"I'm just not in the mood." Real talk, this is one of the most important things to recognize as both a player and someone running the game. The longest game I ever ran was multiple years in length. We would meet up at one player's house every week (minus when people were out of town or otherwise occupied), but we didn't have another D&D session every week. Every time we all got together we would hang out for a bit, catch up, and then see if everyone was onboard for that night's session. If anyone wasn't in the mood or wasn't ready, then we just spent the evening hanging out and usually playing a board game. Runebound, Arkham Horror, Axis and Allies, or any number of other games. We're all looking to have fun, and sometimes that means taking a step back.
This is what I where I would say "NEEDS TO BE FEATURED" in other places. Combined with the fact of "Soandso can't make it", the feeling that folks HAVE to play DnD is something that shouldn't be pressed at a get together, especially a weekly get together. A DnD session should certainly include what you are talking about, Amy: a get together that isn't just "let get down to the business: DnD". It should be about people getting together to have fun. If the DM isn't having fun, eventually no one will have fun. This may not be immediate, but down the line it will show either in quality of play or simply "I am canceling this week's session" or "I am burned out".
This is a really good approach I’m going to use in the future! I have chronic fatigue which makes my ability to run and play the games I love with friends very unpredictable, so often I end up cancelling completely - but your comment has given me a great idea for a middle ground I never thought of!
I offer every DM I play with to run a one shot whenever they feel like this. I keep like... 6 or so one-shots on the back burner, prepped and ready to go, for situations like this.
One of my favorite D&D moments was when my players apologized for messing up an "elaborate puzzle" I had set up. I 100% just had the intro to the encounter and nothing else. They came up with a puzzle I didn't plan, and then assumed they were foiling it.
You know Matt, you were the first channel I found when I first seriously undertook the task of becoming a DM and you’re videos hooked me from the start. I was smacked by excitement to see you posted a new one after all this time, and I just want to let you know how influential your content has been for me. When you spoke about finding the things that inspire you, I realized that your videos are the thing that inspire me. I have a game coming up in a few hours and after watching this I feel pumped up to make something I’m super juiced about, so in a word, thank you. You’re awesome Matt, looking forward to seeing what wisdom you continue to inspire us with.
I watched a good bit of your livestream of the recording of this. It is astonishing how different it is - and wanted to give you some recognition for the sustained, consistent effort throughout the taping. I'm sure you're used to it but pretty impressive, not everyone could keep on an even keel, keep working, keep focused through so many iterations. really interesting to watch both versions, thank you for sharing
The way he edited on the fly blew me away. Changing the text speed, reading ahead to plan emphasis, noticing when it sounds off AND THEN he just goes and records a second video with completely different content. Matt might have real wizard levels or maybe bard for performance expertise.
@@GrimmDelightsDice www.twitch.tv/videos/784681070?t=0h11m08s - you can whatch how the sausage is made there, it's a twitch VOD of Matt recording this Running the Game Episode.
“Just because it’s written down doesn’t mean you have to do what it says. You’re in charge, not the adventure.” It’s hard to remember this sometimes. You’re the best, Matt!
When I need inspiration, I do most of what you said: watch a movie, play a game (even non-fantasy games), read random entries in the DMG and Monster statblocks.... or watch your videos. I'm serious, you're one of the big reasons I started DMming mid-2019 after years of just being a player :)
This almost made me cry. This year has dropped a load of DM burnout on me that has pervaded my gaming all year long. I needed this video. Thank you, Matt!
I've been GMing a third of my life, and nothing you have said, I did not already know. But I find it immensely helpful to hear it all together like this. I always come back to your advice videos. Thanks for this
It's really well put together. I train new dms sometimes in how to do things like see the board from this point of view (I usually do it as co-dming and stepping back week by week until they run alone) and the first thing I tell everyone at the table is "Im a player too, even if you think it's you vs me- so don't treat me like I hate you, or am out to get you specifically." I say that again when I have a new dm by my side, usually one of those players, and I say it every session I'm training, until the day it clicks for the new dm. Usually by them realising it is still a game, just like playing it or banker is part of certain games- and then them starting to turn wheels in their head like "what is Dave doing that I like? She's doing voices and a lot of winging it, but other dms do more direct from the book- where do I like the balance?" It always happens AFTER they realise they are just as interactive and positioned to have fun as the six people around them, just seeing it from the other side. This video might be a way for them to see that clearer.
HAHA i had a similar idea! first villain of the game im gonna be running soon is gonna be an inland cultist to an ocean god - hes a body of water inland, a vessel for his god to reach where it normally couldnt. he is known as the River, at least, to his people ;^P
Nobody throws a DM his dead villains and tells him to ride. Nobody. Matt, you are a great writer and a great GM - thank you for all the inspiration! and warm regards from Moscow :)
I'm a relatively new DM who had a great last session. Our next game is in 5 hours, and my prep work thus far has just been the outline of what's "supposed" to happen with nothing interesting or engaging filled in. I have tried repeatedly to force myself to sit down and build the world and events around that outline, but it's been painful. This video is exactly what I needed. The reason our last session was so fun was because I had a lot of fun writing a tangent (soon to be parallel) story line and got to sit back and watch my players tug at the threads of the new mystery. Your videos have always been a great boon to my DMing experience, but this video in particular hit the exact right chord for me at the exact right time. Thank you, Matt. I am excited to write again!
Awesome timing on this video. My GM has been confiding in me about his hesitation to run. I think I’ll run a one shot and give him a break and a link to this video. Awesome to see Matt Colville again!
This came out at literally the perfect time for me, I was on the verge of taking an extended hiatus from the campaign I run due to "burnout" this vid made me realize that I was not burnt out, I just was not exited. We're taking a small break and running a few one-offs, and our new campaign starts in a few weeks! Thanks, Matt!
Doesn't matter how many times he go, the memories stay, and everytime i see notification bar with the yellow and grey symbol I smile, and it is as if he never went anywhere. Welcome back again Captain Colville, it's good to have you on the ship.
