather than the rule. I'd like to help change that, at least for a few people.
Thanks for your feedback!
Just a heads up, bud: Nobody is charged to play on this forum.
This is all free. Yes, there are folks that run games on these boards(a multitude of folks, might I add) that are cool enough to take up the mantle. Because in truth, it's fun for them(At least, I hope. I guess if it wasn't they wouldn't be doing it). :P
I can promise you this: You won't find anyone on these boards willing to pay to play. And that's just the simple truth.
There may be another forum somewhere that might cater to that, I don't know, but it's not this one.
I've gotta say, this is a new one on me. I can honestly say, in the five years I've been on these boards, I've never seen anyone charge to run a game.
Javell,
You may be right, this particular piece of the web might be a dead end, but it's worth a try! I'd like to clarify that I'm not offering PbP services, but live online game sessions-- I'm no looking to change how this forum works in the slightest. You all have a GOOD thing going, and for 99% of the players, it works. I'm looking for the player who has been burned by the potentially-good letdown campaign, the player who wants to play with a GM who builds games around their wishes, and the player who wants to pay for that extra quality. It's not for everyone, but it might be for some!
Your reaction is quite understandable. Outside of major cities, professional GMing isn't really profitable, and thus is fairly unheard of. The vast majority of players are simply not going to need to utilize this service. Nonetheless, you'd be surprised how many people see this as a useful service. My customers include:
The bold is what I'd be interested in seeing. The number of folks willing to take that leap.
You do make a compelling argument with the "DM abandonment" issue and the length of a typical game. More often than not, the games do die. And while a lot of games due tend to die, I would still find it difficult to see folks paying to play this game. At least on these boards.
But hey, I guess you never know. I've been plenty wrong before. :)
I have met some players willing to pay for a decent GM, if I had the money I'd probably pay as well just because I can't find a good GM I like. However, can't do the online sessions thing right now, sadly.
But you also have to remember that the players are paying for it and thus they aren't going to treat the game in a off-handed manner, as something to just drop whenever. Makes for more consistant and enjoyable play. And more likely to get to play the desired unusual concepts too.
I would absolutely use this service if I was looking for an online, rather than a PbP game. A good DM is worth a few bucks from every player per session, IMHO.
Actually, I don't see this as such an abhorrent offer. Sure, paying to play is weird, especially here on Paizo. But, isn't that exactly what you do when you go to a gaming con? You at least pay to get in the doors, and I do believe there's games where you buy a slot. Not positive though.
Considering I am close to NYC, I would definitely not balk at this concept, had I the money. I mean, I get to pick the game I want, ran more or less how I desire(Within reason of course)? Hell yea I would sign up for that!.
Sadly, I'm not working right now, due to a injury I suffered at work, but if I had better income I would jump on this.
You might consider going to the Pathfinder Society Online Collective on Google+. I bet there are people there that would love to see another GM, even if its pay-to-play.
Your reaction is quite understandable. Outside of major cities, professional GMing isn't really profitable, and thus is fairly unheard of. The vast majority of players are simply not going to need to utilize this service. Nonetheless, you'd be surprised how many people see this as a useful service. My customers include:The bold is what I'd be interested in seeing. The number of folks willing to take that leap.
You do make a compelling argument with the "DM abandonment" issue and the length of a typical game. More often than not, the games do die. And while a lot of games due tend to die, I would still find it difficult to see folks paying to play this game. At least on these boards.
But hey, I guess you never know. I've been plenty wrong before. :)
I'll absolutely cede the fact that I could be asking in the wrong place. My experiences advertising on Reddit and Roll20 have proved pleasantly surprising, however, and as I type I have a Pathfinder group on the cusp on launching, with several more (fingers crossed!) forming. I definitely will stick with my local business as my primary venture, but I can't say I'm disappointed :)
I you think about it, our hobby encompasses a lot of economic diversity. Someone might scrimp and save to buy the next supplement, while someone else can throw down $300 for minis on a whim. For some people, this makes sense. I personally took up this venture when I realized (years ago, this was) that, over a twelve-month span in which I probably thought about RPGs once a day and throwing plenty of money into books and adventures, I had only actually PLAYED my favorite hobby three times. That was a hard realization, and if you're having the same one right now, maybe contacting me would make sense for you.
EDIT: somehow managed to delete this post the first time. Sorry!
You might consider going to the Pathfinder Society Online Collective on Google+. I bet there are people there that would love to see another GM, even if its pay-to-play.
