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Ragnarok Online => General Discussion => GameMaster Talk => Topic started by: AxeGunner on Jul 15, 2007, 10:03 PM

Title: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: AxeGunner on Jul 15, 2007, 10:03 PM
What exactly do you look for when you describe a good GM to someone?  Does he do events all the time?  Does he spontaneously spout random jokes?

Also, what about sub-GMs as well.

I'd just like to get different opinions from other people.

The undersigned,
   Axe
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Pow on Jul 15, 2007, 10:51 PM
There are many types of "Good" Game Masters, since most of them are good at doing different things.

I for one believe that honesty is always the best policy - whether you want the community to know the truth or not. I also believe in doing what the players want - not just what I want which is a HUGE plus when it comes to people describing you as "good".


Anyway - basically be yourself and don't let people tell you how to do your job =p



-Pow
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Transcend on Jul 15, 2007, 10:59 PM
Copy cat me and you will be the best hybrid GM ever :D!
anyway,don t be emo/g§§ with ¨^_^
No no,be serious,LISTEN TO THEM,DO WHAT THEY WANT IF YOU CAN [IMMEDIATELY] D:
for EG they wanted guild bases i made them ones where u enter with a password !!!
So don t be lazy
also,a good gm is one who is skilled (TECHNIQUALY) who has potential and a near to 0 limit when it s about creating something :D
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Slaw on Jul 16, 2007, 01:12 AM
A good GM is professional, he doesn't care if he's disliked by the community or not, nor is he rude. He tries to balance good support and a friendly atmosphere while at the same time keeping a distance from the rest of the community, making sure everyone knows he isn't a player, but a staff member. A good GM shouldn't be afraid to ban/warn/jail, no matter who's done something wrong, nor should he be afraid to keep an eye on the rest of the staff (Face it people, corruption is a big problem with private RO servers). A good GM does not believe everything can be solved by holding two events a day (Boy have I seen that one too many times), nor does he completely abandon the idea of causing the players some sort of relief from the grinding every now and then, be it a simple event every month or so, or just some random drop-by chats.

A good GM is mature, and he is also a good player, knowing most ingame mechanics. He is knowledgable in (as far as private servers go atleast) basic NPC/item/monster scripting, and should know enough about the used RO clients to be able to give some off-game tech support. A good GM does not have too many strong connections to the community. If he does, there's a bigger chance he'll either go corrupt, or be disliked by certain members. He should also not know the administrators too well. If he does do something wrong, it's alot easier to fire someone if you don't know him.

That's a good GM to me. Professional and knowledgeable.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Mieu on Jul 16, 2007, 01:58 AM
I forget where I first heard this, but I like to say that a good GM makes and enforces the rules, while making it seem like there are none.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Transcend on Jul 16, 2007, 12:22 PM
Quote from: Mieu on Jul 16, 2007, 01:58 AM
I forget where I first heard this, but I like to say that a good GM makes and enforces the rules, while making it seem like there are none.
Aka make it impossible for the players to cheat techniqualy?
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Mieu on Jul 16, 2007, 12:52 PM
That would go under enforcing the rules.  Enforcing rules effectively makes for good administration and a good atmosphere.  Enforcing them TOO harshly or TOO leniently makes it so that the rules are either a joke or a burden.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Pandora on Jul 16, 2007, 02:38 PM
Professional, mature, patient, humble, honest, hardworking. That last one is important, most people who apply to be a GM don't understand that it is work, it's not all fun and play, it's not to show off. If you're looking for a GM you need someone with a head on their shoulders. Sure it's good if they hold events, but they must not spoil the players too much or give insane reward for small events with little efforts. A GM must have a good judgement, not only must they enforce rule but they must judge what punishment applies in different situation. Good GMs are hard to find.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: sineas on Jul 16, 2007, 10:06 PM
@Pandora:
Well said /no1

GMs should also know how to be approachable. Create a bond with players but never forget to draw a line between players and GMs/Staff... this will keep those players in line without drawbacks. ;D
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Transcend on Jul 16, 2007, 11:18 PM
hmm i kind of make them part of the staff,being the only GM (GM01 lol and probably i will always be the only one since the guys like it like that :D) so i never add an npc,give a prize without asking them O_o!
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: MetalMessiah on Aug 03, 2007, 06:48 PM
I have been many Levels of GM's since i joined the Ro scene i Have learned what makes a good gm a good gm. A good Gm is somebody who knows both server side and client side stuff and somebody who has a little bit of experience.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: PerfectDeath on Aug 08, 2007, 02:46 PM
hmm, so it seems that a lot of you prefer GMs to be able to work on different levels.  I'm very familiar with GMs who specialize in one area and work with GMs who specialize in other areas.  Like a very creative event GM works with a scripting GM to build an event script and some other GMs who know more about the server's econ can help with making the prizes etc.