I love subtle plots behind the scenes and letting the players know they are in a chess game with the villains (yes plural) who all have their own pieces that affect each other. The players find out as by investigating as they go along that what they did with NPC X influenced the choices of NPC Y. My favorite moments are when the players go on and on trying to fit the pieces together and coming up with their own intriguing stories. Equally satisfying whether they are correct or wrong. And sometimes they inspire me to add a few details I had never considered.
Oh man, this video really helped me. I just talked to some of my players that i'm not in the mood to prepare the next session, but I'm very hyped for the next campaign and really want to write it. We are like in the final chapter of this campaign but I'm not really... feeling it. This video helped me a lot. Thank you, Matt.
3 years ago I was trying to prep for a session and saw this video, it was exactly what I needed. Now, 3 year later, I must say again: thank you Matt! This is EXACLTY what I needed to hear.
Dude this came at a perfect time for me. Had this exact dilemma in my head and this has definetely helped me realize I've been prioritizing the wrong things when I go into dming. Thanks a ton for your awesome content brother
Hey Matt. I just wanted to say thank you for the Video. I've been running the game for about 10 months now and I've been hitting a sort of wall. I thought it was me losing interest in the game but your insight has really helped. I'm going to go watch some action movies now to get some ideas!
Congratulations on running that long! Next stop, a year! Seriously, well done. I’m around a year and a half or so and I’ve hit that wall a time or two. If you can find an inspiration point, you’ll break through again. Good luck.
My favorite part of DMing is creating and playing interesting NPCs. My favorite NPCs become reoccurring characters. My villains have well thought out plans and personalities. I work out their voice and dialogue beforehand because for me, being able to play unique npcs that the players can interact with is fun.
Wow... I watched him make this and watched it now and I'm taking different things away from it. Matt is a river to his people, and that water has depths. Thank Matt.
Incredible video! This video just helped me overcome the block I had for weeks now. It is so relevant for me now, it is hard to describe. It was as if you were talking directly to me about the specific problem I had. Fascinating! Thank you Matt!
One of the videos I rewatch regularly is Seth Skorkowsky's RPG Social Contract (Revised) He goes pretty hard on "fun" being important, but really hits hard on this concept, as well, that the GM is also a player.
It's so weird how sometimes the simplest advice is the best advice. Like I feel like I knew this was my problem, but I needed someone to say it. Thanks Matt! :)
Matt, I can't thank you enough for this video. Your words resonated with me so deeply and this is exactly what I needed to hear. I write this a bit teary-eyed because I've almost forgotten what made me love running the game so much. Thank you for continuing to be our river during this drought.
Lol I need to tell you rolling in front of your players will always lead to a tpk I confirmed that yesterday with goblins and a level 1 party. Reminded me of that old video where you mention your friend always tpk cause he rolls in front of the players.
Well, Matt specified that the first time his friend ran a new edition since his rolling in the open combined with not knowing how deadly stuff is yet was what really killed people
I roll in front of everyone because I run online and changing things so only I see is a huge hassle. What I do to stop TPK is if things get bad the enemy gets more stupid. Ok the paladin is almost down, you know what the goblin doesn't like the look of the cleric and will go fight them. This leaves the paladin up to do more damage. I also do rolling waves of enemies. say 4 enemies at a time, and they keep showing up once it's too much they stop showing up. Now of course level 1 is really hard, it's so easy to die at level 1 that it's ridiculous.
Matt, I was floundering, wondering what to do for the session this weekend. This video was exactly what I needed, and has really gotten me in the mood for D&D again. Thanks so much!! [If someone from my party sees this: no you didn't, I am flawless and would never just wing it when I don't prepare ;) ]
One of the healthiest decisions my group made is to make that last paragraph of yours obsolete. I know many players, especially older ones, think that peeking behind the GM screen dispels the magic, but we found it immensely helpful to involve everyone; there's no reason players can't help with worldbuilding, plotting, encounter design, come up with scenes and NPCs, etc. It shares the workload, making the burnouts Matt is talking about much more avoidable. Also, if you have five heads working on a campaign instead of one, and the GM can settle into the (much less stressful) role of _director,_ instead of writer/producer/designer/editor/janitor they're usually stuck with.
@@ikaemos - I collaborate with my players a fair bit. They've come up with locations and NPC's that just started as a seed of an idea, and very quickly got fleshed out. I've had entire towns spring up around the ideas proposed. Created dynamic and socio-economic and socio-poitical conflicts because of it. I've literally had them create locations on their own, maybe just a paragraph or a few, but they are the basis for fleshing them out in more detail. Stuff I can surprise them with and put a delightful spin on. They always seem to love what happens when I take something like that and run with it. So this is a great tool. I still do a ton of the heavy lifting though. But I'm having some trouble world building. I wonder if giving them some directives/guidelines and letting them start building more pieces might help me out and help them out. Thoughts?
I had actually been facing some DM burnout but the last session was amazing. Previously, I had felt like a chore to run and plan the sessions. In the last session, I planned a big ritual for them to break a curse on an NPC they care about. The ritual had different phases and mechanics and I loved it. It could have been improved as rounds took a little long but it was so fun. So it helped me to realise I like interesting combats that are more than just hit the enemy. I also like seeing my players reactions which is a struggle because it is an online campaign.
"Your players will talk amongst themselves -- argue, plot, scheme -- and ... for me that is one of the joys of Dungeon Mastering." Agreed. One of the contenders for "best session I ever ran" consisted of about half an hour of in-game research followed by about four to five hours of the players just discussing possible meanings for the prophetic verse they found. They were all engaged with the discussion the entire time but I was completely silent. I could have just left the table and they probably wouldn't even have noticed but it was so much fun listening to them deducing, slowly and carefully, the exact meaning I had embedded in the verse.
