There's a major problem with the three strikes rule. If a player cheats and is caught by other players one time in five, and the GMs only notice every other time another player notices, the problem player can cheat 5 x 2 x 3 = 30 times before getting a last chance to pull his ass out of the fire.
Having a formal system for dealing with player problems forces you to adhere to it, as well. If a player does something heinous enough to merit immediate kicking-out, they can call you on not holding up to your discipline policy, and cause problems for you.
Here's a good discipline policy to publish in your game manual:
"The GMs reserve the right to eject you from game for any duration - even permanently - if you cheat or if your behavior is disruptive."
That way you can eject them immediately if you have to, or give them a "warning" if that's what they deserve. You can even write unpublished guidelines for how to deal with it, but never show the players more than the aforementioned rule.
That's a very good point, and one that I keep forgetting.
I'm so determined to make everything "fair" that I forget that there's different levels of bad behaviour in a game, and not everything needs to be dealt with in the same manner.
I'm not entirely sure what exact sorts of problems you are having with your players, so I will have to give a general comment about players & ST relations.
Players shouldn't feel threatened or scared of their STs, but should know that if they give ya lip you're not afraid to tell them so and that you do have the power to moderate the game in whatever way you so chose to make it fun for you and them. Three strikes sounds more than fair for your moderation.
There is a way for them to give constructive feedback? I've found the surveys have worked rather well. Some of my players don't fill it out every time - and it is another paper cost *shrugs*. However, more players have been lately and I hold a monthly players meeting (along with 2 narrator meetings each month).
What sort of questions do you aks on the survey? Are they anonymous, or up front?
We did a survey once after a game that took two weeks of prep time and cost quite a bit of money. Every one we got back sang the event's praises to the moon.
The ones we didn't get back were from the people who hated it.
*sigh*
Oh well. What sorts of things do you discuss at player meetings?
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Having a formal system for dealing with player problems forces you to adhere to it, as well. If a player does something heinous enough to merit immediate kicking-out, they can call you on not holding up to your discipline policy, and cause problems for you.
Here's a good discipline policy to publish in your game manual:
"The GMs reserve the right to eject you from game for any duration - even permanently - if you cheat or if your behavior is disruptive."
That way you can eject them immediately if you have to, or give them a "warning" if that's what they deserve. You can even write unpublished guidelines for how to deal with it, but never show the players more than the aforementioned rule.
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I'm so determined to make everything "fair" that I forget that there's different levels of bad behaviour in a game, and not everything needs to be dealt with in the same manner.
*grin* Thanks!
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Players shouldn't feel threatened or scared of their STs, but should know that if they give ya lip you're not afraid to tell them so and that you do have the power to moderate the game in whatever way you so chose to make it fun for you and them. Three strikes sounds more than fair for your moderation.
There is a way for them to give constructive feedback? I've found the surveys have worked rather well. Some of my players don't fill it out every time - and it is another paper cost *shrugs*. However, more players have been lately and I hold a monthly players meeting (along with 2 narrator meetings each month).
Hope that helps?
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We did a survey once after a game that took two weeks of prep time and cost quite a bit of money. Every one we got back sang the event's praises to the moon.
The ones we didn't get back were from the people who hated it.
*sigh*
Oh well. What sorts of things do you discuss at player meetings?
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