Michael
he/him
5.0
(3)
Timezone
Language
Identity
About Michael
Hi, I'm Michael, and I love to play RPGs. I've had really positive feedback from the games I've run at conventions and online, using VTT's. Players have told me the games are challenging (to the PC's), but cordial and encouraging (to the players). Although I also enjoy playing, the most memorable RPG experiences I've had have been while I was running the game. One of my goals as a GM is to ensure players are in alignment in their preference of playing styles. How much RP'ing, how much combat, how much problem solving, etc.? These are the issues I discuss with players prior to starting a session.
At a glance
2 years on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Inclusive, Teacher
Featured Prompts
My favorite system of all Time is
Call of Cthulhu. IRL we're non-classed and skill-based, and I believe having a similar game system allows players to more easily get in to character.
The three words my players would use to describe me are...
attentive, reactive, fair
How Michael runs games
I try to avoid 'beer & pretzels' games where it seems the gaming is secondary to the social interaction. I prefer more serious engagement with the game system and with the particular scenario PCs find themselves in. I'm a patient, beginner-friendly GM, but I do think it's important for players to have a basic understanding of rules and mechanics. I have done some voice acting and will sometimes use particular character voices or accents for NPC's. But my main focus in bringing NPCs to life is for them to have motivations and goals that are demonstrated by their words and their actions. I encourage my players to do the same with their characters.
Featured Prompts
I deal with rules issues by...
applying fair, consistent rulings for the remainder of a session. Prior to the next session, any rules issues will be reviewed and discussed, and the table will agree to how to proceed.
My games focus on...
the consequences of the characters' actions. For a fictional world to be believable, there must be cause and effect. The narrative results from players exercising their characters' agency.
Rules are...
usually there for a reason. But they can be adapted to make games run more smoothly and/or for players have a more enjoyable session.
Michael's ideal table
I prefer tables that strive for immersive 4D roleplay. I like to make the most of each session by remaining engaged with the game system and setting, and to do so by avoiding anachronistic humor and pop culture references. This is admittedly a more serious and self-important approach than many other groups. It's important to me that all players enjoy themselves, but I truly believe their enjoyment can result from an in-depth roleplaying experience.
Featured Prompts
I think metagaming...
is somewhat inevitable. But players should nevertheless strive to have their PCs say and do what seems reasonable, taking into account the PC's history and the current situation. Any PC action may be (dis)advantageous from a metagaming perspective, but as long as the PC acted sensibly, so be it.
I think min/maxing...
is very appealing to certain players, at least at some point in their RPG journey. Min/maxing implies that RPGs should be approached similarly to chess, which arguably has optimum moves for given situations. I'm generally more interested in the non-min/maxed aspects of RPGs.
Michael's Preferences
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