I watched your videos before I ever ran anything or learned any rules, and when I ran for the first time, I didn know that what I was doing qualified as running as I intended to pitch the concept to a friend. Just by inventing a character on the spot and winging an entire 30min session with my friend, I learned what I only now know how to put into words: What we are really doing when playing D&D is creating a space where, unlike the rest of our lives, everyone's ideas are validated categorically, even if they are impractical or dull to us, they still become part of the collective reality we share. The DM is mostly a negotiator, which is why I love it, because the job of a negotiator is to take peoples ideas and help them comunicate them in the strongest possible way. Or to paraphrase you: "a DM's job is not to solve the players problems, but to solve their solutions". Thank you Matt, your series has made my life so much richer; you truly are a river to your people, you brilliant bugbear ❤
You have no idea how much I needed this. I ran D&D just the other day and my players could tell I was struggling for this very reason. Hearing it from someone else is like getting permission to say, "Just give me a minute, I'm not feeling it right now," to my players. Colville strikes again.
This hit me so hard in the feels. I had the issue of not having fun GMing a group, so I had to stop it and now I feel much better. It was becoming a chore and so it was not fun. I feel so inspired by this video. I'm so a map making GM :3
Great and important video. During Corona our group has postponed the main campaign and each of us have taken a turn at creating one-shots which quickly turned into mini-adventures. I have had recently my second turn at the DMing wheel and I noticed two things I love to do: the first thing is surprising my players. Having a deep gnome necromancer hide in the ribcage of his skeletal monstrosity. Dropping down some Gray oozes. In the second adventure I threw them a Froghemoth. A smoke and eyeball enemy which was an illusion made by the hags that were the actual fight. When the hags surrendered I made their human daughters show up making some players think twice, in an abandoned temple I had an amiable cultist lead them to a Death Kiss which I gave legendary actions and lair actions. Later on as the party betrayed the hags, I made them take revenge with a full on surprise attack. And then I made the real villain shot up; the prophesized heralds of doom the hags were so afraid of; which was a bit anti-climatic as the party including the targeted partymember himself let himself taken away by them. The second thing I like to do when I am DMing is try to engineer the perfect encounter that could kill the party but also give them a fair chance. In other words, i get excited at the prospect of killing the player's characters. When I am DMing, my alignment is Lawful Evil.
The part about demotivation being the main hurdle for DMing really resonated with my experience as a DM. It feels awful to tell your friends who've waited excitedly all week that DND night isn't happening. Having other games or other DMs would've certainly made some of those weeks a lot more fun. Thank you for a video that affirmed a lot of my DM struggles, and we're glad to have you back!
I didn't realize how I badly needed affirmation that it's okay for me to call off a session because I'm just not in the mood. Matt, somehow you find ways of vocalizing exactly what I'm going through as a DM sometime. It's amazing. Please continue.
I play with a group of friends online who all very much understand not being in the mood, not having the energy, or otherwise, to run the game. Probably helps that most of us (and me too now, quite recently), are also DMs. We just have to say “sorry, I don’t have the spoons to run tonight” and we play a board game instead. Or get something else done; we’re all busy adults, a surprise few free hours can always be put to good use. Quite lucky to be in such a bunch of people.
This is something I have struggled with over many years. Finally I've got a great group to play with, we take it in turns to DM and I can create boutique content special to them Oh god, I have never had such hair envy
When I need inspiration to DM I simply come to this channel. Whether it is adding in an action oriented encounter, a skill challenge or just really thinking about whether there is enough tension surrounding the next plot point, I always come out from watching these videos with enough energy to sit down and write. Sometimes having fun as a DM is simply trying something new, especially if you find yourself following the same format week on week.
I was one of those people to whom being a DM was a chore, but I was the only one that was willing to do it and my friends were having tons of fun and wanted me to keep going. So I did. Eventually, I learned that I loved crafting stories that made my players feel things; anger, sadness, surprise, elation, etc. Big emotions. So i began focusing on that angle. That piece of advice-- to find what you like about being a DM and cling to that-- is something I wish I was told when I was that greenhorn DM kid running games in his bedroom. Would have saved me a lot of undue stress. But now, there's nothing else I'd rather do than run D&D. Even now that all my friends DM (kinda thanks to me), I'd still rather be the one behind the screen. But ty Matt for this video! Lots of great advice beyond just what i mentioned above.
When you said “only need prep for four hours max.” I remember my players are ravenous for content and I’ve had to dm 12 hour sessions. I love my party but gods there crazy for dnd.
This whole "your fun translates to my fun" is so true, and it even applies to beginning to write to begin with. Whenever I'm in a writing rut/block/I'm just being lazy and Matt just happens to release a new video talking about writing... welp, his passion translates to mine in the exact same way. I'm about to go binge some planning for the first time in months. Thanks, Matt.
I just thought about this channel for the first time in two months earlier today, and now you upload? I’ve never been happier for someone being psychic!
Music inspires me. There are always songs, often instrumentals, that get my creative juices going and often help me connect with specific characters, locations, or story moments in my game. I don’t always end up using the tracks that inspire me for those things, but they always help me get there.
I've found that I enjoy surprising my players, and for this reason every once and a while I completely toss out the rules and they have a WWE TLC match with some feylords. Good times
Please tell us a rough eta on the 3rd novel in the Ratcatchers series, please 😊... I'm waiting on tender hooks to find out whats gonna happen to Heden 😬 I actually find a quote from your book 'Priest' extremely apt in todays society (with lockdown and all), I heavily paraphrase here, 'What kind of catastrophe must a persons mind have to go through, to see its own self destruction as its only means of escape', that is one of the most profound things i have read in a book in a long time.... Please keep up the great work and I cant wait for book 3 🥰
You truly are a river to your people! This is the video that I needed right now! My party is getting really excited by the Strongholds and Followers additions (1 player built a temple and it's now become a personal goal for everyone). We appreciate your efforts!!!
That thing about figuring out what you like about running the game is really helpful. Like, the other day, after only DMing for my friends before, I ran a one shot for my parents. While my friends know how the game works, I had to explain everything to my parents, especially combat. And I realised, that combat is something I only like in small to medium doses and it kinda feels like work to me, if there isn't some cool story attached to it. The thing I love the most, is creating cool npc's and having my players meet them. So I think I'll tone the combat down in the future and focus more on social encounters. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. ^^
While I was inspired to DM by Mercer, I was given the tools to follow through by Colville. Here I am a couple years late binging your videos again while prepping more D&D content. Thank you for everything Colville!
