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41-729: The Epic Level Handbook contains rules for characters to attain levels above 20, the highest level covered by the rules in the Player's Handbook and Dungeon Master's Guide , the core rule-books for the game. It provides epic-level progression information for all the core classes , the prestige classes from the Dungeon Master's Guide , and the psionic classes from the Psionics Handbook . It also provides new epic-level prestige classes, magical items, variant rules, monsters and "Epic Spells", all of which follow somewhat different rules than

82-465: A moderator or administrator . In MUD game masters were called " wizards ." Gamemastering in the form found in traditional role-playing games has also been used in semi-automatic virtual worlds. However, human moderation was sometimes considered unfair or out of context in an otherwise automated world. As online games expanded, gamemaster duties expanded to include being a customer service representative for an online community . A gamemaster in such

123-408: A broad category of action games, referring to a variety of games that are driven by the physical actions of player characters. The term dates back to the golden age of arcade video games in the early 1980s, when the terms "action games" and "character games" began being used to distinguish a new emerging genre of character-driven action games from the space shoot 'em ups that had previously dominated

164-424: A communication structure is needed for both diegetic or non-diegetic communication. Effective gamemastering can require specialized user interfaces that are highly game specific. Certain sourcebooks simulate the decisions of a gamemaster by various means for either group or solo gaming. These include works such as Mythic Game Master Emulator, which employs an oracle system to allow players to play TTRPGs without

205-737: A game is either an experienced volunteer player or an employee of the game's publisher. They enforce the game's rules by banishing spammers, player killers , cheaters, and hackers and by solving players' problems by providing general customer service. For their tasks they use special tools and characters that allow them to do things like teleport to players, summon items, and browse logs that record players' activities. World of Warcraft has employees of Blizzard Entertainment that serve as gamemasters to help users with various problems in gameplay, chat, and other things like account and billing issues. A gamemaster in this game will communicate with players through chat that has blue text and they will also have

246-488: A larger number of player characters to choose from, with some basic moves available to all or most characters and some unique moves only available to one or a few characters. Having many distinctive characters to play as and against, all possessing different moves and abilities, is necessary to create a larger gameplay variety in such games. Similarly to MOBAs, hero shooters emphasize pre-designed "hero" characters with distinctive abilities and weapons that are not available to

287-417: A player are called non-player characters (NPCs). The actions of non-player characters are typically handled by the game itself in video games, or according to rules followed by a gamemaster refereeing tabletop role-playing games . The player character functions as a fictional, alternate body for the player controlling the character. Video games typically have one player character for each person playing

328-413: A player typically creates or takes on the identity of a character that may have nothing in common with the player. The character is often of a certain (usually fictional) race and class (such as zombie , berserker , rifleman , elf , or cleric ), each with strengths and weaknesses. The attributes of the characters (such as magic and fighting ability) are given as numerical values which can be increased as

369-685: A side-scrolling playfield. Examples include beat 'em ups like Kung-Fu Master and Double Dragon , ninja action games like The Legend of Kage and Shinobi , scrolling platformers like Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog , and run and gun shooters like Rolling Thunder and Gunstar Heroes . "Character action games" is also a term used for 3D hack and slash games modelled after Devil May Cry , which represent an evolution of arcade character action games. Other examples of this sub-genre include Ninja Gaiden , God of War , and Bayonetta . Fighting games typically have

410-500: A special "GM" tag and Blizzard logo in front of their names. RuneScape has more than 500 moderators employed by Jagex to assist players and perform administrative duties in-game and on the site forums. These Jagex Moderators , as they are called, usually have the word "Mod" and a gold crown preceding their account names which ordinary players are not permitted to use. The game also has Player Moderators and Forum Moderators who are player volunteers helping with moderation, having

451-442: A trajectory desired by the game author. To ensure proper gamemastering can take place, four components are needed: some kind of sensory system to the game allowing the game masters to know current events, providing dynamic game information; dynamic and static game information lets game masters make informed decisions; decisions need to be actuated into the game, either through the game system or through manual intervention; and finally

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492-403: Is a person who acts as a facilitator, organizer, officiant regarding rules, arbitrator, and moderator for a multiplayer role-playing game . The act performed by a gamemaster is sometimes referred to as "gamemastering" or simply "GM-ing." The role of a GM in a traditional tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) is to weave together the other participants' player-characters' (PCs) stories, control

533-490: Is a playable character in a video game available only after either completing the game or meeting another requirement. In some video games, characters that are not secret but appear only as non-player characters like bosses or enemies become playable characters after completing certain requirements, or sometimes cheating . Gamemaster A gamemaster ( GM ; also known as game master , game manager , game moderator , referee , storyteller , or master of ceremonies )

574-460: Is somewhat common in first-person videogames, such as in Myst , but is more often done in strategy video games such as Dune 2000 , Emperor: Battle for Dune , and Command & Conquer series. In such games, the only real indication that the player has a character (instead of an omnipresent status), is from the cutscenes during which the character is being given a mission briefing or debriefing;