Cause I don't see many GMs who CAN do all of those scripting things but are very good in the other areas.  Also I've seen and read about many GMs that get hired just because they can script and they end up messing up the server because they don't listen to players.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Arcenciel on Oct 21, 2007, 10:44 PM
I would stick to what Slaw said. He said all things that I would expect from a GM.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: AceJay on Oct 23, 2007, 02:25 AM
Heh, Axe.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: SakuraX on Oct 30, 2007, 10:50 AM
Quote from: Slaw on Jul 16, 2007, 01:12 AM
A good GM is professional, he doesn't care if he's disliked by the community or not, nor is he rude. He tries to balance good support and a friendly atmosphere while at the same time keeping a distance from the rest of the community, making sure everyone knows he isn't a player, but a staff member. A good GM shouldn't be afraid to ban/warn/jail, no matter who's done something wrong, nor should he be afraid to keep an eye on the rest of the staff (Face it people, corruption is a big problem with private RO servers). A good GM does not believe everything can be solved by holding two events a day (Boy have I seen that one too many times), nor does he completely abandon the idea of causing the players some sort of relief from the grinding every now and then, be it a simple event every month or so, or just some random drop-by chats.

A good GM is mature, and he is also a good player, knowing most ingame mechanics. He is knowledgable in (as far as private servers go atleast) basic NPC/item/monster scripting, and should know enough about the used RO clients to be able to give some off-game tech support. A good GM does not have too many strong connections to the community. If he does, there's a bigger chance he'll either go corrupt, or be disliked by certain members. He should also not know the administrators too well. If he does do something wrong, it's alot easier to fire someone if you don't know him.

That's a good GM to me. Professional and knowledgeable.

i totally agree with you! indeed there are lots of corrupted GMs out there in private servers, most of them are also a friend of the admin which makes the whole community completely biased! i have seen lots of GMs pretending to be "smart" through joking around, showing off their "GM's power" or even worse favoring certain players and gives item to them! no, people (GM/admin) who does something just for the sake of somebody (players) without a reasonable reason is completely a bs! things such as allowing player sticking up to them (being friends), making the players "happy" through cheap means (by that i mean "physical happiness" which is using a physical object* to satisfy one's desire) in exchange for donation, votes and such

physical object: as in real life they count as the objects that are touchable, useable anything that is PHYSICAL; things that not only exist in the mind concept. in game, physical object is referring to items like useable items (potions, food, etc...), equpiments, and etc drops (cards, stones, arrows... whatever that falls into this section)

an ideal GM is those one who DO NOT care about how players or admin force them to do things that is out of the policy guideline (in other words an ideal GM SHOULD remain neutral as always and forever!) (there were GMs who only did things in favor for donators; where as the non-donators were asking for help, they ignored it or giving delay into it). in addition to that ideal GM SHOULD NOT have an attitude of "below one person (admin); above millions (players)". by far this one is one of the most important aspect of making people think being a GM should/would be, COOL, being LOOKED UP, SPECIAL and DOMINATING (there was once a GM out there who fought a losing battle in pvp then turn everyone into a lunatic just for the sake of his own rage). lastly, an ideal GM should also be what Slaw mentioned, professional and knowledgeable. if a GM fails that, i am sorry but to say he/she is truely a n**b that abuses power only and bringing disasters to the community!

P.S. perhaps someone (an ideal GM) should write a guide on "how to be a good GM"
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Ambrose Merle on Dec 16, 2007, 11:45 AM
Hmm... Pretending I didn't see anyone elses posts, I'll put it into my own wording...

Sub-moderator: Sub = Subordinate. a sub moderator is someone below the normal command used like a deputy rather than a sheriff. Not as strong, not as experienced, but still often times essential, especially on bigger servers. Subs often have no real skills, and learn from other moderators with time. A subordinate moderator must be... willing to learn, responsible, and often times fresh to the experience and therefore under their trial run to see if they'll ever become an actual moderator. These guys are also often time like a back-up reservoir. Got a packed team and someone leaves? Pick out the sub that best fills the hole unless no one really qualifies.

Moderator: Their responsibility is solely to improve the gaming experience and take responsibility for stopping player crime. Player crime is basically any time someone breaks a specified rule, or outsteps a special boundary that does not need to be listed such as hacking the server itself. A moderator MUST be... Patient, discerning, kind, somewhat experienced, long-fused, able to make hard decissions, mature, responsible, and capable of almost always doing the right thing, if not always. If you hire a cranky nasty GM, you'll lose players and the community will start to boil down until the moderator wont come on except for rare occassions because theyself-inflict stress. They also need to be able to hold their temper, otherwise they'll make rash unecessary decissions that can cost the server more than just players. There are other thigns you should look for, but these are the essential for a good long-running moderator.