Matt, I don't know how many of these you read, but I want to say how affirming it was for this to all come out of someone I respect as much as you. I ran a table for 6 months 2 years ago, for 4 players I was really enjoying, and 1 that I wasn't. One of the 4 left suddenly, didn't say anything about leaving, and I haven't heard from them since, and it destroyed my motivation to keep going for the remaining players. I haven't looked at my campaign notes or any of my designs since. With all of that, it feels really ~real~ to hear someone say "you've just got to feel it, and it's not your fault."
I've been going through a major uninspired period, to the point that I actually stepped down as my group's DM. I put together a whole campaign with political intrigue, a sweet map, a solid story, and a killer opening. It lasted two sessions, and I just couldn't hack it. I've been DMing since 97, and this was the first time I felt like I didn't get it. The campaign was flat and empty for me, but my players are looking forward for me stepping back up and taking the reins again. This video helped immensely. This video helped me realize that I put nothing in this campaign for me. I'm going to re-tool some things, and come back to it for me as much as for the group. Thank you.
I absolutely needed this. Lately at my table it seems the only person not having fun was me, and I just got depressed at the thought of sacrificing my fun for the sake of my players. This made me realize I need to reflect and make some tweaks so that we all have fun! Thank you!
I haven't watched any of Matt's videos lately. Now that I am again, I realize how much I missed him. Thank you, Matt, for another wonderful video done well.
You are baaack! YAAAAY! I didnt realised how much I have missed listening to your Running the Game videos Matt! That last "Until next time, Peace! Out!" almost got me emotional.
"I would suggest probably there are better games for you than D&D if you don't like running monster encounters..." Matt, I hope you realize that your content is extremely useful even for GMs who aren't into your particular system. One of the things I love about your videos is that your wisdom mostly applies to RPGs as a whole. I have never liked the D&D system, but I eat up your videos. I am a Savage Worlds guy. I run Savage Worlds because that system suits my style, but I have learned so much from your channel. You have helped me create better encounters, better stories, and better games that my players have enjoyed. Thanks for helping us create memories.
That covid hair is glorious. Thank you for the content. Your video series has been the reason why I DM. I have been DMing a single campaign for over 2 years now. It started out a bit rocky, but over time I have been getting better with descriptions, dropping bread crumbs, and balancing encounters.
I just came back from a great session. A few simple encounters and the players entering a small town in the aftermath of a dragon attack, but everyone was on board throughout and when we ended it, the players couldn't wait to say how cool it was. And the thing is, I had fun too, especially with the town, making it a believable space. You mentioned in some video that you should prepare enough that YOU believe in the world you've created, even if it means overpreparing. That's just one piece of advice that's been incredibly helpful to me. I had fun, my players had fun, so I had fun. Thanks for the videos!
Matt looking like he's about to lead the Rohirrim against the armies of Mordor
Cowabunga!
"Death!"
No please don't
Ride for ruin and for Glory!!!!!!! DEATH!!!!!! DEATH!!!!!!
Matt looking like he's about to score a mutual kill on Doomsday
"I think it's your time to do the dishes tonightt, hun?" *Puts a gun on the table*
That escalated fast...
So when are you guy's free to play D&D?
*gently places gun on the table*
wow, makes way more sence AFTER watching the vid.
But what if they, also have a gun?
@@AcheyFinagahz You get a second gun.
He’s BACK! The online DND Community’s Collective Big Brother is BACK!
Colville's alive!!!!!
@@chaos5896 and crushing it!
I could not have phrased it better myself
@@chaos5896 His hear specialy.
*elbow bumps*
"I'm just not in the mood." Real talk, this is one of the most important things to recognize as both a player and someone running the game. The longest game I ever ran was multiple years in length. We would meet up at one player's house every week (minus when people were out of town or otherwise occupied), but we didn't have another D&D session every week. Every time we all got together we would hang out for a bit, catch up, and then see if everyone was onboard for that night's session. If anyone wasn't in the mood or wasn't ready, then we just spent the evening hanging out and usually playing a board game. Runebound, Arkham Horror, Axis and Allies, or any number of other games. We're all looking to have fun, and sometimes that means taking a step back.
Got to incorporate this into my D7D routine going forward. Sometimes it's just nice to hang out and play something else
That’s it, an excellent way to handle things!
This is what I where I would say "NEEDS TO BE FEATURED" in other places. Combined with the fact of "Soandso can't make it", the feeling that folks HAVE to play DnD is something that shouldn't be pressed at a get together, especially a weekly get together.
A DnD session should certainly include what you are talking about, Amy: a get together that isn't just "let get down to the business: DnD". It should be about people getting together to have fun. If the DM isn't having fun, eventually no one will have fun. This may not be immediate, but down the line it will show either in quality of play or simply "I am canceling this week's session" or "I am burned out".
This is a really good approach I’m going to use in the future! I have chronic fatigue which makes my ability to run and play the games I love with friends very unpredictable, so often I end up cancelling completely - but your comment has given me a great idea for a middle ground I never thought of!
I offer every DM I play with to run a one shot whenever they feel like this. I keep like... 6 or so one-shots on the back burner, prepped and ready to go, for situations like this.
The river flows once again!
Also, rocking hair man!
The river flows, as does his glorious mane
The return of the mane!
Aloemancer, that's a good one. Life before death, Radiant.
He truly is a river to his people
People say even in the following years, many people will keep working from home.
I wonder if we'll also see many people keeping their long hair. :D
This is the video I needed.
Same.
Honestly though.
Yup. Couldn’t figure out why I didn’t want to do session prep this week. This helped me figure it out. Thanks Matt.
Hi captain shack!
Yooooooo it's Shack
My god the Hair is god tier
it looks almost exactly like prince charming from shrek 2
He grows it a little longer and I wont be able to tell my Matts apart.
!appearances
Legendary Super Sajin....engage
His hair time traveled to the 80s
One of my favorite D&D moments was when my players apologized for messing up an "elaborate puzzle" I had set up.
I 100% just had the intro to the encounter and nothing else. They came up with a puzzle I didn't plan, and then assumed they were foiling it.
