After about a year and a half off from any real GMing, and many years since I've run a full fledged campaign, I find myself in the GM seat for an entire summer of running Star Wars Saga!  This is a great thing, and I'm really enjoying it so far, but, holy crap, I forgot about the work part of the job !

Usually I try to keep a high level of excitement in my games, but this campaign is really challenging my skills.  The players are really REALLY into the game, so there is little tangency table talk.  The rules are streamlined and fast and everyone has a good grasp of them, so there are very little rules discussions.  Basically we are getting a LOT accomplished each game session.  Each session is like 3-4 hours of intense whirlwind activity.  I actually get into my car at the end and take a couple moments to catch my breath before driving off.

I have a really good outline of where I'm going with the campaign, but I'm literally one step ahead of the PCs in actual development.  Each week sees me spending all my geek time prepping the adventure, props, and maps for the coming session.  Sooner or later I'm going to have to improvise an entire session to give myself a little space.

It's funny the amount of "work" we put ourselves through for high quality fun!  No wonder so few people stick with the hobby, and even fewer GMs who are willing to undertake the task.

Its a lot of work to GM (some systems more than others), but I find it more rewarding than playing.

Keep us updated on your campaign and good luck.

I have to admit, as a GM it's pretty useful when the players take a 10 minute break to goof off. There've been times when I've brought up some topic to partially derail the session because I'm tired and we're about to hit the edge of what I've prepped.

Quote from: mearlsI have to admit, as a GM it's pretty useful when the players take a 10 minute break to goof off. There've been times when I've brought up some topic to partially derail the session because I'm tired and we're about to hit the edge of what I've prepped.

Yeah, nothing like having a few extra minutes to improvise something -- either when you've finished with your prep stuff early, or the players just take an unforeseeen left turn.  I've been big into low-prep games for a long time now, because they are so much easier to improvise with.  Even with more flexible prep methods like relationship maps, I often find my players deciding to do something else completely.

I do not do "work"
My games are 100% on the fly, no preplanning. I do not even bother to stat out NPCs anymore. It is too much of a headache in many systems.

If I want a Good challenge for the PC, Use their own sheets stats and add +1 or +2 to a key Stat or Key Skill for the NPC in question. That way the NPC villian is just alittle better than them usually.

Key Villians I let the players know are way above their skill levels in some fashion but I do not tell in which areas.

I try to make at least 1 Mirror Villian for each PC. That is a rivial villian which is exactly like them stat wise and is a twisted version of them personality.

I think SW Saga follows the trend of shorter, faster gaming sessions. Which is generally good. It might be hard to make 12 hours marathon today. And if you must contest with computer game experience, which is also fast and short there is just one way to go.

Quote from: LacrioxusI do not do "work"
My games are 100% on the fly, no preplanning.

I don't work that way.

I CAN and have had to do it in the past, but, I like my extensively written out adventures...even if I never even glance at them in actual play.