Super-moderator: obscenely rare. Can do the job of ANY moderator. Scripting, spriting, etc. I could qualify if I took a month to learn how to make maps, and handle client side issues, but I'm backing out of Ragnarok which is often the case it appears for anyone close to being a super moderator. By the time they actually get that kind of experience, they really can't stand the game anymore and dissappear. Often times these guys are also quick learners and fit the moderator qouta to the T minus the patience.

Administrator: Must be flawless by either keeping their mouth shut, or by keeping their mind keen. A bad administrator can sink any otherwise healthy server. They are responsible for barking the orders, handling the corrupt GMs, and filling in for any moderator that isn't pulling their weight. If an administrator gets a report that a moderator banned someone without reason, and the administrator ignores it letting the moderator run free, the administrator took the fault onto their own shoulders and thereby makes the whole server suffer. Administrators do have the option to bsically hide though if they're short tempered and so forth. I would recommend an admin only makes a server though if they're patient since even if the community is ok, setting up a server is a pain in the... Often times as well, the community can wreck anyones nerves, so patience IS key I find in administrating.

There is busloads more, but these are the basics. If you wnt more info, PM me or email me and I'll anser as best I can.

--edit--
sorry, didn't mean to necro.. I thought the last post said nov 30!! >_<;;
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Pandora on Dec 16, 2007, 12:35 PM
I don't think people will mind someone reviving a topic if they have something useful to add to the discussion, it's not like your spamming or advertising a server. Smaller servers might not have that many distinctive roles, but overall I find what you said to be true, and in any of those roles patience is key.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: pupu on Dec 16, 2007, 10:12 PM
You've already gave good enough explanations of how good GMs are like.

Things I hate about bad GMs:

1) They're active everyday:
The reason why I hate the fact that bad GMs are active everyday is because they seem to be involved in everything, even things that they're not supposed to be involved in, making them unwanted and hated. This would cause a lot of drama between the GM and players that the GM has been involved with.

2) They broadcast messages excessively:
This is annoying. GMs should not be broadcasting messages all the time. It's not that bad to broadcast a message to say "hello" each time you log in, but it's really stupid to start conversations on /b. Also, I'd like to include that /b'ing all the time causes anger between players and the GM, because what if there is a group of players possibly MVPing, and they were too distracted by useless broadcast messages by the GM. For example "I like cheese", or "I like untying nots". And yes, I've been to a server that had GMs excessively broadcasting these kinds of messages. Sad, isn't it? It's like they've never seen this command in their lives.

3) "Legit" characters:
I don't have to explain much. If GMs have legit characters, then they should at least make it look like they're not GMs to reduce drama and complaints. I don't even have to tell you guys they shouldn't cheat, because no matter what, and no matter what situation they're in, they ALL cheat. Don't hide it. :)
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Ambrose Merle on Dec 16, 2007, 10:14 PM
Most of the administrators and moderators I've met had one of three issues, of not a combination, or all of the problems..

1. lack of patience.
2. Short fuse.
3. Immaturity.

All three of these can badly wound a server no matter who has it. I'm guessing... 67% of about... 39 moderators my mind is telling me. I'd finish the math but I've got too much to do and I'm too tired XD
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Pandora on Dec 17, 2007, 08:55 AM
Quote from: pupu on Dec 16, 2007, 10:12 PM
3) "Legit" characters:
I don't have to explain much. If GMs have legit characters, then they should at least make it look like they're not GMs to reduce drama and complaints. I don't even have to tell you guys they shouldn't cheat, because no matter what, and no matter what situation they're in, they ALL cheat. Don't hide it. :)

Try to view this from an admin/gm point of view. If you're GMing on a RO server, it's usually because you like RO yourself and thus you wanna play. So yes you will have characters on the server you work on usually, sometimes you'll have characters before you become a GM. No matter how 110% legit you are, people will always suspect you. Whenever you get a new piece of equipment or card, people will think you cheated it. It really sucks let me tell you. Don't go saying that everyone cheats because its not true! T_T I'm not saying that there are not GMs who do cheat, hell I've seen some bad stuff on servers I played, but don't go accusing everyone because of it. I've worked for every single piece of equipment my character owns, I gained every level the normal way and what's more I rarely ever get to participate in event and win prize cuz I'm the one hosting them. Admin/GMing is not all fun and play trust me.

