GM Merit Badges

Recently a number of gamers created the FLAILSNAILS Conventions to make it easier for players to move their characters between different campaign worlds, and participate in many different GMs games (particularly games being run on Google+).

While I think this is a fantastic idea the game system specifics is only part of the experience of playing an RPG with different GMs. What's arguably more important is the individual GMs approach and philosophy on gaming. It's sometimes hard to figure these things out until you've had a chance to play in their game for a few sessions.

What would be helpful is if GMs let players know not only what we think we do well, but also what our philosophy on Game Mastering is. Knowing two GMs are both running games of D&D is less important (for me anyway) than knowing that one believes in letting the dice fall where they may, while the other believes the dice shouldn't get in the way of telling fun stories with interesting and long-term characters. Even if you'd be happy to play in both games it would be good to know this stuff ahead of time.

Here then is the first release of the GM Merit Badges. You decide for yourself which of these apply to you and can download and post these on your own page, or include them on social media sites (like G+). Even if you don't feel like using the graphics, the categories might help you articulate your approach to new players.

Thanks to Lorc for the original artwork!

 Tactics are an important part of my games

 My games will tell an interesting Story

 My games will be Scary

 My games focuses on Exploration & Mystery

 There will be Player vs Player combat allowed in my games

 My games are Safe and you don't need to worry about content or character death 

 I will Mirror back player ideas I think are interesting in the game

 My games use a pre-made Map and pre scripted content 

 The GM is In Charge in my games and "rule-zero" is in effect

 My games rely on a lot of Improvisation rather than pre scripted content 

 My games are Gonzo and can include a lot of strangeness

 Characters in my games are Destined for greatness, not random death

 I roll Dice in the open and don't fudge the results in my games

 My games include Disturbing content

 My games focus on interesting Characters and Drama 

 Players characters Death is a likely event in my games

 I play By-The-Book and "rule-zero" is not being used to alter existing rules

 My games are more of the Social, Fun and "Beer & Pretzels" style

If you have any suggestions for changes or additions to these Merit Badges, please let me know. Badges like "I am the best" or "I like Cthulhu" aren't really useful - that sort of thing is easy enough to but in your game pitch to players. The Merit Badges aren't about quality or genre - they're about how you approach running a game.

EDIT:  Here is my personal set of GM Merit Badges reflecting how I usually run games

EDIT 2: Based on feedback here is an additional 5 GM Merit Badges

My game is primarily Non-Combat in nature

Players in my game should be prepared to Run when the odds are against them

My game has Shared GMing responsibility with the other players

I frequently Tinker with the rules of the game

My game focuses on Player Skill rather than character abilities

I would add Run, Tinker and Player Skill to my own personal list of Merit Badges.

EDIT 3: One more icon to make a complete set of 24

 My game is more enjoyable when I keep my GMing style Unknown