I'd love to hear the whole story behind this! Hahaha
Matt! Our star in the darkness! The river to our people!
Calm down..
@@dontwearflipflopsfag (it's a reference to an older video in case you didn't know)
You know Matt, you were the first channel I found when I first seriously undertook the task of becoming a DM and you’re videos hooked me from the start. I was smacked by excitement to see you posted a new one after all this time, and I just want to let you know how influential your content has been for me. When you spoke about finding the things that inspire you, I realized that your videos are the thing that inspire me. I have a game coming up in a few hours and after watching this I feel pumped up to make something I’m super juiced about, so in a word, thank you. You’re awesome Matt, looking forward to seeing what wisdom you continue to inspire us with.
I actually feel very similarly and have had a very similar experience. Thank you for voicing this, for both yourself and (in a way) for me, as well.
Oh Matt, you're not a lump of hash. We think.
It is also safe to say that MCDM is nowhere near as chaotic as factory records!
The “Peace... Out” at the end had the infectiously enthusiastic energy of a DM whose table is playing the content they’re excited about.
I watched a good bit of your livestream of the recording of this. It is astonishing how different it is - and wanted to give you some recognition for the sustained, consistent effort throughout the taping. I'm sure you're used to it but pretty impressive, not everyone could keep on an even keel, keep working, keep focused through so many iterations. really interesting to watch both versions, thank you for sharing
The way he edited on the fly blew me away. Changing the text speed, reading ahead to plan emphasis, noticing when it sounds off AND THEN he just goes and records a second video with completely different content.
Matt might have real wizard levels or maybe bard for performance expertise.
THIS! Getting to see the effort behind the scenes makes this even better to watch
Are the streams done on youtube or twitch? I'd love to see this.
@@GrimmDelightsDice www.twitch.tv/videos/784681070?t=0h11m08s - you can whatch how the sausage is made there, it's a twitch VOD of Matt recording this Running the Game Episode.
I have even MORE respect for the work you do for our community after getting that peek behind the scenes! You're truly next level!
“Just because it’s written down doesn’t mean you have to do what it says. You’re in charge, not the adventure.” It’s hard to remember this sometimes. You’re the best, Matt!
When I need inspiration, I do most of what you said: watch a movie, play a game (even non-fantasy games), read random entries in the DMG and Monster statblocks.... or watch your videos. I'm serious, you're one of the big reasons I started DMming mid-2019 after years of just being a player :)
This almost made me cry. This year has dropped a load of DM burnout on me that has pervaded my gaming all year long. I needed this video. Thank you, Matt!
Thank you Matt, I've been stuck, basically saying "I'm not ready," for several months. This is soooo helpful.
I just got over a case of this. It's nice to know what it was really about, and that I'm not the only one it's ever happened to.
I've been GMing a third of my life, and nothing you have said, I did not already know.
But I find it immensely helpful to hear it all together like this.
I always come back to your advice videos.
Thanks for this
Ditto. & Same.
It's really well put together. I train new dms sometimes in how to do things like see the board from this point of view (I usually do it as co-dming and stepping back week by week until they run alone) and the first thing I tell everyone at the table is "Im a player too, even if you think it's you vs me- so don't treat me like I hate you, or am out to get you specifically." I say that again when I have a new dm by my side, usually one of those players, and I say it every session I'm training, until the day it clicks for the new dm. Usually by them realising it is still a game, just like playing it or banker is part of certain games- and then them starting to turn wheels in their head like "what is Dave doing that I like? She's doing voices and a lot of winging it, but other dms do more direct from the book- where do I like the balance?" It always happens AFTER they realise they are just as interactive and positioned to have fun as the six people around them, just seeing it from the other side.
This video might be a way for them to see that clearer.
If I ever discover a new river, I will name it *Colville River:* for he is a river to his people.
There are at least three rivers now called that on the new world map I'm making.
@@dracawyn You gave me the realization that *I* can make the Colville River in my own game.
I can only think of the ending number of Urinetown...
HAHA i had a similar idea! first villain of the game im gonna be running soon is gonna be an inland cultist to an ocean god - hes a body of water inland, a vessel for his god to reach where it normally couldnt. he is known as the River, at least, to his people ;^P
Nobody throws a DM his dead villains and tells him to ride. Nobody.
Matt, you are a great writer and a great GM - thank you for all the inspiration! and warm regards from Moscow :)
You should save those warm regards. In Moscow you will need them. Warmth is a scare resource there from what I hear.
I'm a relatively new DM who had a great last session. Our next game is in 5 hours, and my prep work thus far has just been the outline of what's "supposed" to happen with nothing interesting or engaging filled in. I have tried repeatedly to force myself to sit down and build the world and events around that outline, but it's been painful.
This video is exactly what I needed. The reason our last session was so fun was because I had a lot of fun writing a tangent (soon to be parallel) story line and got to sit back and watch my players tug at the threads of the new mystery.
Your videos have always been a great boon to my DMing experience, but this video in particular hit the exact right chord for me at the exact right time. Thank you, Matt. I am excited to write again!
Awesome timing on this video. My GM has been confiding in me about his hesitation to run. I think I’ll run a one shot and give him a break and a link to this video.
Awesome to see Matt Colville again!
Do it! A dose of Colville can cure a lot of DM woes.
Oh my god, caught this one fresh!
The fact that I went looking for his channel to rewatch old dm videos only for him to have a new upload??? An absolute blessing
This came out at literally the perfect time for me, I was on the verge of taking an extended hiatus from the campaign I run due to "burnout" this vid made me realize that I was not burnt out, I just was not exited. We're taking a small break and running a few one-offs, and our new campaign starts in a few weeks!
Thanks, Matt!
Just dropping in to say that this greatly improved my game tonight. Good timing!
Doesn't matter how
many times he go,
the memories stay,
and everytime i see
notification bar with
the yellow and grey
symbol I smile, and
it is as if he never
went anywhere.
Welcome back again Captain Colville, it's good to have you on the ship.