If you're a good GM, you'll bust your donkey to do good work for the server, but there will still always be players to whine, start false rumors or accusations, get jealous or dislike you just because you are authority. It's a really ingrate job sometimes, long fuse is a must.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Ambrose Merle on Dec 17, 2007, 09:57 AM
Quote from: Pandora on Dec 17, 2007, 08:55 AM
If you're a good GM, you'll bust your donkey to do good work for the server, but there will still always be players to whine, start false rumors or accusations, get jealous or dislike you just because you are authority. It's a really ingrate job sometimes, long fuse is a must.


Personally experienced this. I once wanted to help a server by adding in about 500 new items. One of the players started saying I was a bad GM becuase of it and that I was trying to take over. He also claimed he was the administratiors friend, which was a lie. That was just the most recent. I've been called an ***, jerk, and soooooooooo much more it's not even worth the time, and most of time over the dumbest crud. another example, I once made a contest for some people that they had to kill 5 baphos at a time solo. 2 died, but one called his friend in to help, and when I nuked them and the baphos, they screamed out that I was being a jerk to everyone claiming they were playing fair and started blaming each other. A day later I heard reports flying around that I had spam nuked two people for no reason, which was a lie. I did it ONCE and it was becuase they CHEATED the game rules. They were banned shortly after. I probably should have done it in the first place, but I'm merciful to a fault.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Inanna on Dec 20, 2007, 07:24 PM
I like a GM that I have a chance of getting to know. It may sound silly, but I feel like a GM should know their players. If you're around, I'd like to talk to you, find out a little about you, I want to know about the person who is modding the place / administrator. It also makes me more comfortable when I know hey, I can come talk to you without feeling awkward, and I like knowing that whatever problem is going on / what I've spotted will be taken care of.

Communication is VERY important as a GM, no matter what kind they are, and no matter what they're doing. Being able to communicate with your players is going to make things easier on everyone.

I also look for someone who isn't afraid to enforce the rules they put in, even if it makes them look like the bad guy. You enforce the rules because you want it all to be fair -- even against friends.

GM's broadcasting to say chat... makes no sense to me. I honestly don't understand WHY someone would use this as a method of striking up conversation. This is why @main exists, along with PM's. I mean yeah, I can understand wanting the players to know you're there... But not to start up conversations! The broadcaster is for important things, I've seen players say about another GM "why won't he shut up?" and "why is he using broadcast to try to talk to people?" because of the fact he was using this. It seriously puts the users off! I even saw users who had no urge to have anything to do with one guys events because of how he handled himself!

It may be a game, but if you're in a position of moderation/whatnot, you need to act professional. How you act as a GM reflects on your server.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Ambrose Merle on Dec 24, 2007, 11:01 AM
I was just dinkin around, enjoyng this day off, and had to reply to this. I perfectly agree Inanna. Knowing a moderator is nice, and they should try and be social. Being a moderator is hard work, but they should be able to laugh it up with the players here and again. I've never seen any reason moderators can't play, I just think they shouldn't go MVPing or PVPing with or on other players, since it's unfair for the players. Then again, PvPing mods can be an awesome sight for both the mods and players themselves! You didn't sound silly at all, Inanna v^^ Merry Christmas!
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Mewi on Dec 27, 2007, 12:43 PM
Quote from: Inanna on Dec 20, 2007, 07:24 PM
I like a GM that I have a chance of getting to know. It may sound silly, but I feel like a GM should know their players. If you're around, I'd like to talk to you, find out a little about you, I want to know about the person who is modding the place / administrator. It also makes me more comfortable when I know hey, I can come talk to you without feeling awkward, and I like knowing that whatever problem is going on / what I've spotted will be taken care of.

Communication is VERY important as a GM, no matter what kind they are, and no matter what they're doing. Being able to communicate with your players is going to make things easier on everyone.

I also look for someone who isn't afraid to enforce the rules they put in, even if it makes them look like the bad guy. You enforce the rules because you want it all to be fair -- even against friends.

GM's broadcasting to say chat... makes no sense to me. I honestly don't understand WHY someone would use this as a method of striking up conversation. This is why @main exists, along with PM's. I mean yeah, I can understand wanting the players to know you're there... But not to start up conversations! The broadcaster is for important things, I've seen players say about another GM "why won't he shut up?" and "why is he using broadcast to try to talk to people?" because of the fact he was using this. It seriously puts the users off! I even saw users who had no urge to have anything to do with one guys events because of how he handled himself!

It may be a game, but if you're in a position of moderation/whatnot, you need to act professional. How you act as a GM reflects on your server.

