Being a paid DM is weird.

[SangoProduction]

I run games on occasion, but since the pandemic was impacting our income, I decided that it couldn't hurt to advertise my new campaign as pay to play. Got a good set of players, who still haven't missed a single session (strange how being monetarily invested in to a game makes you less likely to miss it). And things are going rather smoothly.

But I feel...guilty when they sit around roleplaying with each other. It's strange. That's precisely what I normally want them to do. But it feels like I'm not providing them a full service if most of the time is spent entertaining themselves.

[Segev]

If they are having fun in the framework you provide, they are getting what they paid for. Organizing group activities is something a lot of people get a lot of money for.

[Him]

I can help. Please just send of the everything my way. Spent most of the last time 6 years on the streets and it's my birthday this week, and that's not even getting into my other reasons.

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by Segev
If they are having fun in the framework you provide, they are getting what they paid for.

Exactly this. If you've provided a story environment which lends itself to spontaneous roleplaying, then it sounds like you're doing a good job.

Is this face-to-face, or over Zoom, or some other format? And how did you advertise it?

[Him]

But seriously... think of the action as tithing..

[AnimeTheCat]

I run games on occasion, but since the pandemic was impacting our income, I decided that it couldn't hurt to advertise my new campaign as pay to play. Got a good set of players, who still haven't missed a single session (strange how being monetarily invested in to a game makes you less likely to miss it). And things are going rather smoothly.

But I feel...guilty when they sit around roleplaying with each other. It's strange. That's precisely what I normally want them to do. But it feels like I'm not providing them a full service if most of the time is spent entertaining themselves.

Truly, if you've put time and effort in to creating something and another party is paying you to do such a thing, it's a basic exchange. Those individuals are each paying you to provide a service, one that likely consists of story (planning), adversaries (planning), atmosphere (planning), and fun (a result of the previous three coming together, which takes skill). So, you're a skilled planner whom is receiving compensation for utilizing their abilities. Sounds like you're a travel agent, or a wedding coordinator, or a PR specialist. Bottom line, time is money, and you're spending your time to create something for other people.

[Psyren]

#humblebrag? :smalltongue:

As Segev said, as long as they're having fun (and since they're paying, you're likely to find out in short order if they're not) then you're doing your job.

[redking]

But it feels like I'm not providing them a full service if most of the time is spent entertaining themselves.

You are providing a service. They are all paying, which means that every single one of them has skin in the game. That means the likelihood of disruptive players is decreased.

I've had to quit certain hobbies because of the opportunity costs. At some point, unless you can monetize the hobby, its just not worth doing.

[Xervous]

I can easily draw parallels to other fields where you’re the expert on hand to ensure critical components function. Sometimes it just works / it’s compiling / the shipments all come in on time and you don’t need to rush order a service and source new tickets, material or thingamajiggers. You paint the scene for the players but if they want to linger on one illustration and debate interpretations that’s no fault of your own.

[RNightstalker]

I run games on occasion, but since the pandemic was impacting our income, I decided that it couldn't hurt to advertise my new campaign as pay to play. Got a good set of players, who still haven't missed a single session (strange how being monetarily invested in to a game makes you less likely to miss it). And things are going rather smoothly.

But I feel...guilty when they sit around roleplaying with each other. It's strange. That's precisely what I normally want them to do. But it feels like I'm not providing them a full service if most of the time is spent entertaining themselves.

Uncommon or Rare? Yes. Weird? Eh, maybe now. I've actually seen craigslist ads for DM's before, so I can imagine this trend continuing or even growing.

[Kyberwulf]

I have a couple questions.

How do you think being payed has impacted you as a Dm?

How are you planning on things in the future? By this I mean, if players start feeling they aren't getting their monies worth how do you plan on dealing with that?

When it's free to play, people don't seem to bothered when their characters don't get what they want. I can imagine that if they are paying, it will be multiplied if they feel their characters should be the center of the show.

[JNAProductions]

Uncommon or Rare? Yes. Weird? Eh, maybe now. I've actually seen craigslist ads for DM's before, so I can imagine this trend continuing or even growing.

