Bruce
he/him
5.0
(23)
Timezone
Language
About Bruce
I'm Bruce, and I've run games on StartPlaying for four years: 91 games hosted, 23 reviews, a 5.0 rating. Traveller is my specialty. I also run D&D 5e, Pathfinder 1e and GURPS. I now run on Foundry VTT, with Discord for voice. An AI assistant handles rolls and bookkeeping. I run the table. That leaves me free to watch the players, voice the NPCs and follow where you take the story. This table is new, and you'd be among its first players. Expect rough edges, and your feedback shapes it. I'm running a short introductory adventure for people who are new to Traveller or new to Foundry. My background is physics, teaching and tactical training. I'm patient with new players, and I adjust tone to the group, from gritty realism to hard science fiction to political intrigue. I prepare thoroughly and I let your choices change the story. Players need a headset with a microphone so voice stays clear for everyone. Join from a computer. I speak English, French, Russian and Spanish.
At a glance
4 years on StartPlaying
91 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Beginner Friendly
$25 per session
Featured Prompts
My favorite books are
Hard sci-fi like Asimov's Foundation, Niven's Ringworld, and Arthur C. Clarke. I love stories where physics matters, alien civilizations feel truly alien, and technology shapes society in unexpected ways. Also Tolkien & Katherine Kerr, author of the best Celtic Fantasy novels ever.
My favorite shows/movies are
Firefly, Blade Runner, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Star Wars. Gritty realism meets wonder—lived-in ships, moral complexity, and choices that matter. These influences directly shape how I run Traveller campaigns.
When I'm not running games I'm...
Hiking Oregon wilderness, doing farm work, reading sci-fi, or solving differential equations. Semi-retired life gives me time to prep amazing sessions and explore the physics that makes my spacecraft feel real.
How Bruce runs games
Player-Driven Stories: Your choices shape the narrative. No railroading—decisions have lasting consequences. Intelligent Opposition: NPCs use real tactics, social manipulation, and strategy. I run "hard mode"—combat is challenging and rewards clever thinking over dice luck. Immersive Worlds: Professional Roll20 prep with detailed maps, handouts, music, and visual aids ready before session one. Inclusive Table: Patient with new players, welcoming to all backgrounds and experience levels. Rules-Light Philosophy: I know the systems deeply but prioritize story flow over rules debates. Teach mechanics gradually so you can focus on roleplaying. Adaptive GMing: I adjust tone, pacing, and content to match your group's preferences—whether you want gritty survival, heroic adventure, or nuanced political drama.
Bruce's ideal table
My table welcomes both veterans and newcomers who enjoy collaborative storytelling with meaningful stakes. I attract players who: - Want their choices to matter—not just follow a predetermined plot - Enjoy tactical challenges where clever strategy beats raw stats - Appreciate immersive world-building with detailed NPCs and consequences - Are comfortable with "hard mode" difficulty (but fair—never cheap deaths) - Communicate openly and work as a team The Vibe: My games balance serious stakes with moments of levity. Expect intelligent opposition, moral complexity, and rich narrative—but also camaraderie, humor, and epic "remember when we..." moments. I run adult tables (18+) but keep content tasteful (fade-to-black for romance/violence when appropriate). Players describe my table as: engaging, challenging, creative, and supportive. I'm patient with rules questions, encourage creative problem-solving, and ensure everyone gets spotlight time. Not a Good Fit If You: - Prefer pure hack-and-slash dungeon crawls - Want guaranteed easy wins - Dislike roleplay or character development - Expect the GM to carry the story alone I want players who lean into the collaborative experience and help build memorable stories together.
Bruce's Preferences
Platforms