Believe it or not... I have actually been shunned for being too 'social' with the public.  Even though I was handling scam reports, technical support and in-game support and spending 5 hours a day GMing...  But some people had the nerve to say that I was not doing my job simply because they saw me in Prontera chatting...  -.-  I was not paid... I did the job for free and it consumed a great deal of my personal time yet they thought I was not allowed to socialize...  I helped people even when I was on my break...

But anyway the proof I showed like 50 thousand times... when those two players slandering me that said I didnt do my job was the technical support section.  Where it said...

Last Post By GM-Mewi
Last Post By GM-Mewi
Last Post By GM-Mewi
Last Post By GM-Mewi
Last Post By GM-Mewi
Last Post By GM-Mewi
Last Post By GM-Mewi
Last Post By GM-Mewi

And so on for just about every thread there.  I helped many upon many of players just to get slandered blah... Thats how it always ends up when being a highly active GM I guess.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Ambrose Merle on Dec 27, 2007, 05:51 PM
Mewi, for being such a learned GM, you seem to miss the point of why certain players really do that. It's not that they don't think you're doing your job, it's becuase they are jealous, think they can do better, hate you, or they're just plain nasty. I've gotten numerous players who hated me to admit why both in and out of the public's vision. There will ALWAYS be players making a fuss, ranting, and complaining of non-existant problems siply becuae they're too stupid to do anything else! You sound more like a new GM, not an old one. No offense, just an observation. I've been Gming for... almost over 3 years now, would have been four, but I quit early December and I was originally a GM at February... 15th I think it was?... or was it the 16th...? ... Blegh... Oh well, not important!
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Mewi on Dec 28, 2007, 04:16 PM
Quote from: Ambrose Merle on Dec 27, 2007, 05:51 PM
Mewi, for being such a learned GM, you seem to miss the point of why certain players really do that. It's not that they don't think you're doing your job, it's becuase they are jealous, think they can do better, hate you, or they're just plain nasty. I've gotten numerous players who hated me to admit why both in and out of the public's vision. There will ALWAYS be players making a fuss, ranting, and complaining of non-existant problems siply becuae they're too stupid to do anything else! You sound more like a new GM, not an old one. No offense, just an observation. I've been Gming for... almost over 3 years now, would have been four, but I quit early December and I was originally a GM at February... 15th I think it was?... or was it the 16th...? ... Blegh... Oh well, not important!

Em I was aware of why they were doing it, did I say I wondered why?  You claim me as a "New GM"  I've been GMing for almost 5 years, moderating longer, and clan leader even further back.  Odds are I have a considerably larger amount of experience than you as a GM.  I do not see what grounds you have to base such an accusation off from and it is offensive to me for you to say that.  Considering that you do not know me,  you have little info on me AS a GM.  As far as I am concerned you are basing your "new GM" claim off from an assumption that I do not understand on "why people do what they do"  I am not blind -.-

I fight corruption, and to be honest, people who have faught corruption as long as I have, are usually 3 steps ahead of the actual people creating the corruption in question.  For me GMing is second nature,  it's nothing foreign to me and neither is fighting dishonest people/players uh robots?

Over the years I've had to put up with sexual harassment, sexism, discrimination and a whole long list of perverted and disturbing things, that are usually a daily thing for most women who are frequent online users.  If you are judging me based on my gender ( not saying that you are but just in case )  I can assure you that my femininity is what made me such a cold stone hearted rule advocate.

During my past years of GMing,  I have learned, I have adapted, and I have maybe snapped at most 3 players/members ( but I wasn't the only GM/Mod they ticked off )  Either way,  I'm not saying I am perfect.  We all have flaws,  but when it comes to moderating I hide nothing, zilch, nadda and I am brutally honest when a fact needs to be stated.  I am more than confident at my abilities in this area.  But it's not like I have to defend myself to you,  I just thought I'd inform you ^~
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Ambrose Merle on Dec 29, 2007, 12:24 PM
You sure know how to blow things out of proportion. I said I suspect you of, and don't be so certain at your superiority. Your temper is clearly higher :P

Second nature? Sure, right. You're crowning yourself too heavily on this.

As far as not being blind, you seemed to make it obvious in your statement that I originally commented on that you believed they actually thought you were being too social.

On the note of defence. What, or whom were you defending from? Me? I said no offense and I was lightly questioning, not making an open battlefield. There are literally thousands of moderators out there, and I make it common practice to question them, since most are beyonf incompetant and full up on themselves.

I made an analysis, but I'm keeping it to myself. If you wish to carry this on as a debate, or not, please PM me, you're more likely to get a reply, and sooner at that.

