Matthew (he/him)
5.0
(25)
4 years on StartPlaying
60 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Visual Aid, Storytelling
About me
I've been running games for people since losing my first die roll at age 9. Over the last 33 years, I've told stories of cavemen, pirates, Jedi, aliens, heroes, and villains. I start with the players and their characters, building a custom-made world and experience that unfolds specifically for them. I’m interested in tales with a bit of mysticism, mystery, and adventure, but having the library and experience that I do, I can run any game, setting, or system given an hour or two prep! I have worked on demo teams for Wizards of the Coast, White Wolf, WizKids, Catalyst Game Labs, Games Workshop, and Privateer Press. I co-founded three chapters of the Amtgard LARP and one chapter of the Mind’s Eye Society. Additionally, I spent three years as tabletop gaming coordinator for CyPhaCon, a mixed-media fan convention in my hometown. For me, role-playing games do what no video game can. Every action or conversation can be accounted for, and those actions should have consequences. Its those choices that make characters memorable after a time playing them, and that's the experience I want to make sure you get!
GM Style
While I can handle any game put in front of me, my preferred style of play is narrative or conversational. For me, the story changes based on the characters in that story, and its my job to honor those choices you've committed to your character sheet. I can do voices, I'm prone to descriptive role-playing, and I build worlds as shallow or as deep as the players want them to be. I do have one rule I live by, though: I am telling the story of your characters, and I don't believe that involves dumb luck killing them. As such, I will always be clear if a conflict could result in a character's death. In any other situation, though, I always plan to take it right to the edge, reserving the right to be... creative... as to their fate.
Games played
Game platforms used
Game Master Reviews (25)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Visual Aid
Storytelling
Walter
Played 23 sessions
One of the greatest DMs I've ever played with, playing with him has been amazing, he has excellent in game aids and is very knowledgeable. He allows for creative solutions which is great. Would highly recommend
Matthew Lowe
Played 1 sessions
I really enjoyed Matthew's Star Trek adventure. The GM's pacing was fantastic ... he managed to go from noobs to the end of an "episode" in the 4-hour time block, and it really felt like an episode of Trek.
Masque
Played 11 sessions
Matt is one of the best story telling GM's that I have had the privilege of playing with. His campaigns are well thought out and each entity within has their own personality. He delivers a dynamic playing experience allowing players to express their creativity with their characters bringing an unparalleled "open world" experience to a set story line that does not make the players feel like they are forced down specific paths within the campaign.
Rich McFate
Played 10 sessions
Matt is an exceptional GM. He's always prepared, but has a remarkable ability to improvise when the players throw him a curveball. I joined the game with very little RPG experience and he's been patient without dumbing down the game for the more experienced players. I would encourage players with any experience level to join one of his games.
Blitzfreeze
Played 46 sessions
Like many new players, during C19 I tried to find ways to entertain myself and was led to DND. I didn't want to burden anyone with my lack of experience so I found myself on startplaying and figured I'd have an experienced GM carry me through my first campaign. Matt has not only made being a player in his campaign engaging, fun, and something I look forward to every week, but he has also helped train me to start my own campaign in the future. I hope to be doing campaigns with Matt years into the future.
Gene Carbone
Played 11 sessions
Matt is the most dedicated and knowledgable GM I've ever played with. His world-building and storytelling is next level and thematically consistent within the context of the game. I'm constantly impressed by his knowledge of the lore (from published content) and how he is able to weave it around the story we are creating together. He applies a story arc to his sessions and campaigns, which lend themselves easily to a comparison of episodes and seasons of a TV/streaming show. I can't recommend Matt enough.
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