Thanks so much for this. I am always looking for more places to gauge interest.
I'm getting a lot of positive feedback, thank you folks so much. For those expressing unhappiness that your finances won't allow you to join in, I will
simply mention that my first sessions are always fess, no exceptions. This is a personal, intimate, and largely subjective service, so no "caveat emptor" here.
I just want to say good for you for actually making money for doing a hobby you love and living the dream :)
I just want to say good for you for actually making money for doing a hobby you love and living the dream :)
Thank you! I'll say that I'm hardly "living the dream" just yet-- I make minimum wage at the comic/hobby shop I work at, and less than that on professional GMing. I sincerely love doing this, but charging is less of a clever scheme and more of a necessity for me. That being said, I realize I'm a lucky person and that, in the grand scheme, you only have one life. Do what you love, right? Just, you know, be able to eat as well :)
I would like to point out to the masses that a judge who volunteers at the major conventions and is compensated with badge, room, "prizes", event tickets, food (or other) vouchers, and/or whatever else is technically a professional GM.
Having the people paying me being the people in the game, though, would mean needing to be far more concerned about how they think the game should be played and about what they want out of it than what I want out of it.
I'm big about trying to get the story told. LOTS of players that I've worked with through the years only want to demonstrate their character's dominance over the world they live in. NOT the environment I would want to be contractually obligated to provide.
But those are the players who usually have the most trouble finding a free game with other people.
This has been a major point people bring up-- how do I cater to players-as-clients without compromising the game? I am extremely wary here of starting a debate over play-philosophy-- all I can say is that ALL playstyles are welcome. I can play with hardcore power gamers and hardcore roleplayers with equal ease (in separate groups, of course) and cater to what they're each looking for. It's been rather insight-granting, in fact-- asking players what they want, I almost unanimously get the answer "make it hard". Even the hardcore min/maxers want their character to be proportionately challenged. And I think by placing the focus on what story the players want to tell, rather than the one I want to tell, I deliver something fairly uncommon. Want to turn evil? Or interrupt every game with a bar fight? As long as the other players are fine with it, I have no issue. I'll start planning the evil campaign, or cooking up interesting details about your character's favorite bars. It's not my campaign, it's yours: I'm just the facilitator.
@Kexizzoc: See? I told you I've been plenty wrong before. :)
Of course, when you say "sessions" I'm guessing you mean over Skype or something equivalent. Which would limit a lot of people in an of itself due to the massive difference in time zones.
But there again, it looks as if you've found some interest anyway. I guess all it takes is a few here and a few there and you're rolling. Kudos to you, bud.
Shows what I know. :)
I can play with hardcore power gamers and hardcore roleplayers with equal ease
...can you handle a party made up only of Chaotic Neutral characters?
That's a cool idea for a job you've got there, and I hope you succeed in your career!
This is about the same reaction he got over on the Roll20.net lfg boards as well. I think the majority of people will decline having to pay per session, and even some who would rescind their interest once they would find out the cost per session.
But, if there are people willing to accept this, then I don't see why not. Although, paying a GM would be more palatable for in-person games compared to online games, even those run over Skype/VTT. But like with most things, people would rather take the free, especially since there are a lot more GMs that will do this for free than there are those that charge.
I can play with hardcore power gamers and hardcore roleplayers with equal ease...can you handle a party made up only of Chaotic Neutral characters?
That's a cool idea for a job you've got there, and I hope you succeed in your career!
Chaotic neutral is obviously a bit tricky, but far from impossible. I would need to know what exactly they wanted to get out of the campaign, and how much they were expecting regarding my ability to switch plots on a dime. I like to think that I offer above-average improvisation, but I'm only human :) try me out for a session, if it can't work, at least we know! ;)
I would kill to play a pathfinder converted Dark Sun campaign, but there's no way in hell I'd pay someone to run it. If you're willing to throw out any freebies, let me know. Otherwise, good luck with your venture, sir. Manhattan is a fun place. Go see Fuerza Bruta if you haven't. A fantastic show.
This is about the same reaction he got over on the Roll20.net lfg boards as well. I think the majority of people will decline having to pay per session, and even some who would rescind their interest once they would find out the cost per session.
But, if there are people willing to accept this, then I don't see why not. Although, paying a GM would be more palatable for in-person games compared to online games, even those run over Skype/VTT. But like with most things, people would rather take the free, especially since there are a lot more GMs that will do this for free than there are those that charge.
