GM Ratings System

[Black Jack Rackham]

Over on the Gen Con Forums Board there's been a lot of discussion about GM Ratings. Heck yours truly even threw in his own two cents. But I'm not completely sold on the idea. I can see it being useful for some and a method of punishment for the disgruntled. So what do you all think?

[Sister Sonya]

Just some friendly advice: know who the people are in such forums before you assign value to what they may say.

[Black Jack Rackham]

Just some friendly advice: know who the people are in such forums before you assign value to what they may say.

Mike at this very moment you and I could not agree more!

[salamanca]

Terrible idea if it is going to be implemented with player surveys. Guys like us with a regular player base of people we consider friends will be inflated. A guy who has a couple of bad players that derail his game can end up with a reputation he never deserves. If it's done at all, it would need an independent reviewing team of observers who had been vetted and trained to identify quality performance. WHICH is the second and third problem. #2: there would never be enough people to serve as a judging comittee and assign these grades. #3: each game has different aspects that require different techniques and styles. NOW THE BIGGEST ISSUE: It will turn into an elitist power trip and lead to very boorish behavior for both players that insist on wrecking highly ranked GMs and Elite GMs that start getting away with abusing players because of what their number is. I remember back when the RPGA was big on player rankings in the late 80's and had players at my table insist I was wrong because they won a best player over the number 4 guy. I do not ever want to hear it again. It's petty. Feel free to paste any of this that supports your claims.

[salamanca]

For the sake of argument... What are their standards?. Are we ranking long term.campaign plotting?. If so, Mark is the best 7th sea GM in the world. Are we ranking by ability to create interesting action scenes and speedy conflict resolution?. Because then Thwak is the best. Are we judging metaplot integration and single session creative adventures? That would make Dana the best in the world. Does it score for integrating player backgrounds into main storyllnes?. That is Floyd's specialty and none of us come close to his level on that. Are we scoring for improvisation and reaction to player choices?. That's my bread and butter. Are we just going to vote based on "did you have fun at the table?". Because the only way I like that system is if I get to pick who you played with before you sat down with me. (and nobody is going to want to follow anybody I mentioned).

[Sister Sonya]

Dave, I certainly can concur, having been a player in games run by all of your GMs!

[salamanca]

And before anybody rates friendly and cooperative with player's needs, that makes Jason Haskins from Matinee Adventures the best 7th Sea GM. But thanks for the complement, Mike. I appreciate it.