DM or GM? [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

DM or GM? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
clashman320
10-21-05, 05:41 AM Hey, I'm a little new at this, I've been playing for about 5-6 months now and we currently have 1 DM and 5 PC's. Our DM has been formulating campaignes in his own world but now we have all decided that Eberron is going to be our long term campaign setting. Our DM has mentioned something about a Gamemaster, he asked me if I would like to be the GM for Eberron. It would work out nice because then we would have 4 PC's and two people uinning the game so we could share the load of work and create more in-depth campaigns. Two heads are better than one. I wanted to ask anyone here if they know and can tell me the difference between the DM and the GM and tell me some of the GM's duties. Any help or input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Sylvaroth
10-21-05, 05:59 AM The DM or Dungeon Master is the organizer/referee of a Dungeons & Dragons RPG.
The more generic term GM or Game Master is used in the same sense and in role-playing genres other than sword 'n' sorcery or those of other gaming companies.

Hope that helps.

Sylvaroth
Joe Khol
10-21-05, 07:20 AM The key different is that 'Dungeon Master' is a registered trademark of (now) WoTC while 'Games Master' can be sued by anyone.
Lorianne
10-21-05, 08:14 AM Mmm... on a sidenote; I've never once heard a female DM refer to herself as Dungeon Mistress... Although this is the correct term... :rolleyes:
OctoberRaven
10-21-05, 08:21 AM DM and GM, are, for all intents and purposes in D&D, one and the same.

However, Dungeon Master sounds kinky.
KJW
10-21-05, 08:32 AM Well, maybe you should ask for an alternate title, I mean DM is a truly awesome title. I call my wife my Assistant DM with my online campaign (I type way too slow and she is better with written dialogue), but, the more I think about it, the title should be more, well, exciting. Maybe, Senior Deputy DM, DM Councilor, Game Coordinator, Exalted Minion, High Lord of Roleplaying, Keeper of Encounters, Custodian of NPCs, First Among Unequals, Dungeon Seneschal, Slayer of PCs, and so forth. Something to think about. :)
CzarGarrett
10-21-05, 09:09 AM I prefer to be refered to as 'God' when I DM.
Lorianne
10-21-05, 09:13 AM I prefer to be called by my real name when players address me as a DM, and with characters names for all ingame purposes. I do the same with other DMs and players.
KJW
10-21-05, 09:18 AM I think that if how most people interact in games, I have only been called Dungeon Master when a player is mocking me, or being silly.
Zherog
10-21-05, 09:54 AM Well, maybe you should ask for an alternate title, I mean DM is a truly awesome title. I call my wife my Assistant DM with my online campaign (I type way too slow and she is better with written dialogue), but, the more I think about it, the title should be more, well, exciting. Maybe, Senior Deputy DM, DM Councilor, Game Coordinator, Exalted Minion, High Lord of Roleplaying, Keeper of Encounters, Custodian of NPCs, First Among Unequals, Dungeon Seneschal, Slayer of PCs, and so forth. Something to think about. :)

How about that hot chick I sleep with? Just a thought that may work in your case, anyway... ;)
KJW
10-21-05, 11:31 AM How about that hot chick I sleep with? Just a thought that may work in your case, anyway... ;)

I like it! Much better than Assistant DM and more to the point. :D
tennesseefats
10-21-05, 11:43 AM The key different is that 'Dungeon Master' is a registered trademark of (now) WoTC while 'Games Master' can be sued by anyone.

Ah, jokes that aren't supposed to be jokes, but funny anyway...
Joni-san
10-21-05, 12:11 PM Mmm... on a sidenote; I've never once heard a female DM refer to herself as Dungeon Mistress... Although this is the correct term... :rolleyes:

Maybe if she wore leather and used a whip :P

Just as others have said, DM is D&D specific while GM is generic. Other RPGS may have their unique titles however (I.E. Storyteller for Word of Darkness games)
Darrett
10-21-05, 12:30 PM Mmm... on a sidenote; I've never once heard a female DM refer to herself as Dungeon Mistress... Although this is the correct term... :rolleyes:

It sounds slightly too kinky, yes...

But given proper costume, they'd have great player attendance and retention. :rolleyes:
kaeso
10-22-05, 09:59 AM I prefer to be refered to as 'God' when I DM.

In my campaign, I prefer to be refered to as 'He who is greater than the gods,' since I determine what they do.
rbrt_Spade
10-22-05, 12:43 PM your dm might got that from the rpga. they call dms "gms" because they run other d20 things besides dnd.
General_Ridley
10-22-05, 05:02 PM In my campaign, I prefer to be refered to as 'He who is greater than the gods,' since I determine what they do.

