The role of Game Master is one that has many names. (Dungeon Master, Storyteller, Game Keeper, just to name a few.) It is also one that has many roles and responsibilities.
They’re equal parts Referee and Master of Ceremonies. To that end, there’s three important skills we’ll be focusing on: Rules Referee, Scenario Planning, and Improvising.
Rules Referee
In many cases, the Game Master is the one that will be teaching the rules to players if they are unfamiliar with them. Meaning it’s important to know what the rules are. Additionally, if there’s any ambiguities, grey areas, or confusion regarding how the rules should be applied, it’s the Game Master who has final say.
In other words, if this were a video game, you’d be the computer that runs the show and decides how things go.
Scenario Planning
The above is also why it’s important for the Game Master to be familiar with designing scenarios for their game. Many games do have pre-written scenarios available. If there’s a starter set for your game, it will usually include a few scenarios; or these will be available as part of the core rulebook itself.
Familiarizing yourself with these scenarios can be helpful. It can give you an idea of how the game designer thought the game should be played. (And of course, you can simply run them yourself if you feel the scenario is interesting enough.)
Improvising
There’s two variables that will always be outside of your control: the results of the die rolls, and what the players decide they want to do. Even if you have a scenario planned out, the players may have plans of their own for what they want to happen.
Being heavy handed and overruling any player’s choice or die roll is poor form. If you won’t go along with their decisions or random chance, why bother asking the players what they do, or having dice be rolled?
Thus, it’s important to know some techniques for dealing with unexpected ideas or unusual outcomes.
