The Game Master is a Player Too

Being behind the screen doesn’t mean being outside the game. Here’s why it matters to treat your Game Master like part of the party, and how to do it.

When we gather around the table (physical or virtual), it’s easy to fall into habits. The Game Master (GM) becomes the scheduler, the rulebook explainer, the snack provider, the storyteller, the villain, and the judge. And while all those roles might be technically true, they tend to add up to a quiet lie: that the GM isn’t playing.

Let’s fix that.

Because here’s the truth we often forget: the GM is a player too.

Why That Distinction Matters

TTRPGs live and breathe on collaboration. They aren’t performances. They’re shared, improvisational acts of storytelling. And while the GM may be guiding the arc, embodying NPCs, or steering momentum, they’re still participating. They’re still playing.

But too often, the GM role absorbs disproportionate responsibility:

• Coordinating schedules

• Buying books, dice, minis

• Learning (and re-teaching) the rules

• Hosting, organizing, refereeing

• Carrying the emotional weight of tone, story, and group dynamics

What starts as “guiding the game” soon becomes like managing a small kingdom or, more often, herding cats.

If the GM feels like they’re carrying the campaign alone, burnout isn’t far behind.

The Burnout Nobody Talks About

Here’s how it happens:

Players show up late, ask the same questions every week, get distracted, and say things like, “I just want to be told a story tonight,” as if this were a show instead of a shared creative act.

And for a while, the GM might carry on. Out of love. Out of duty. But eventually, that burden builds into frustration or fatigue. When GMs feel unappreciated or excluded from the fun, some double down on rules. Others vanish quietly. Neither is good.

This isn’t a plea for pity. It’s a reminder of reciprocity.

Good Games Are Everyone’s Job

Let’s flip the script. If you’re a player (and yes, GMs are too), you share responsibility for the game’s health. You help make the magic happen.

Want to support your GM and have more fun doing it? Here are a few ways to start:

• Respect the Schedule: Every session missed chips away at momentum and morale. Honor the time your group sets aside together.

• Share the Load: Offer to host. Bring snacks. Track initiative. Small contributions ripple outward.

• Know Your Character: You don’t need to memorize every rule, but knowing your class abilities or spell effects goes a long way.

• Stay Present: When the GM introduces a story hook or your backstory comes into play, engage. Resist the phone scroll. Lean in.

• Debrief Together: After a session, take five minutes to unpack. Share your favorite moments. Validate the emotional beats. GMs need aftercare too, especially after intense scenes.

• Support Each Other: Notice when fellow players are struggling. Check in. The game world thrives when the real-world table feels safe.

Reclaiming the Joy of Shared Play

A great campaign isn’t a performance by one person. It’s a mosaic of contributions: character arcs, wild choices, botched rolls, dramatic monologues, and yes, occasional rules confusion.

Everything runs smoother when the GM is seen, supported, and valued as a player in this shared story. The prep becomes lighter. The play becomes richer. And everyone leaves the table energized instead of drained.

So next time you sit down to play, remember: your GM isn’t your adversary, narrator, or group therapist.

They’re your fellow player. Treat them like one.

And hey, maybe hug your GM today. (With consent, of course.)

TL;DR

The GM is a player too, and deserves to feel like one.

• Don’t treat them like the entertainment.

• Respect their time and energy.

• Share the emotional and logistical load.

• Make the game collaborative, not one-sided.

When everyone at the table contributes, the story gets better for everyone.

FAQ

Q: Isn’t the GM supposed to be in charge?

A: They guide the world, but they’re not the boss. It’s a shared story, not a top-down production.

Q: What if the GM likes having full control?

A: That’s valid! But even the most plot-heavy campaigns benefit when players meet the GM halfway with attention and effort.

Q: Can GMs be players in someone else’s game?

A: Absolutely. In fact, we recommend it. It’s a great way to recharge and rediscover the fun without the weight.

Q: What if my GM seems tired or withdrawn?

A: Ask. Gently. And see how the group can help carry the load, be it logistically or emotionally. A kind word or shared task can go a long way.