Supreme Deity?
WizO_Cat
10-22-05, 07:21 PM Usually I stick with the use of "Dungeon Master", but it is more to do with the fact that this is what we used as the term back in the early 1980's in my groups.
Edymnion
10-23-05, 03:35 PM Okay, I think he knows the meaning of the phrases now :P
What he's looking for is more along the lines of Assistant DM/GM, or Co-DM/GM.

Thing is, clash, assistant DMs aren't the norm, and there is no set job for them.

The DM normally is in charge of essentially EVERYTHING in the game that is not being controlled by the players. They run all the NPCs, they map the dungeons, they do the rolls for the monsters, they do everything that makes the game run.

What you will be doing is going to be up to the main DM.
Usually, when we use an assistant DM (I say we as in my group, not we as gamers in general), we broke it apart into "Story DM" and "Combat DM". One was good with the fluff, but poor with rules. The other was good with rules, but uncreative. Together, they made a single kick-ass DM. The Story DM would come up with the ideas, do the talking and the descriptions, and any time rolls came into the mix (combat, specific spell effects, etc), it got handed over to the Combat DM.
dan1234
10-23-05, 11:49 PM Well if you’re helping him with the game, maybe you can talk some sense into him and not have the game take place in Eberron.

But to the topic, DM and GM is the same thing. So you would be like DMjr or something.
rkr1970
10-24-05, 02:40 AM Ever since the days when TSR started coming out with a new RPG for every time period of any note, I've used GM & DM interchangeably, with very few exceptions. The two games I can think of that I use different parlance in are Tales from the Floating Vagabond (a spoof RPG that travels the length & breadth of space/time but has every adventure start & end in a bar), where the GM is called "the bartender", and Toon, the cartoon RPG, where the GM is referred to as "the animator". Every other game, even V:tM, I've just used DM/GM. Maybe it's because so few games are made all the more fun and silly by calling the GM by a certain title.
Sylvaroth
10-24-05, 04:56 AM Another well known concept is the the use of two DMs on a rotating basis. This way both can be player or DM respectively, which oftentimes can be quite refreshing.

To periodically experience the conditions of each of the two sides of the same coin, one does not run the risk to lose touch with any of the two perspectives.

Of course those two DMs do not have to be equal taking into consideration the main story resp. its course.

As for the story of the campaign. the Chief-DM should give some clear guidelines and restrictions to the Co-DM to ensure maximum flexybility as well as consistency.

As two heads are better than one this should lead to an experience characterized by diversity and amusement.
diaglo
10-25-05, 09:55 AM we were referees originally.
anarco_rata
10-25-05, 10:22 AM Well if you’re helping him with the game, maybe you can talk some sense into him and not have the game take place in Eberron.

I think you misspelled. That doesn't make sense at all.

The way my players call me varies from campaign to campaign...most of the time they call me by my name because we are long time friends and its silly to call me by a title...when they're about to die i am "the mercifull god of forgiveness" or "the best DM ever wich is going to save me"...when a TPK ocurs, i am a "son of ( :P censored)"

By the way, what do you guys think about an assitant DM? I don't like the idea, specially because it's kinda of a boring job...

oh, i would surelly play with a dungeon mistress.
diaglo
10-25-05, 10:54 AM Okay, I think he knows the meaning of the phrases now :P
What he's looking for is more along the lines of Assistant DM/GM, or Co-DM/GM.

Thing is, clash, assistant DMs aren't the norm, and there is no set job for them.

The DM normally is in charge of essentially EVERYTHING in the game that is not being controlled by the players. They run all the NPCs, they map the dungeons, they do the rolls for the monsters, they do everything that makes the game run.

What you will be doing is going to be up to the main DM.
Usually, when we use an assistant DM (I say we as in my group, not we as gamers in general), we broke it apart into "Story DM" and "Combat DM". One was good with the fluff, but poor with rules. The other was good with rules, but uncreative. Together, they made a single kick-ass DM. The Story DM would come up with the ideas, do the talking and the descriptions, and any time rolls came into the mix (combat, specific spell effects, etc), it got handed over to the Combat DM.

the other term not used much nowadays is "Caller". the Caller's job was to help the referee by being the spokesman for the party. of course, groups were larger. 20 was optimal for OD&D.
Edymnion
10-25-05, 09:46 PM Well if you’re helping him with the game, maybe you can talk some sense into him and not have the game take place in Eberron.Could be worse, the DM could be wanting to play in Faerun :P
dan1234
10-25-05, 11:14 PM Could be worse, the DM could be wanting to play in Faerun :P

lol, I guess I should shut up with thing like that. It's just I have played in Eberron before, and I don't see why so many people like it. I don't know. . . But good call, I do like FR:P
NoSoupFoYou
10-26-05, 12:04 AM The key different is that 'Dungeon Master' is a registered trademark of (now) WoTC while 'Games Master' can be sued by anyone.