I love subtle plots behind the scenes and letting the players know they are in a chess game with the villains (yes plural) who all have their own pieces that affect each other. The players find out as by investigating as they go along that what they did with NPC X influenced the choices of NPC Y. My favorite moments are when the players go on and on trying to fit the pieces together and coming up with their own intriguing stories. Equally satisfying whether they are correct or wrong. And sometimes they inspire me to add a few details I had never considered.
Oh man, this video really helped me. I just talked to some of my players that i'm not in the mood to prepare the next session, but I'm very hyped for the next campaign and really want to write it. We are like in the final chapter of this campaign but I'm not really... feeling it. This video helped me a lot. Thank you, Matt.
Kellie, is that you?
A friend if mine that's running a game is in the same place right now.
@@jacobdavis6604 Nah, its not. I'm Arthur hahahaha
Put that gun on the table, dude :D
3 years ago I was trying to prep for a session and saw this video, it was exactly what I needed. Now, 3 year later, I must say again: thank you Matt! This is EXACLTY what I needed to hear.
When our need was greatest he returned! Always a treat to get a new Matt Colville video.
Dude this came at a perfect time for me. Had this exact dilemma in my head and this has definetely helped me realize I've been prioritizing the wrong things when I go into dming. Thanks a ton for your awesome content brother
Well this is the earliest i have ever been. Just want to say people like You, Mercer and Dael are an inspiration to me. Stay awesome and safe
Hey Matt. I just wanted to say thank you for the Video. I've been running the game for about 10 months now and I've been hitting a sort of wall. I thought it was me losing interest in the game but your insight has really helped. I'm going to go watch some action movies now to get some ideas!
Congratulations on running that long! Next stop, a year!
Seriously, well done. I’m around a year and a half or so and I’ve hit that wall a time or two. If you can find an inspiration point, you’ll break through again. Good luck.
"... but that's another video."
Strong "Good Eats with Alton Brown" vibes from that one.
My favorite part of DMing is creating and playing interesting NPCs. My favorite NPCs become reoccurring characters. My villains have well thought out plans and personalities. I work out their voice and dialogue beforehand because for me, being able to play unique npcs that the players can interact with is fun.
This definitely helped me. The “gun on the table” analogy and map idea was genius! Thanks.
I thought a lot about what I enjoy most about running the game, I think that it's the dialogue. High stakes conversations are just so good.
"This is boring. Someone needs to die" *puts a gun on the table*
Is something I may put into a game...
Like having a seemingly even tempered NPC stop in the middle of a conversation, only to then literally say and do that?
Yeah, I just sent that scene to a friend who's one of the members of the party.
That's exactly what i needed for tomorrow matt, thank you from Brazil!
Wow... I watched him make this and watched it now and I'm taking different things away from it. Matt is a river to his people, and that water has depths. Thank Matt.
Incredible video!
This video just helped me overcome the block I had for weeks now. It is so relevant for me now, it is hard to describe. It was as if you were talking directly to me about the specific problem I had. Fascinating!
Thank you Matt!
It’s funny I was thinking this exact thing the other day, the dm is litterally playing the game too
WebDM just released what I think might be their longest video today and I get a new Matt Colville video. What a day to be a D&D fan.
For someone with adhd like me this is basically my whole life philosophy
One of the videos I rewatch regularly is Seth Skorkowsky's RPG Social Contract (Revised)
He goes pretty hard on "fun" being important, but really hits hard on this concept, as well, that the GM is also a player.
It's so weird how sometimes the simplest advice is the best advice. Like I feel like I knew this was my problem, but I needed someone to say it. Thanks Matt! :)
As a new DM who's struggled to cobble together only a few sessions over the last year, this is exactly what I needed
Matt, I can't thank you enough for this video. Your words resonated with me so deeply and this is exactly what I needed to hear. I write this a bit teary-eyed because I've almost forgotten what made me love running the game so much. Thank you for continuing to be our river during this drought.
Hey Matt,
Just wanted to say thank you. Once again you've kept my hobby from slipping into stress instead of Joy.
You are keeping our game running!
Lol I need to tell you rolling in front of your players will always lead to a tpk I confirmed that yesterday with goblins and a level 1 party. Reminded me of that old video where you mention your friend always tpk cause he rolls in front of the players.
Same thing in my games, its even worse with the online systems now because of the dice rollers. Still, the air is the air what can be done?
Well, Matt specified that the first time his friend ran a new edition since his rolling in the open combined with not knowing how deadly stuff is yet was what really killed people
I roll in front of everyone because I run online and changing things so only I see is a huge hassle.
What I do to stop TPK is if things get bad the enemy gets more stupid.
Ok the paladin is almost down, you know what the goblin doesn't like the look of the cleric and will go fight them. This leaves the paladin up to do more damage.
I also do rolling waves of enemies. say 4 enemies at a time, and they keep showing up once it's too much they stop showing up.
Now of course level 1 is really hard, it's so easy to die at level 1 that it's ridiculous.
The best cure for DM's Block I've found yet is watching literally any of the Running The Game videos. It has never failed to spark inspiration.
Matt, I was floundering, wondering what to do for the session this weekend. This video was exactly what I needed, and has really gotten me in the mood for D&D again. Thanks so much!!
[If someone from my party sees this: no you didn't, I am flawless and would never just wing it when I don't prepare ;) ]
One of the healthiest decisions my group made is to make that last paragraph of yours obsolete. I know many players, especially older ones, think that peeking behind the GM screen dispels the magic, but we found it immensely helpful to involve everyone; there's no reason players can't help with worldbuilding, plotting, encounter design, come up with scenes and NPCs, etc. It shares the workload, making the burnouts Matt is talking about much more avoidable. Also, if you have five heads working on a campaign instead of one, and the GM can settle into the (much less stressful) role of _director,_ instead of writer/producer/designer/editor/janitor they're usually stuck with.
@@ikaemos - I collaborate with my players a fair bit. They've come up with locations and NPC's that just started as a seed of an idea, and very quickly got fleshed out. I've had entire towns spring up around the ideas proposed. Created dynamic and socio-economic and socio-poitical conflicts because of it. I've literally had them create locations on their own, maybe just a paragraph or a few, but they are the basis for fleshing them out in more detail. Stuff I can surprise them with and put a delightful spin on.
