The Versatile GM (part 1)

If you are a Game Master (GM) and play RPG's with others, you probably have experienced a few different types of gaming groups. There are different styles of GMing necessary for each type of group, and if the players are going to have fun, it is up to the GM to figure out how to adjust to and manage the players. If a GM doesn't know his players' preferred gaming style, conflict and boredom can derail a gaming session quickly. The GM has to be extremely flexible and be ready to wear a variety of “hats” in order to accommodate the preferences of his gaming group. It is likely that conflict will arise if a player's style is not being considered, because a player's boredom often results in that player becoming a volatile maverick in the gaming session. A bored player might try to “spice things up” by random acts of destruction or by having his character behave in an overly aggressive or inappropriate way. However, entire groups of players sometimes enjoy being incredibly destructive in a scenario—it may not be the result of player boredom. If this is the case, the GM has two options: he can either shift his focus to providing over-the-top combat opportunities as if the players are in a Michael Bay movie, or he can try to discipline his players with dire consequences in the game for their crazy behavior with the hope of getting them refocused and back on track. Ultimately, though, the GM should prioritize player fun over his desire to follow his plans for the adventure—otherwise, there might not be any players around for the next gaming session.