GM Academy

GM Academy (Académie-MJ “AMJ” in French) is a Draconis Festival initiative to help support and celebrate our novice Game Masters (GM).

If you would like to offer a game during a Draconis event, but you’re not sure you have enough experience, we propose you submit a GM Academy game. Players who sign up for such a game commit to supporting you through it whenever necessary, and to giving you feedback at the end. It’s everything you need to grow into your new role.

On the other hand, if you are an experienced GM yourself, or a long-time player, we invite you to sign up for GM Academy games during a Draconis event. You will bring the wisdom needed to help train the next generation of game masters.

Expectations for players who sign up for GM Academy games

First, thank you for helping with this initiative! The following paragraphs will describe your role in a GM Academy game.

While we certainly want you to enjoy your time gaming, please keep in mind that your main objective is to help a beginner GM develop their skills. It’s possible that the GM may hesitate somewhere, become confused, or commit an error. You’re there to reassure them, explain the problem (as you see it), help them correct it, and give quick advice on how to prevent the problem in the future. If you’re ready for all that, you’re in the right place!

What to expect from the GM

Those offering GM Academy games are novices at running games, whether or not they have already been playing for a long time. Their needs may be as simple as having a positive GMing experience to boost their confidence, or as much as learning new methods for running a game.

GM Academy game flow

Before the game

Establish a good rapport with the GM and the other players. If possible, arrive a few minutes in advance to introduce yourself. Briefly describe your experience as a GM, why you’re interested in this game, and any other pertinent information.

During the game

Over the course of play, the GM may need your support, whether to remember a rule, or to make a difficult decision.

  • Please be patient. Sometimes, the person will only need a moment to resolve the issue on their own.
  • Be indulgent of minor errors. Unless it risks derailing the game, just make a note of it for the post-mortem.
  • Be engaged. If the GM asks for help or a suggestion during the game, be ready to provide it.

After the game

A post-mortem period of 10 to 15 minutes is reserved at the end of the game, that all players are asked to participate in, so please don’t plan something immediately following. We would like each of the players to provide constructive feedback and observations they made during the game. Please avoid vague pleasantries.

Report the challenges that you observed during the game. If there were many, focus on the two or three most important. Explain what you thought the cause may have been and make suggestions on how to handle them in the future.

The GM will listen to you until the end, and then can ask questions or make comments. Please leave enough time for all other players to have their turn, then it can move on to open discussion.