They always seem to love what happens when I take something like that and run with it. So this is a great tool. I still do a ton of the heavy lifting though. But I'm having some trouble world building. I wonder if giving them some directives/guidelines and letting them start building more pieces might help me out and help them out. Thoughts?
I had actually been facing some DM burnout but the last session was amazing. Previously, I had felt like a chore to run and plan the sessions. In the last session, I planned a big ritual for them to break a curse on an NPC they care about. The ritual had different phases and mechanics and I loved it. It could have been improved as rounds took a little long but it was so fun. So it helped me to realise I like interesting combats that are more than just hit the enemy. I also like seeing my players reactions which is a struggle because it is an online campaign.
"A story without conflict is like music without sound." -Robert McKee
"Your players will talk amongst themselves -- argue, plot, scheme -- and ... for me that is one of the joys of Dungeon Mastering."
Agreed.
One of the contenders for "best session I ever ran" consisted of about half an hour of in-game research followed by about four to five hours of the players just discussing possible meanings for the prophetic verse they found.
They were all engaged with the discussion the entire time but I was completely silent. I could have just left the table and they probably wouldn't even have noticed but it was so much fun listening to them deducing, slowly and carefully, the exact meaning I had embedded in the verse.
The man is back!! So much wisdom between this man's ears!!!
I watched your videos before I ever ran anything or learned any rules, and when I ran for the first time, I didn know that what I was doing qualified as running as I intended to pitch the concept to a friend. Just by inventing a character on the spot and winging an entire 30min session with my friend, I learned what I only now know how to put into words:
What we are really doing when playing D&D is creating a space where, unlike the rest of our lives, everyone's ideas are validated categorically, even if they are impractical or dull to us, they still become part of the collective reality we share. The DM is mostly a negotiator, which is why I love it, because the job of a negotiator is to take peoples ideas and help them comunicate them in the strongest possible way. Or to paraphrase you: "a DM's job is not to solve the players problems, but to solve their solutions". Thank you Matt, your series has made my life so much richer; you truly are a river to your people, you brilliant bugbear ❤
This is a nice almost Friday treat. Happy to have a new video. Keep up the great work.
You have no idea how much I needed this. I ran D&D just the other day and my players could tell I was struggling for this very reason. Hearing it from someone else is like getting permission to say, "Just give me a minute, I'm not feeling it right now," to my players. Colville strikes again.
This hit me so hard in the feels. I had the issue of not having fun GMing a group, so I had to stop it and now I feel much better. It was becoming a chore and so it was not fun.
I feel so inspired by this video. I'm so a map making GM :3
Great and important video.
During Corona our group has postponed the main campaign and each of us have taken a turn at creating one-shots which quickly turned into mini-adventures. I have had recently my second turn at the DMing wheel and I noticed two things I love to do: the first thing is surprising my players.
Having a deep gnome necromancer hide in the ribcage of his skeletal monstrosity. Dropping down some Gray oozes. In the second adventure I threw them a Froghemoth. A smoke and eyeball enemy which was an illusion made by the hags that were the actual fight. When the hags surrendered I made their human daughters show up making some players think twice, in an abandoned temple I had an amiable cultist lead them to a Death Kiss which I gave legendary actions and lair actions. Later on as the party betrayed the hags, I made them take revenge with a full on surprise attack. And then I made the real villain shot up; the prophesized heralds of doom the hags were so afraid of; which was a bit anti-climatic as the party including the targeted partymember himself let himself taken away by them.
The second thing I like to do when I am DMing is try to engineer the perfect encounter that could kill the party but also give them a fair chance. In other words, i get excited at the prospect of killing the player's characters.
When I am DMing, my alignment is Lawful Evil.
Glorious hair as always Matt! Also nice video, looks like the machine is seeing some use again!
The part about demotivation being the main hurdle for DMing really resonated with my experience as a DM. It feels awful to tell your friends who've waited excitedly all week that DND night isn't happening. Having other games or other DMs would've certainly made some of those weeks a lot more fun. Thank you for a video that affirmed a lot of my DM struggles, and we're glad to have you back!
To borrow a line: "Colville's alive!"
I didn't realize how I badly needed affirmation that it's okay for me to call off a session because I'm just not in the mood. Matt, somehow you find ways of vocalizing exactly what I'm going through as a DM sometime. It's amazing. Please continue.
The video, like the hair, is high quality as always
I play with a group of friends online who all very much understand not being in the mood, not having the energy, or otherwise, to run the game. Probably helps that most of us (and me too now, quite recently), are also DMs. We just have to say “sorry, I don’t have the spoons to run tonight” and we play a board game instead. Or get something else done; we’re all busy adults, a surprise few free hours can always be put to good use.
Quite lucky to be in such a bunch of people.
This is something I have struggled with over many years. Finally I've got a great group to play with, we take it in turns to DM and I can create boutique content special to them
Oh god, I have never had such hair envy
I miss these so much. Thanks for gracing us with your presence again Matt!
The drought has ended, the river is back!
When I need inspiration to DM I simply come to this channel. Whether it is adding in an action oriented encounter, a skill challenge or just really thinking about whether there is enough tension surrounding the next plot point, I always come out from watching these videos with enough energy to sit down and write. Sometimes having fun as a DM is simply trying something new, especially if you find yourself following the same format week on week.
I see you, Eddie Izzard reference.
And the same night Critical Role had a sneaky one too! Good times with the Izzard
I was one of those people to whom being a DM was a chore, but I was the only one that was willing to do it and my friends were having tons of fun and wanted me to keep going. So I did. Eventually, I learned that I loved crafting stories that made my players feel things; anger, sadness, surprise, elation, etc. Big emotions. So i began focusing on that angle.
That piece of advice-- to find what you like about being a DM and cling to that-- is something I wish I was told when I was that greenhorn DM kid running games in his bedroom. Would have saved me a lot of undue stress. But now, there's nothing else I'd rather do than run D&D. Even now that all my friends DM (kinda thanks to me), I'd still rather be the one behind the screen.