Laslty. Inform me? You needn't inform me of any such things, and that was scarcely informing since you clearly felt the need to defend yourself from the undefendable. I repeat myself, I wasn't attacking, merely lightly questioning. If any thing I've said on here was an "attack" of some sort, it would have been these statements that basically told you to reread what I said and calm down. I'm certain you are calm, but I doubt you're calm enough.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Zone on Dec 29, 2007, 06:35 PM
I think I would look for someone who shows promise, really, there are many factors that you can look for, but in the end, you may get most of those things, and get a dedicated staff member, or you can get an egotistic gm who leaves you for another server because they think that since they are "everything" you look for in a gm that they can act as they wish and they want to  be more flamboyant about their title, so they go for a larger server.
>.>
I say this because you can get the "best" gm, but they can be the polar opposite, let the newer gms intern to get a feel for their position and always, always keep on them, that makes them feel more noob so they try to do their best.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Mewi on Dec 29, 2007, 11:38 PM
Quote from: Ambrose Merle on Dec 29, 2007, 12:24 PM
You sure know how to blow things out of proportion. I said I suspect you of, and don't be so certain at your superiority. Your temper is clearly higher

Second nature? Sure, right. You're crowning yourself too heavily on this.

My temper?  My feelings on this topic are entirely neutral.  I am "crowning" myself too heavily now?  Your analytical nonsense needs to come to a halt,  I merely covered all the factors in your so called 'judgment' of me which was a blatant attempt of singling me out from all of the other members in this thread.  You can call it "blowing it out of proportion"  But just remember who was the first one to lay the judgments in this "debate."  I am not becoming a moderator/GM near any location that you presently reside ( nor would I want too ) so you can stop with the attacks of the experience that I have, in which you have more than likely... ZERO knowledge of.

I quit moderating/GMing long before this debate went on, but the experienced I gained during those times remain.  It IS second nature,  do not dare claim ( even vaguely ) that you know what is second nature to me.   I never went out of my way to place judgment on your talents ( if any ) as a GM, however you did do that to me.  Just remember there is a difference between being conceited and simply being honest.  A good GM/Mod/Admin is brutally honest.  I will NOT go out of my way to lie for you or for anyone.   I will NOT go out of my way to tell you what you want to hear which is also likely the exact opposite of everything I have said above.

Quote from: Ambrose Merle on Dec 29, 2007, 12:24 PM
As far as not being blind, you seemed to make it obvious in your statement that I originally commented on that you believed they actually thought you were being too social.

Did I ever once state in my first topic that I did not know why they were acting that way?   I was adding onto a post made about GMs being social.  That event was something that I experienced on the server EuphRO ( v2 )  When two users made an argument against my GMing that "she is always in Prontera talking."  I was support GM AND public relations, not to mention on the side... bot hunting. They could not of possibly seen the massive PMs, the 20-30 bots I banned a day and the technical support that I was dealing with ( oh wait they could see that last one /hmm ) .  I stopped talking publicly when I received a report.  But all of that is to prove their accusations incorrect, I was FULL aware of the type of people they were before hand.  Can I be anymore clear?

Quote from: Ambrose Merle on Dec 29, 2007, 12:24 PM
On the note of defence. What, or whom were you defending from? Me? I said no offense and I was lightly questioning, not making an open battlefield. There are literally thousands of moderators out there, and I make it common practice to question them, since most are beyonf incompetant and full up on themselves.

Also I would like to point out how saying "no offense" when the intention is obviously going to lead to offend someone... does not nullify that it was offensive.  Did I ask for your questions? ( what questions? ) Did I ask for you to make blind observations on my character/experience and person?  Let me answer for you,  no.  You say clearly to me "dont be so certain at your superiority"  Yet you are the one who began the so called superiority flaunt by placing judgment on someone else.

Considering you were the one to begin the targeting,  you can take it to PM.   Thank you for your response and may you always have a wonderful day.

~Mewi~

PS:  I'm done spamming in this thread for sure,  talk about off topicness >.>"
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Zone on Dec 29, 2007, 11:42 PM
o.o;;
Okay then, back on the subject!!
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Mewi on Dec 29, 2007, 11:44 PM
Quote from: Zone on Dec 29, 2007, 11:42 PM
o.o;;
Okay then, back on the subject!!

Yeah XD  So Zone,  what do you expect out of an Event GM? 