615-613: The Epic Level Handbook , the third edition did not make it easy to play powerful characters, especially compared to prior editions. Another reviewer commented that the book "addresses how to keep the Dungeons & Dragons system functioning after 20th level. Due to the nature of the system, many conventions of the system such as save and attack bonus conventions do not work as well if extrapolated out past 20th level." James Voelpel from mania.com commented: "A landmark book from Wizards of

656-465: The arcades in the late 1970s. Classic examples of character action games from that period include maze games like Pac-Man , platformers like Donkey Kong , and Frogger . Side-scrolling character action games (also called "side-scrolling action games" or "side-scrollers") are a broad category of character action games that were popular from the mid-1980s to the 1990s, which involve player characters defeating large groups of weaker enemies along

697-538: The improvisational script is built, as well as all the bit parts and supporting characters . Gamemasters can also be in charge of RPG board games making the events and setting challenges. GMs may choose to run a game based on a published game world , with the maps and history already in place; such game worlds often have pre-written adventures. Alternatively, the GM may build their own world and script their own adventures . In early virtual worlds , gamemasters served as

738-557: The non-player characters (NPCs), describe or create environments in which the PCs can interact, and solve any player disputes. This basic role is the same in almost all traditional TTRPGs, with minor differences specific to differing rule sets. However, in some indie role-playing games , the GM role significantly differs from the traditional pattern. For example, in Powered by the Apocalypse systems,

779-418: The 1980s. In typical play-by-mail games, players control armies or civilizations and mail their chosen actions to the GM. The GM then mails the updated game state to all players on a regular basis. Usage in a wargaming context includes Guidon Games 1973 ruleset, Ironclad . The gamemaster prepares the game session for the players and the characters they play (known as player characters or PCs), describes

820-437: The Apocalypse games they are called a variety of names, such as MCs (master of ceremonies). GMs are typically hobbyists; however, they are sometimes paid employees or entertainers for hire. This is more common for online games. Paid GMing was very uncommon for TTRPGs before the 2020s. In a role-playing game context, the term gamemaster was first used by Dave Arneson while developing his game Blackmoor in 1971, although

861-524: The Coast, the Epic Level Handbook not only helps dungeon masters run high level games but encourages smart players to strive for it's [ sic ] unlimited greatness." Viktor Coble listed Epic Level Handbook as #6 on CBR 's 2021 "D&D: 10 Best Supplemental Handbooks" list, stating that "It offers a wide scope of ways to engage extremely powerful characters and build them, and it even gives options beyond experience points for progressing and growing

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902-791: The Keeper of Arcane Lore (in the occult -themed Call of Cthulhu ), the Hollyhock God ( Nobilis , in which the hollyhock represents vanity), the Groundskeeper (in the spooky Bluebeard's Bride ), the Mall Rat (in Visigoths vs. Mall Goths ), or the Gaymaster (in LGBTQ -centered Thirsty Sword Lesbians ). The term gamemaster and the role associated with it have been used in the postal gaming hobby since

943-507: The Online Gaming Forum had only one real requirement (that is, be a member of AOL), OGFs were given powers quite similar to AOL "Guides" and could use them at will to discipline users as they saw appropriate. Battleground Europe , a medium-sized MMOFPS , has a team of Game Moderators , anonymous volunteers who moderate the game. Miniconomy , a smaller text-based MMO , has a team of Federals , experienced players that help moderate

984-706: The Three Deaths and You're Out variant rules are all contained. The Epic Level Handbook was designed by Andy Collins and Bruce R. Cordell , and published in July 2002. The cover art is by Arnie Swekel , with interior art by Daren Bader, Brom , David Day , Brian Despain , Larry Dixon , Michael Dutton, Jeff Easley , Lars Grant-West , Rebecca Guay , Jeremy Jarvis , Alton Lawson, Todd Lockwood , David Martin , Raven Mimura , Matthew Mitchell , Vinod Rams , Wayne Reynolds , Darrell Riche, Richard Sardinha , Marc Sasso, Mark Smylie , Arnie Swekel, and Anthony Waters . Collins

1025-661: The ability to mute (block from chatting) other players who violate rules. In Helldivers 2 , a third-person shooter by Arrowhead Game Studios , a singular employee, named Joel Hakalax, functions as a game master for the playerbase. The game features many real-time events where territory is gained or lost, which are determined at the discretion of the game master. The now defunct America Online Online Gaming Forum used to use volunteers selected by applications from its user base. These people were simply referred to as OGFs by other members, and their screennames were indicative of their position (i.e., OGF Moose, etc.). While membership in

1066-436: The characters. It helps scale the world around these outrageously strong characters and can even be used to help curb some munchkin behavior." Player characters A player character (also known as a playable character or PC ) is a fictional character in a video game or tabletop role-playing game whose actions are controlled by a player rather than the rules of the game. The characters that are not controlled by

1107-414: The events taking place and decides on the outcomes of players' decisions. The gamemaster also keeps track of non-player characters (NPCs) and random encounters , as well as of the general state of the game world. The game session (or " adventure ") can be metaphorically described as a play , in which the players are the lead actors, and the GM provides the stage , the scenery , the basic plot on which

