Once you have decided what game you want to run, the next step is to get players. This is one of the most important stages for a GM and often the one given the least amount of time and thought.

There are two main areas of concern:- 1) getting enough players and 2) getting the right players. Getting enough players is not usually a problem providing there is sufficient information, presented in an interesting fashion. To sustain the game for both GM interest and player interest, a GM should ensure he has the right players and that means giving potential players a clear idea of his expectations. This will help to ensure that players with similar styles will apply for the game, which will work out much better for all concerned.

To ensure that you achieve this, here are some lists of options you might want to consider because as the GM, you have to provide =all= the information so that the players know enough to make the right decision.

Getting Enough Players
  1. Put time and thought into a teaser. This does not just tell the players what the game is about but gives them a real feel for atmosphere and GM writing style. A good teaser also shows GM commitment for the game, underlying the effort he is likely to put into it. And the teaser should do what its name suggests.. and tease players into wanting to know more.
  2. Post the teaser (or first teaser) as your first introduction to the game. Asking for interest in a certain type of game is OK.. but posting a good teaser tells the player you are serious about running this game.
  3. Accompanying the teaser, ideally in a separate area of the post beneath the teaser, the GM should include =all= relevant details of the game: genre, game system, edition of system, section of DreamLyrics it will be played in etc.
  4. Tell people how you want them to respond. Options include private messages, email, the teaser thread or in the new forum on a particular thread.
  5. Try to give players an idea of the sort of characters that you might be looking for. Include race, skill sets, location, type.. anything that will fire the imagination of the players and have them reaching for their keyboard to type up ideas.
  6. It is important that players can envisage your game world, not just the type of characters that might exist there, but also information about terrain, climate, government, laws, customs, time period, geography, published game world.. details to make the game world come alive.
  7. Timeframe. It is a good idea to give an idea of when recruiting will take place, when the game is due to start etc. And it is important to stick to the times given, or at least to give new ones if circumstances change. Deadlines for character submissions are usually good.. and these should be reasonable initially and adhered to, otherwise those that have made the effort are kept waiting by those that haven't.
Getting the right players
  1. The recruitment method should be decided at the start and specified. Consider different methods of recruitment as follows:

    - first come, first served (disadvantage of mixing styles, posting rates/advantage of getting the game started more quickly)

    - by selection (similar to the above, reducing both disadvantage and advantage)

    - by invitation (should ensure players with similar styles which is important for long term game sustainability but will take longer, it can also miss out players that would be good for the game but that the GM is unaware of)

    - by audition (best method for ensuring the right players, open to all but will take longer and has a danger that some people will not want to put effort into writing a piece that may not be successful)
  2. It is almost essential for a GM to give certain information about his expectations to ensure that he gets the players that will sustain his interest in the game and have a happy crew that will play well together. That information should include:

    - posting rate, specified as a minimum (and maybe maximum) number of posts per day or per week.

    - length of posts on average, specified as number of lines or paragraphs that are expected as the normal standard.

    - any style of post that the GM prefers ie character name at the top, no signatures etc (Yes I know I'm guilty of the latter! wink )
  3. Make it very clear what you expect from the player in terms of character submission. You might want to start by asking for a detailed decsription of the character, a short paragraph giving the concept or a full blown character with complete history.. though you should define how detailed you expect that history to be. At the same time character creation methods and guidance should be given.
  4. Style of game is also important to finding the right players. This could be described as an interactive character game, action game, heavily plot driven, fast paced etc. Also an idea of whether the players will be in a large group, small group or one-on-one with the GM.
  5. Be clear as to whether your players can be inexperienced with gaming generally or this genre in particular. State what books you will be using if applicable and whether the players will require a copy.
  6. Be sure to start clearly the starting requirement for a character. Please remember to say what characters you don't want, such as low level, high level, powerful, weak, certain types.
And best of luck for a successful game! grin