I've tried Craigslist for D&D. The guy wanted $100 flat, plus $20 per player. That feels pretty damn outrageous, especially as he didn't even plan to provide a playing space.

[Kurald Galain]

I've tried Craigslist for D&D. The guy wanted $100 flat, plus $20 per player. That feels pretty damn outrageous, especially as he didn't even plan to provide a playing space.
If you can market it as a corporate teambuilding exercise, you can ask much more for it.

[SangoProduction]

I have a couple questions.

How do you think being payed has impacted you as a Dm?

How are you planning on things in the future? By this I mean, if players start feeling they aren't getting their monies worth how do you plan on dealing with that?

When it's free to play, people don't seem to bothered when their characters don't get what they want. I can imagine that if they are paying, it will be multiplied if they feel their characters should be the center of the show.

It certainly made me feel a lot more committed to the campaign, and I have not been having players just leave the game, so that's a pretty good impact in my books. Of course the sample size of a mere 4 players is hardly one for making sweeping statements.

I have no idea. I tend to play that by ear. I would probably drop the price. Or ask how I could make it feel more worth their while.

I've not had anyone having problems with that so far. Could be just the players I happened to get. One player's been taking their incredibly poor luck with attack rolls in stride.

[RNightstalker]

I've tried Craigslist for D&D. The guy wanted $100 flat, plus $20 per player. That feels pretty damn outrageous, especially as he didn't even plan to provide a playing space.

Maybe he'll come to you! lol was the price per session, month, campaign?


If you can market it as a corporate teambuilding exercise, you can ask much more for it.

Now you're giving me ideas!:cool:

[JNAProductions]

Per session.

[Vander Nars]

I run games on occasion, but since the pandemic was impacting our income, I decided that it couldn't hurt to advertise my new campaign as pay to play. Got a good set of players, who still haven't missed a single session (strange how being monetarily invested in to a game makes you less likely to miss it). And things are going rather smoothly.

But I feel...guilty when they sit around roleplaying with each other. It's strange. That's precisely what I normally want them to do. But it feels like I'm not providing them a full service if most of the time is spent entertaining themselves.

Cant help but feel like you got really lucky, I do believe that being pay for play weeds out some of the bad players but I think it would also raise a whole new issue with player entitlement and expectations of the dm. Lord help you if 2 paying players get into a disagreement, that could ruin the whole dynamic/mood of the group and the added issue of having paid for something that is not enjoyable anymore.

[RNightstalker]

Per session.

Seems a bit pricey unless you're marketing your services to the Hog Nasty Rich crowd...

[JNAProductions]

Seems a bit pricey unless you're marketing your services to the Hog Nasty Rich crowd...

Well, they needed the money to keep up with the books coming out! -_-

[RNightstalker]

Well, they needed the money to keep up with the books coming out! -_-

lol well said!

[el minster]

make sure that you actually work for the money and regularly ask players if they feel satisfied with the experience. keep on the straight path and don't cheat people.

[MR_Anderson]

Well this is Capitalism 101, they are paying for a service, and they are technically receiving said service.

Capitalism 102, if you can add more to what they are receiving give them more in hopes that it retains the custom even longer.

I don’t know what they are paying, but do you have margin in what they are paying you to purchase each player a custom figure of their character? Do you have the skill to sketch pictures of their characters, or a battle/event the party has had? Mail them specialty dice?

Make them feel the service is more than what they are paying for, maybe you’ll receive tips or increase pay.

In the end, if they are having a good time it is no different than a bar with a cover charge. You paid to get in, but you don’t have to drink if you are enjoying the dance floor or karaoke.

[el minster]

believing in capitalism isn't an excuse to overcharge your customers.

[MR_Anderson]

believing in capitalism isn't an excuse to overcharge your customers.

Where did you get that idea?

Define overcharge?

As a Business Owner or Service Provider, Customers are never “yours” and thinking that way leads people to think it is the Business that is overcharging when instead it is the customer that is actually overpaying. Most people don’t live or participate in markets where you can negotiate prices anymore, they shop at fixed price stores.