Does anyone else find this funny? :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
clashman320 10-21-05, 05:41 AM	Hey, I'm a little new at this, I've been playing for about 5-6 months now and we currently have 1 DM and 5 PC's. Our DM has been formulating campaignes in his own world but now we have all decided that Eberron is going to be our long term campaign setting. Our DM has mentioned something about a Gamemaster, he asked me if I would like to be the GM for Eberron. It would work out nice because then we would have 4 PC's and two people uinning the game so we could share the load of work and create more in-depth campaigns. Two heads are better than one. I wanted to ask anyone here if they know and can tell me the difference between the DM and the GM and tell me some of the GM's duties. Any help or input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Sylvaroth 10-21-05, 05:59 AM	The DM or Dungeon Master is the organizer/referee of a Dungeons & Dragons RPG. The more generic term GM or Game Master is used in the same sense and in role-playing genres other than sword 'n' sorcery or those of other gaming companies. Hope that helps. Sylvaroth
Joe Khol 10-21-05, 07:20 AM	The key different is that 'Dungeon Master' is a registered trademark of (now) WoTC while 'Games Master' can be sued by anyone.
Lorianne 10-21-05, 08:14 AM	Mmm... on a sidenote; I've never once heard a female DM refer to herself as Dungeon Mistress... Although this is the correct term... :rolleyes:
OctoberRaven 10-21-05, 08:21 AM	DM and GM, are, for all intents and purposes in D&D, one and the same. However, Dungeon Master sounds kinky.
KJW 10-21-05, 08:32 AM	Well, maybe you should ask for an alternate title, I mean DM is a truly awesome title. I call my wife my Assistant DM with my online campaign (I type way too slow and she is better with written dialogue), but, the more I think about it, the title should be more, well, exciting. Maybe, Senior Deputy DM, DM Councilor, Game Coordinator, Exalted Minion, High Lord of Roleplaying, Keeper of Encounters, Custodian of NPCs, First Among Unequals, Dungeon Seneschal, Slayer of PCs, and so forth. Something to think about. :)
CzarGarrett 10-21-05, 09:09 AM	I prefer to be refered to as 'God' when I DM.
Lorianne 10-21-05, 09:13 AM	I prefer to be called by my real name when players address me as a DM, and with characters names for all ingame purposes. I do the same with other DMs and players.
KJW 10-21-05, 09:18 AM	I think that if how most people interact in games, I have only been called Dungeon Master when a player is mocking me, or being silly.
Zherog 10-21-05, 09:54 AM	Well, maybe you should ask for an alternate title, I mean DM is a truly awesome title. I call my wife my Assistant DM with my online campaign (I type way too slow and she is better with written dialogue), but, the more I think about it, the title should be more, well, exciting. Maybe, Senior Deputy DM, DM Councilor, Game Coordinator, Exalted Minion, High Lord of Roleplaying, Keeper of Encounters, Custodian of NPCs, First Among Unequals, Dungeon Seneschal, Slayer of PCs, and so forth. Something to think about. :) How about that hot chick I sleep with? Just a thought that may work in your case, anyway... ;)
KJW 10-21-05, 11:31 AM	How about that hot chick I sleep with? Just a thought that may work in your case, anyway... ;) I like it! Much better than Assistant DM and more to the point. :D
tennesseefats 10-21-05, 11:43 AM	The key different is that 'Dungeon Master' is a registered trademark of (now) WoTC while 'Games Master' can be sued by anyone. Ah, jokes that aren't supposed to be jokes, but funny anyway...
Joni-san 10-21-05, 12:11 PM	Mmm... on a sidenote; I've never once heard a female DM refer to herself as Dungeon Mistress... Although this is the correct term... :rolleyes: Maybe if she wore leather and used a whip :P Just as others have said, DM is D&D specific while GM is generic. Other RPGS may have their unique titles however (I.E. Storyteller for Word of Darkness games)
Darrett 10-21-05, 12:30 PM	Mmm... on a sidenote; I've never once heard a female DM refer to herself as Dungeon Mistress... Although this is the correct term... :rolleyes: It sounds slightly too kinky, yes... But given proper costume, they'd have great player attendance and retention. :rolleyes:
kaeso 10-22-05, 09:59 AM	I prefer to be refered to as 'God' when I DM. In my campaign, I prefer to be refered to as 'He who is greater than the gods,' since I determine what they do.
rbrt_Spade 10-22-05, 12:43 PM	your dm might got that from the rpga. they call dms "gms" because they run other d20 things besides dnd.
General_Ridley 10-22-05, 05:02 PM	In my campaign, I prefer to be refered to as 'He who is greater than the gods,' since I determine what they do. Supreme Deity?
WizO_Cat 10-22-05, 07:21 PM	Usually I stick with the use of "Dungeon Master", but it is more to do with the fact that this is what we used as the term back in the early 1980's in my groups.
