DMs of the World Unite...

So, having decided to have a blog, there then came the difficulty of the first post. However, I would like to share some thoughts on the emerging industry of the 'professional' Dungeon Master/Games Master and how we as a community build that in an ethical way.

I started my TTRPG journey in the late 90s, playing Vampire the Masquerade with my oh-so-edgy friends. The Storyteller was whoever happened to have the book, and this was very much the way for other systems. Someone might buy a new game and be excited to play - so they would tend to run the game. Alternatively, as part of an experienced group in my university days DMing duties would be spread amongst those who were willing to have a go.

With the rise of Actual Play shows - Critical Role, Dimension 20 and so on, and the greater popularity of DnD in particular there has been a greater appetite for new people to join the game. Fantastic stuff and for many who don't know anyone with a suitable mix of experience and patience, the paid DM has become a more common option. I have recently entered this world, and was engaged to run games of Dungeons and Dragons at a nearby castle. Through this I started 'Spooks and Swords' which I use to run games online. Usually for tips.

DMing has traditionally be unpaid labour, but also with relatively low cost from the DM themselves. You might buy the book, and time will be spent planning the game, drawing maps etc But you get to play with your friends and there has been for many years the agreement that the DM isn't the one who brings the snacks. For many games the bargain remains the same, although the subscription model of D&D beyond means that DMs are expected to invest in online resources as well as paying a premium subscription fee to allow players to share those resources. This places an increasing financial expectation on DMs that is potentially greater than the amount of pizza and pretzels they are likely to consume during a session. There is also the increasing expectation that DMs will provide terrain and miniatures. With the increasing accessibility of 3D printing this means that everyone can now have their own pirate ship, or terrifying mimic, without stopping to think about whether we want or need this additional plastic in our hobby - already fairly plastic heavy with the dice addictions that every player eventually develops.

For paid DMs, many, like myself, have been doing this as a sideline. It is cool and fun to be asked to run DnD in a castle. I'm not proud but this was enough to have me do it for below minimum wage for a while. Of course, as the event grew, DMs started to look to renegotiate the remuneration. I was shocked to see these requests shocked with accusations of 'unprofessionalism' (the old 'we don't talk about money' chestnut') from other DMs as well as the suggestion that the motivation of 'love of the game' should trump any desire for filthy lucre. This was the point where I had to have a bit of a word with myself and no longer work for that company.

I realise at this point I'm coming across as a bit holier than thou. Which I don't mean to. However, I do think that when we as DMs move away from Pizza to PayPal we need to think about how the wages we accept are setting expectations that others will work for below acceptable wages. The point of a minimum wage is to allow people to survive on the work they do (skimming massively over the question of minimum vs living wages, obviously). If we believe that work should be remunerated fairly then that has to apply to DMs as much as baristas, and it is up to us the community to start creating those standards and expectations.

During the recent SAG-AFTRA strikes in America - Brennan Lee Mulligan proudly took his place on the picket lines as a fellow performer. I'm not aware of any DMs who have joined Equity (I looked into it), but that may be a start. For players I would simply suggest when you attend events ask if the DMs are being paid minimum wage - if they aren't - well that's something to think about.