1148-500: The first usage in print may have been Chivalry & Sorcery . Each gaming system has its own name for the role of the gamemaster, such as "judge," "narrator," "referee," "director," or "storyteller," and these terms not only describe the role of the GM in general but also help define how the game is intended to be run. For example, the most famous of such terms, the " Dungeon Master " (or "DM") in Dungeons & Dragons , highlights

1189-481: The game and interactions. Transformice , an online multiplayer platformer, has a team of volunteer moderators called Mods who are experienced players that help moderate the game and interactions. ARMA 3 , an open-world military tactical shooter, has a Zeus role that allows any player slotted in that role to place down almost any asset in the game including infantry and vehicles, objectives, intelligence, and score-keeping modules. The Zeus can also modify aspects of

1230-556: The game play style different. Characters can learn new abilities or augment existing ones over the course of a match by collecting experience points. Choosing a character who complements the player's teammates and counters their opponents opens up a strategy before the beginning of the match itself. Playable characters blend a variety of fantasy tropes, featuring numerous references to popular culture and mythology . In both tabletop role playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons and role-playing video games such as Final Fantasy ,

1271-482: The game's focus on dungeon crawling . The Storyteller System used in White Wolf Game Studio 's storytelling games calls its GM the "storyteller," while the rules - and setting -focused Marvel Super Heroes role-playing game calls its GM the "judge." The cartoon inspired role-playing game Toon calls its GM the "animator." Some games apply flavorful names to the GM to fit the genre or setting, such as

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1312-451: The game. Some games, such as multiplayer online battle arena , hero shooter , and fighting games , offer a group of player characters for the player to choose from, allowing the player to control one of them at a time. Where more than one player character is available, the characters may have distinctive abilities and differing styles of play. A player character may sometimes be based on a real person, especially in sports games that use

1353-413: The gamer progresses and gains rank and experience points through accomplishing goals or fighting enemies. In many sports games , player characters are often modelled after real-life athletes , as opposed to fictional characters. This is particularly the case for sports simulation games , whereas many arcade-style sports games often have fictional characters instead. A secret or unlockable character

1394-536: The names and likenesses of real athletes. Historical figures and leaders may sometimes appear as characters too, particularly in strategy or empire building games such as in Sid Meier 's Civilization series. Such a player character is more properly an avatar as the player character's name and image typically have little bearing on the game itself. Avatars are also commonly seen in casino game simulations. In many video games, and especially first-person shooters ,

1435-420: The other characters. Hero shooters strongly encourage teamwork between players on a team, guiding players to select effective combinations of hero characters and coordinate the use of hero abilities during a match. Multiplayer online battle arena games offer a large group of viable player characters for the player to choose from, each of which having distinctive abilities, strengths, and weaknesses to make

1476-539: The other players assist the GM in creating both the NPCs and the details of the campaign setting . The role of a gamemaster in an online game is to enforce the game's rules and provide general customer service. Gaming systems have their own names for the role of the GM. For example, in Dungeons & Dragons , they are called dungeon masters , in the World of Darkness games, they are called storytellers, and in Powered by

1517-425: The player character is a "blank slate" without any notable characteristics or even backstory . Pac-Man , Crono from Chrono Trigger , Link from The Legend of Zelda , Chell from Portal , and Claude from Grand Theft Auto III are examples of such characters. These characters are generally silent protagonists . Some games will go even further, never showing or naming the player character at all. This

1558-508: The player is usually addressed as "general", "commander", or another military rank. In gaming culture, such a character was called Ageless, Faceless, Gender-Neutral, Culturally Ambiguous Adventure Person, abbreviated as AFGNCAAP; a term that originated in Zork: Grand Inquisitor where it is used satirically to refer to the player. Character action games (also called character-driven games, character games or just action games) are

1599-399: The standard game. The variant rules for this book are contained on pages 110–111, which include Open-Ended Rolls; Death from Massive Damage (change with a new feat option as well); Extended "Death's Door" (adds your character level * −1 onto your Dying HP when above level 20); Spell Resistance for Time Stop; NPC Challenge Ratings (Fix for Epic Levels); Epic Luck (1 per day reroll of a roll); and

1640-411: The world itself including time, weather, and wildlife to create dynamically progressing stories. Neverwinter Nights and Vampire: The Masquerade – Redemption are video game adaptations of tabletop role-playing games that are played online with one player acting as a traditional gamemaster. Gamemastering, sometimes referred to as Orchestration is used in pervasive games to guide players along

1681-518: Was the first designer scheduled for the book, and handled the core of the rules, while Cordell handled the epic spellcasting and epic monsters. The book was updated for the 3.5 edition via an update document available from the Wizards of the Coast website. The 4th Edition covers this in an alternate manner with continuous 1-30 level progress. Wizards of the Coast covered the topic in their 2009 conference. The reviewer from Pyramid commented that before

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