Capitalism is a system designed not for profit of one entity, but for allowing two parties to come to a mutually beneficial relationship to provide wants and needs to those that seek it.

If one party is taking advantage of the other it is bad for their continued relationship, and thus bad for their business.

[el minster]

Im sorry I cant answer that question according to forum rules.

[SangoProduction]

believing in capitalism ...
...mm. Know what, let's drop the conversation there. I don't think it's going to go anywhere.

[Knaight]

Seems a bit pricey unless you're marketing your services to the Hog Nasty Rich crowd...
Depends how you look at it. Assuming a 4 hour session, 2 hours prep time, 2 hours business stuff (advertising, logistics, etc.), 4 players you're running at only $10 an hour. That's not a high paying job by any stretch of the imagination, and if you're treating something as a job there are concerns of fair labor costs for you.

Of course, on the customer side it's potentially pretty ridiculous unless you've got wealthier clients. Or if you hit the corporate team building side, but it's hard to beat large corporations in terms of your clients having disgusting amounts of money.

[JNAProductions]

Depends how you look at it. Assuming a 4 hour session, 2 hours prep time, 2 hours business stuff (advertising, logistics, etc.), 4 players you're running at only $10 an hour. That's not a high paying job by any stretch of the imagination, and if you're treating something as a job there are concerns of fair labor costs for you.

Of course, on the customer side it's potentially pretty ridiculous unless you've got wealthier clients. Or if you hit the corporate team building side, but it's hard to beat large corporations in terms of your clients having disgusting amounts of money.

4+2+2=8.

For a 4 player session, the DM I was talking about would charge $180. So that's $22.50 an hour.

[SangoProduction]

That is quite expensive. I'm jealous that he was able to sell his services for so much and find buyers. Supposedly. I hope to be good enough for players to value my efforts that much.
*Looks at the past 2 decades of playing this game.* Himm. Prognosis is grim.

[Telonius]

If you can monetize it, more power to you. I can make a hamburger or a cup of coffee on my own, too; restaurants and coffee shops are still happy to take my money, and I'm happy to give it. (Well, not so much during the lockdowns, but you get the idea). If the guests aren't complaining and keep coming back, you're giving them what they want.

[MR_Anderson]

I've tried Craigslist for D&D. The guy wanted $100 flat, plus $20 per player. That feels pretty damn outrageous, especially as he didn't even plan to provide a playing space.

Maybe he'll come to you! lol was the price per session, month, campaign?

Per session.

Seems a bit pricey unless you're marketing your services to the Hog Nasty Rich crowd...

Depends how you look at it. Assuming a 4 hour session, 2 hours prep time, 2 hours business stuff (advertising, logistics, etc.), 4 players you're running at only $10 an hour. That's not a high paying job by any stretch of the imagination, and if you're treating something as a job there are concerns of fair labor costs for you.

Most people can’t live off being a DM, so this would be something in addition to other income.

Thus the DM would be sacrificing their own free time to support other people’s free time, so it comes down to what someone thinks their time is worth vs what others are willing to pay.

A group of people could also decide to go out to a bar and hangout, a movie theater and restaurant, or even a theme park/renaissance faire.

When taking into consideration that for a party of 5 it would be $40 from each person for an day/evening of fun. I feel it is priced well or even under what is fair. Considering in our group we get together about 5-6 pm and quit 12-1 am. That’s an entire work shift with commute.

As for providing a place to game, you really are moving into needing to carry insurance for a business at this point, and that would drive expenses way up. Best for a DM to go to the people hiring him/her, because they would be comfortable with the location atmosphere, especially with a new unknown individual as DM.

Quite a few people under appreciate what a good or great DM brings to a D&D game, and if you don’t have someone with these skills the enjoyment of all can really suffer.

We are lucky that our group has 2 great DM’s and 3 good DM’s so we are never without a DM.

I think it is great that the OP can profit from their skills in DM’ing. Now hopefully the players can profit in game from their character’s skills.