I could never stand being an Event GM XD  I could do it... but I didn't want too haha,  out of my zone I guess D:
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Zone on Dec 30, 2007, 12:15 AM
Personally, I look for good ideas, a flexible schedule, and planned events, instead of just throwing them out there out of no where.
Event GMs should do more than just events though, Events should be weekly I suppose, just to keep them rare so they really are events, unless it is something important.
Event GMs should be able to script or sprite, generally, or be a support, as not everyone can script.
As every GM, they should be fair, not giving out items, abusing powers, breaking any rules users follow.
As a staff member every gm is representing the server, one flaw, and it's a nick in the server's reputation.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: MilkyChan on Mar 20, 2008, 11:17 AM
in my opinion a "good" gm needs the following:

*calm nature
*stress/anger tolerance
*loyalty
*knowlage of the game, and of the posision they have(like scripters can script)
*realy good social skills

if a gm misses out on any of this.... they will be either corrupt, or will scare your players away

Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Guest on Mar 20, 2008, 03:36 PM
Quote from: MilkyChan on Mar 20, 2008, 11:17 AM
in my opinion a "good" gm needs the following:

*calm nature
*stress/anger tolerance
*loyalty
*knowlage of the game, and of the posision they have(like scripters can script)
*realy good social skills

if a gm misses out on any of this.... they will be either corrupt, or will scare your players away

xD so true..... but there are a lot of servers that start off with maybe one good GM and when the others get fired they're forced to resorting to hiring like 12 random crapy GM's just because there so stressed
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Zinron on Mar 20, 2008, 03:48 PM
Quote from: JJJ on Mar 20, 2008, 03:36 PM
xD so true..... but there are a lot of servers that start off with maybe one good GM and when the others get fired they're forced to resorting to hiring like 12 random crapy GM's just because there so stressed

Way to describe eternity.

I really wonder why I still see it on many servers that hire GM's for specific jobs and only that job. such a bot hunting GM not offering any kind of support or an event GM doing the same. (yeah I got the pleasure of experiencing a server where I needed support from a GM, only the event was online and got "sorry i dont do support i only do event")
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Guest on Mar 20, 2008, 03:55 PM
Quote from: Zinron on Mar 20, 2008, 03:48 PM
Way to describe eternity.

oh shoot >.< sorry i really didn't mean to do that Dx i guess it kinda just came to mind while i was posting that....

Quote from: Zinron on Mar 20, 2008, 03:48 PM
I really wonder why I still see it on many servers that hire GM's for specific jobs and only that job. such a bot hunting GM not offering any kind of support or an event GM doing the same. (yeah I got the pleasure of experiencing a server where I needed support from a GM, only the event was online and got "sorry i dont do support i only do event")
well usually i find this a good thing.... to some extent
cause imo all GM's should do public support and their specific job as well
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: MilkyChan on Mar 21, 2008, 07:09 AM
my current server has a staff of 3 of wich scripter/game master/admin(me)

but every gm has the extra function of support gm
and and gamesmaster has the fuction of bot hunter/support/rule enforcer

then again i run on low population so what do i know right? :3
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Pow on Mar 21, 2008, 07:31 AM
Quote from: MilkyChan on Mar 21, 2008, 07:09 AM
my current server has a staff of 3 of wich scripter/game master/admin(me)

but every gm has the extra function of support gm
and and gamesmaster has the fuction of bot hunter/support/rule enforcer

then again i run on low population so what do i know right? :3

Actually, you could know alot more than anybody else here. For the simple fact that is it is harder to impress a small audience than it is a large one. Why?

Lets say you have a population of 200 - and 100 of them are from the same ethnic background, nationality etc. Now, for the sake of things, lets just say that they are all Icelandic.. If 20 out of the 100 Icelandic people AGREE with you on something, they have the pulling power to convince the other people. Now that's HALF of your server in agreement, and the other half not. Now since the other half are "Minority" groups, when faced with the Icelandic people - most of the time they wont speak up.

If you have a small population, even making 1 wrong choice to 1 person can start a landslide of hate etc.

That's just my opinion though.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Mewi on Apr 04, 2008, 05:42 PM
Quote from: Zinron on Mar 20, 2008, 03:48 PM
Quote from: JJJ on Mar 20, 2008, 03:36 PM
xD so true..... but there are a lot of servers that start off with maybe one good GM and when the others get fired they're forced to resorting to hiring like 12 random crapy GM's just because there so stressed

Way to describe eternity.

I really wonder why I still see it on many servers that hire GM's for specific jobs and only that job. such a bot hunting GM not offering any kind of support or an event GM doing the same. (yeah I got the pleasure of experiencing a server where I needed support from a GM, only the event was online and got "sorry i dont do support i only do event")

Actually having assigned duties are a wonderful thing, else you will get MANY staff conflictions.

If I had a dime for how many times an admin/developer stuck their nose into a matter they had no experience/knowledge in... I'd be a millionaire.  Truth be told, admins/developers are not really GMs they are admin/developers... and the two roles are and should be entirely different and should be separate to avoid drama and confliction.

When an admin is trying to take on every role of the server, what is the first thing that usually happens?  The admin gets stressed, the work piles up, no updates, the admin quits, no server or a new admin in his/her place that will ruin the server.  Seen it a dozen times...