Edymnion 10-23-05, 03:35 PM	Okay, I think he knows the meaning of the phrases now :P What he's looking for is more along the lines of Assistant DM/GM, or Co-DM/GM. Thing is, clash, assistant DMs aren't the norm, and there is no set job for them. The DM normally is in charge of essentially EVERYTHING in the game that is not being controlled by the players. They run all the NPCs, they map the dungeons, they do the rolls for the monsters, they do everything that makes the game run. What you will be doing is going to be up to the main DM. Usually, when we use an assistant DM (I say we as in my group, not we as gamers in general), we broke it apart into "Story DM" and "Combat DM". One was good with the fluff, but poor with rules. The other was good with rules, but uncreative. Together, they made a single kick-ass DM. The Story DM would come up with the ideas, do the talking and the descriptions, and any time rolls came into the mix (combat, specific spell effects, etc), it got handed over to the Combat DM.
dan1234 10-23-05, 11:49 PM	Well if you’re helping him with the game, maybe you can talk some sense into him and not have the game take place in Eberron. But to the topic, DM and GM is the same thing. So you would be like DMjr or something.
rkr1970 10-24-05, 02:40 AM	Ever since the days when TSR started coming out with a new RPG for every time period of any note, I've used GM & DM interchangeably, with very few exceptions. The two games I can think of that I use different parlance in are Tales from the Floating Vagabond (a spoof RPG that travels the length & breadth of space/time but has every adventure start & end in a bar), where the GM is called "the bartender", and Toon, the cartoon RPG, where the GM is referred to as "the animator". Every other game, even V:tM, I've just used DM/GM. Maybe it's because so few games are made all the more fun and silly by calling the GM by a certain title.
Sylvaroth 10-24-05, 04:56 AM	Another well known concept is the the use of two DMs on a rotating basis. This way both can be player or DM respectively, which oftentimes can be quite refreshing. To periodically experience the conditions of each of the two sides of the same coin, one does not run the risk to lose touch with any of the two perspectives. Of course those two DMs do not have to be equal taking into consideration the main story resp. its course. As for the story of the campaign. the Chief-DM should give some clear guidelines and restrictions to the Co-DM to ensure maximum flexybility as well as consistency. As two heads are better than one this should lead to an experience characterized by diversity and amusement.
diaglo 10-25-05, 09:55 AM	we were referees originally.
anarco_rata 10-25-05, 10:22 AM	Well if you’re helping him with the game, maybe you can talk some sense into him and not have the game take place in Eberron. I think you misspelled. That doesn't make sense at all. The way my players call me varies from campaign to campaign...most of the time they call me by my name because we are long time friends and its silly to call me by a title...when they're about to die i am "the mercifull god of forgiveness" or "the best DM ever wich is going to save me"...when a TPK ocurs, i am a "son of ( :P censored)" By the way, what do you guys think about an assitant DM? I don't like the idea, specially because it's kinda of a boring job... oh, i would surelly play with a dungeon mistress.
diaglo 10-25-05, 10:54 AM	Okay, I think he knows the meaning of the phrases now :P What he's looking for is more along the lines of Assistant DM/GM, or Co-DM/GM. Thing is, clash, assistant DMs aren't the norm, and there is no set job for them. The DM normally is in charge of essentially EVERYTHING in the game that is not being controlled by the players. They run all the NPCs, they map the dungeons, they do the rolls for the monsters, they do everything that makes the game run. What you will be doing is going to be up to the main DM. Usually, when we use an assistant DM (I say we as in my group, not we as gamers in general), we broke it apart into "Story DM" and "Combat DM". One was good with the fluff, but poor with rules. The other was good with rules, but uncreative. Together, they made a single kick-ass DM. The Story DM would come up with the ideas, do the talking and the descriptions, and any time rolls came into the mix (combat, specific spell effects, etc), it got handed over to the Combat DM. the other term not used much nowadays is "Caller". the Caller's job was to help the referee by being the spokesman for the party. of course, groups were larger. 20 was optimal for OD&D.
Edymnion 10-25-05, 09:46 PM	Well if you’re helping him with the game, maybe you can talk some sense into him and not have the game take place in Eberron.Could be worse, the DM could be wanting to play in Faerun :P
dan1234 10-25-05, 11:14 PM	Could be worse, the DM could be wanting to play in Faerun :P lol, I guess I should shut up with thing like that. It's just I have played in Eberron before, and I don't see why so many people like it. I don't know. . . But good call, I do like FR:P
NoSoupFoYou 10-26-05, 12:04 AM	The key different is that 'Dungeon Master' is a registered trademark of (now) WoTC while 'Games Master' can be sued by anyone. Does anyone else find this funny? :D