Interesting title, huh? “How to Game Master like a Fucking Boss” raised more than $4,500 on Kickstarter which was more than twice Venger Satanis’ campaign target.
Venger writes for Kort’thalis Publishing with his most recent work Reverly in Torth currently sitting at 4.5/5 stars at DriveThruRPG after multpile reviews.
The Kickstarter tells us a little about the title of this Kickstarter project and forthcoming book. Venger addresses questions;
What’s with the title/tone of this book? Well, I wanted something not only provocative but extremely confident, bordering on arrogance… while inserting a little bit of humor. Like my forthcoming tome will advise, mentoring can be a useful exercise. Find someone that resonates with you, that you admire and be like them or, at least, emulate some of their prominent characteristics for a short period of time.
Read the book’s title as if Kurt Russell from Big Trouble in Little China, Nicholas Cage from Con Air, or Vince Vaughn from Swingers were saying it. The book won’t be a joke; however, it is meant to be lighthearted at times and occasionally funny.
Geek Native has an exclusive look inside the book. We’re also able to show the front cover illustration too. What do you think? Thoughts in the comments box below.
How to Game Master like a Fucking Boss
Improvisation via Covert Solicitation
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GM: You know what would make this situation perfect?
Player 1: If the T-Rex from earlier in the session crashed through the protective dome?
Player 2: Or the wizard’s spell actually made the giant robot bigger instead of smaller because of its magic-resistant exoskeleton?
Player 3: Wait, I know. This isn’t even our planet – we’re still on Ultron 5! We push the button, blow the whole enchilada, and wake up in the citadel of black tentacles!
GM: Actually, Harold got pretty close. Have you been glancing at my notes, dude? Haha. A semi-corporeal enchilada abomination seeps through the dome, attacking you with its guacamole tentacles!
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You could say something similar or completely different. You don’t have to pick any, assuming the players have offered a decent theory – you could use their suggestions to jog your own creative juices or create a hybrid from multiple theories. Really, any variation should be fine.
The point is that players are an untapped resource of good ideas. Occasionally, one or more players may volunteer their opinion, however, if you solicit their opinion using an innocuous phrase such as, “I bet you can guess what’s coming next.” they’ll never know you were grasping at straws, improv-tank bone dry. Even if the players are tongue tied, it gives you a few extra seconds to come up with something truly awesome. In fact, just asking yourself that question is a step in the right direction… what would make this situation even better? Perhaps you’ll be able to answer it yourself before the players have a chance to speak.
Remember, players are sitting their soaking up everything you’re telling them. Though they’re using their imagination to visualize the world, the part of their brain that does all the creative heavy lifting is sitting back in the sun, sipping a piña colada. It’s fresh and ready to work. Plus, these are the guys who are on the outside looking in. They’ll be three times more likely to spot an inconsistency, loop-hole, loose end, or something you forgot about along the way.
Of course, if you were to admit that you’re totally out of ideas and needed help, that would also get results (probably)… but at what cost? Instead of Game Mastering like a fucking boss, it’s more like you’re passing the weed around a drum circle in some kind of hippie commune. Ask covertly and take credit for their work like any normal boss would do.
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