But ty Matt for this video! Lots of great advice beyond just what i mentioned above.
When you said “only need prep for four hours max.” I remember my players are ravenous for content and I’ve had to dm 12 hour sessions. I love my party but gods there crazy for dnd.
Highschool and my brother
@@Tabletop_Nonsenseverse Another question: where the hell do *we* get a *dm* like that?? 😮😃
This whole "your fun translates to my fun" is so true, and it even applies to beginning to write to begin with. Whenever I'm in a writing rut/block/I'm just being lazy and Matt just happens to release a new video talking about writing... welp, his passion translates to mine in the exact same way. I'm about to go binge some planning for the first time in months. Thanks, Matt.
I just thought about this channel for the first time in two months earlier today, and now you upload? I’ve never been happier for someone being psychic!
It's so gratifying to end a session on a high note and to hear your players get excited for the next session!
I've not watched yet, but I missed you!
Music inspires me. There are always songs, often instrumentals, that get my creative juices going and often help me connect with specific characters, locations, or story moments in my game. I don’t always end up using the tracks that inspire me for those things, but they always help me get there.
I've found that I enjoy surprising my players, and for this reason every once and a while I completely toss out the rules and they have a WWE TLC match with some feylords. Good times
everytime i watch your videos mat t i always feel like i need to grab a notepad. your advice is gold!
Please tell us a rough eta on the 3rd novel in the Ratcatchers series, please 😊... I'm waiting on tender hooks to find out whats gonna happen to Heden 😬 I actually find a quote from your book 'Priest' extremely apt in todays society (with lockdown and all), I heavily paraphrase here, 'What kind of catastrophe must a persons mind have to go through, to see its own self destruction as its only means of escape', that is one of the most profound things i have read in a book in a long time.... Please keep up the great work and I cant wait for book 3 🥰
You truly are a river to your people! This is the video that I needed right now! My party is getting really excited by the Strongholds and Followers additions (1 player built a temple and it's now become a personal goal for everyone). We appreciate your efforts!!!
That thing about figuring out what you like about running the game is really helpful.
Like, the other day, after only DMing for my friends before, I ran a one shot for my parents. While my friends know how the game works, I had to explain everything to my parents, especially combat. And I realised, that combat is something I only like in small to medium doses and it kinda feels like work to me, if there isn't some cool story attached to it. The thing I love the most, is creating cool npc's and having my players meet them.
So I think I'll tone the combat down in the future and focus more on social encounters.
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. ^^
While I was inspired to DM by Mercer, I was given the tools to follow through by Colville. Here I am a couple years late binging your videos again while prepping more D&D content. Thank you for everything Colville!
Matt, I don't know how many of these you read, but I want to say how affirming it was for this to all come out of someone I respect as much as you. I ran a table for 6 months 2 years ago, for 4 players I was really enjoying, and 1 that I wasn't. One of the 4 left suddenly, didn't say anything about leaving, and I haven't heard from them since, and it destroyed my motivation to keep going for the remaining players. I haven't looked at my campaign notes or any of my designs since. With all of that, it feels really ~real~ to hear someone say "you've just got to feel it, and it's not your fault."
WOO HOOOO welcome back matt. We missed you. We know you have a lot on your plate mate. Great to see you here and looking well.
I've been going through a major uninspired period, to the point that I actually stepped down as my group's DM. I put together a whole campaign with political intrigue, a sweet map, a solid story, and a killer opening. It lasted two sessions, and I just couldn't hack it. I've been DMing since 97, and this was the first time I felt like I didn't get it. The campaign was flat and empty for me, but my players are looking forward for me stepping back up and taking the reins again. This video helped immensely. This video helped me realize that I put nothing in this campaign for me. I'm going to re-tool some things, and come back to it for me as much as for the group. Thank you.
I absolutely needed this. Lately at my table it seems the only person not having fun was me, and I just got depressed at the thought of sacrificing my fun for the sake of my players. This made me realize I need to reflect and make some tweaks so that we all have fun!
Thank you!
I haven't watched any of Matt's videos lately. Now that I am again, I realize how much I missed him. Thank you, Matt, for another wonderful video done well.
You are baaack! YAAAAY! I didnt realised how much I have missed listening to your Running the Game videos Matt! That last "Until next time, Peace! Out!" almost got me emotional.
I've seen the livestream and I'm amazed how authentic the presentation looks like even after multiple takes.
As a dude who's been watching your videos for a while, the timing of this video and it's topic, in context is insanely well done.
I'm 100% behind the "Gun on the Table" idea, and I DO IT ALL THE TIME-- And never KNEW how to put it in words. But well put!!
"I would suggest probably there are better games for you than D&D if you don't like running monster encounters..."
Matt, I hope you realize that your content is extremely useful even for GMs who aren't into your particular system. One of the things I love about your videos is that your wisdom mostly applies to RPGs as a whole. I have never liked the D&D system, but I eat up your videos. I am a Savage Worlds guy. I run Savage Worlds because that system suits my style, but I have learned so much from your channel.
You have helped me create better encounters, better stories, and better games that my players have enjoyed. Thanks for helping us create memories.
That covid hair is glorious.
Thank you for the content. Your video series has been the reason why I DM. I have been DMing a single campaign for over 2 years now. It started out a bit rocky, but over time I have been getting better with descriptions, dropping bread crumbs, and balancing encounters.
This video hit me right between the eyes. For the first time, someone put words to how I've been feeling lately. Thanks so much for putting this out!
I just came back from a great session. A few simple encounters and the players entering a small town in the aftermath of a dragon attack, but everyone was on board throughout and when we ended it, the players couldn't wait to say how cool it was. And the thing is, I had fun too, especially with the town, making it a believable space. You mentioned in some video that you should prepare enough that YOU believe in the world you've created, even if it means overpreparing. That's just one piece of advice that's been incredibly helpful to me. I had fun, my players had fun, so I had fun.
Thanks for the videos!
You have no idea how much I needed this!!! I'm struggling in my campaign right now and am dealing with a lot of stress related to "making it work".