Describe the best compliment you’ve had while gaming.

This is an uncomfortable one for me. I don’t take complements well. ~ I’ve struggled with low self worth & low self esteem for most of my life. This may seem hard to believe given my hubris & arrogance that comes across more often than I’d like, but I have come to understand that they are both sides of the same coin.

However, that’s enough time on the therapist’s couch.

The best compliment I can get as a GM is some version of “good game” or “that was fun” or “I enjoyed that”. ~ I was glad that my players in the martian game enjoyed the radical shift in the game world once the timeline got corrupted. Sometimes I’m not sure how a game went until the players give me feedback. There have been times where I wasn’t happy with how I did, but the players enjoyed the session.

To be honest, often I feel as though I can’t really take credit for a good session. It’s collaborative, & a good set of players makes the game. As a GM I’m just one piece of the puzzle.

As a player, I suppose the best compliment I ever get is when someone likes my character or how I’m presenting them. Occasionally the “that was cool when you (insert cinematic & thrilling stunt here)”. Although, it’s more meaningful if someone enjoyed a moment where my character has made a difficult decision. ~ These don’t generally come as isolated compliments, but get mentioned in discussions about the game.

At the end of the day, I’m not really performing for anybody on either side of the metaphorical screen. Compliments are nice, but I’m more concerned if I am adding something of value to the shared experience. Sometimes I’m not sure if I am, so a bit feedback is welcome.

We would all do well to let others know when we appreciate them and their contribution to our experience. ~ Life & the relationships we have are ephemeral. We may not get another chance.