Hiring a Co-Owner/GM Monitor who has the assigned job is rule advocacy and basic GMing to hire other GMs that do the same is best for a server.

To many times have I seen admins/developers try to please everybody, even the rule violators... but when rules are considered, there is always going to be someone that is unpleased with being punished/not getting punished or unpleased with even the most logical rules.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Tears of Blood on Apr 22, 2008, 08:40 PM
It depends on what position I want said GM for.

Scripters: I don't care, they just have to be able to script and not be obnoxious to players.

Event GM: Outgoing, online a lot, fun, lenient. They have to know when to crack the whip, though.

Patrol GM/Enforcer: Same as Event GM, but they have to be observant and intelligent.

Of course, all GMs would have to be somewhat articulate. Not to a point where they're boring, but they have to be intelligent people. I won't have morons running my server with me.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Scars on Jun 17, 2008, 03:10 AM
If they're sexy or beautiful! Lol jk.

I think for me its all about,

-Likeable
-Strictness
-How active they are
-Creativity
-How they treat people (Snobbish GM sometimes is needed)
-Trustable
-Loyalty

Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Helrouis on Jun 17, 2008, 03:59 AM
Quote from: Scars on Jun 17, 2008, 03:10 AM
If they're sexy or beautiful! Lol jk.


Hey, we had the same criteria! drools~

I'm looking for a GM who's friendly/knows how to manage the server/knows how to handle players.
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Flightlevel on Jun 26, 2008, 10:45 PM
I look for skill, trust, manner and easy to be accepted within the community.  ;D
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: DragonHero on Jan 17, 2009, 10:07 PM
Quote from: AxeGunner on Jul 15, 2007, 10:03 PM
What exactly do you look for when you describe a good GM to someone?  Does he do events all the time?  Does he spontaneously spout random jokes?

Also, what about sub-GMs as well.

I'd just like to get different opinions from other people.

The undersigned,
   Axe

Loyalty.. Honesty.. and has his own personality.

I as a gm on my server am evil. When i host an event i make a bunch of weak monsters appear. then spawn 1 mvp in 5 random areas... To watch players die or run around like headless chickens because they are trying to ditch the mvp. Bwahaha!
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Mewi on Jan 18, 2009, 01:29 PM
Quote from: Tears of Blood on Apr 22, 2008, 08:40 PM
It depends on what position I want said GM for.

Scripters: I don't care, they just have to be able to script and not be obnoxious to players.

Event GM: Outgoing, online a lot, fun, lenient. They have to know when to crack the whip, though.

Patrol GM/Enforcer: Same as Event GM, but they have to be observant and intelligent.

Of course, all GMs would have to be somewhat articulate. Not to a point where they're boring, but they have to be intelligent people. I won't have morons running my server with me.

You should definitely differ Event GM and Rule Enforcer... Both jobs have their own specific goals.  Since the Event GM is there to Please Everyone, and you give the Event GM to much power, they usually end up going corrupt due to that need to "Please Everyone"

I've seen it many upon many times ;o
Title: Re: What do you look for in a GM?
Post by: Astonica on May 09, 2009, 04:29 AM
I'm sorry if this is considered as threadmancy, but anyway, I just faced this problem recently, and I only want to share this with you all. I think this thread fits for my post, although this is actually from a player's point of view.

Once I played in this local private server, and my character suddenly disappeared. She was an Aura Stalker, level 99/70, exp rate is 300x compared to idRO (not iRO). Took hours to level up even against Ice Titan when I was level 90+.  :( I asked the GM who was online by using my second slot character, and she was like, ignoring me. She was chatting with some male players. I kept on whispering her and finally, I got a respond. But it was "I don't want to know if it's n00b problems". Ignoring her attitude, I asked about what actually had happened to my character. She said there was a blackout which caused a server crash, and it seemed that my character got deleted due to that.
I asked her if she could do anything to recover the data, but she said there's nothing she could do, and suggested me to "start from the beginning again". Then she ignored me again, simply to chat with the male players. Or should I say, flirting?
I swore I'll never play in that server again. >_>

Umm, that's the background story, so basically, I am expecting a GM to be someone who know well that he/she has great responsibility, therefore he/she should do the best for the player's comfort. I didn't ask for my character to be recovered if it simply couldn't happen, but at least offer me a hand instead of hanging out with other players for fun. I mean, that kind of attitude just really kills the image of "kind and helpful GM". If you only want to chat with players, be one of them, don't be a GM. >_<

Once again, I only want to share. Please forgive me if this sounds offending or rude, and I apologize for my bad English. It is not my first language.

Thanks. =)