I definitely think that this is a harder concept to sell as an online game than as a live game; this holds true with my experience (I get many more positive responses for live games). Still, it's a surprising number of people; most are already familiar with Roll20, which essentially takes the best parts of Skype and the utility of a game table and puts it into one neat little website. Not the worst format by far, but live gaming will always be my true love.
I would kill to play a pathfinder converted Dark Sun campaign, but there's no way in hell I'd pay someone to run it. If you're willing to throw out any freebies, let me know. Otherwise, good luck with your venture, sir. Manhattan is a fun place. Go see Fuerza Bruta if you haven't. A fantastic show.
A Pathfinder converted Dark Sun game that I'm in.
Yeah, it's pretty brilliant. One of my favorite campaigns I'm in.
Kexivvoc, I like to run my games with some of the same aspects. I make a few quality homebrews that entail a pre-determined series of events that hinges on NPC actions, usually ending in something like the entire world being destroyed. Then I just whip the party into the world as a monkey wrench and see what they can do.
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It all depend on prices of course.
If its like 5$ for an evening than it doesn t cost you just the price of snaks.
That is what the store charged us for Living Greyhawk evening in The village when i used to live in NYC
Add that a few $ for snapples and candy and total game night = 10 $ per person on average (just a bit under the price of a movie ticket)
...A Pathfinder converted Dark Sun game that I'm in.
Yeah, it's pretty brilliant. One of my favorite campaigns I'm in.
Yeah, I won't lie, I've been lurking on that campaign since it's inception. It's one of the first things I read when I get to work. :)
It's always interesting when you meet one of your stalkers lurkers.
I just wish I had a better understanding of psionics. I tried glancing over a book but I felt like I was trying to skim a manual on quantum physics.
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I'd pay for a good gaming experience. I do already. Figure out what it cost to attend Gen Con per slot and then consider that you might could play on-line for much much less than that, even paying a DM a reasonable fee.
BUT, I am not sure it would work in a PBP environment. A single mod that you could run in a 5 hour session might easily last 3 months. Are you really going to charge 10 dollars per player for 3 months of work?
I'd pay for a good gaming experience. I do already. Figure out what it cost to attend Gen Con per slot and then consider that you might could play on-line for much much less than that, even paying a DM a reasonable fee.
BUT, I am not sure it would work in a PBP environment. A single mod that you could run in a 5 hour session might easily last 3 months. Are you really going to charge 10 dollars per player for 3 months of work?
Skorn, I'm sorry if my post was confusing, especially on these forums (you're not the only one to ask this) but I'm not offering PbP services, partly for the reasons you mentioned. My live sessions are live, as I would direct my online players to Roll20 for our games, since I feel that it offers the best service.
I'm not sure he can publicly. It might be a violation of the rules of the boards.
He mentioned his rates on his Roll20 thread, and also commented as to why he dislikes to do so (he got some even more negative reactions when he did so). Not sure if he would like to disclose them here, or as Monkeygod said, he may not be able to.
As Adjule mentioned, I hesitate to discuss my rates, mainly because A) I'm still learning what sort of value people place on this service, and B) despite my rates being somewhat open to negotiation on a personal basis, I am not looking to have the discussion publicly. Lots of people, after seeing my rates, attempt to explain to me why, "logically", I should be charging differently, and these people do not have to do the work I'm committing myself to (nor do they have to pay my rent). I know exactly how much I value my work, but at this particular point in my budding business, I freely admit that I see the advantages of providing discounts to players who are enthusiastic and interested but simply not able to shell out for my usual rates. Hence, I'm currently offering free first sessions, an offer I plan to phase out once I have a certain number of recordings on Youtube so that my client base can see the work I do for themselves.
But, because I hate obfuscation as much as anyone, I will say that currently I'm charging $10 per head for 2 hours of online play. Gameplay can be extended in additional 2-hour increments for a much more modest fee (the $10 has to cover initial game AND prep time). I offer deals to large groups, new groups, and groups who are asking for a simpler bared-down experience (such as something I could recycle from another group). I'm always committed to an experience that you can walk away from and say "that was worth it", but I will warn that, as in life, you WILL get what you pay for.
See I can respect that, well said Kexizzoc. You ever need a consult or a mapmaker feel free to PM me.
What is your minimum group size?
Three is the recommended minimum. I could theoretically offer one-on-one or paired services, for anyone interested. I've run solo campaigns for players in the past.