As a game developer, you may be wondering about the identity of the individuals who create and manage the games you play. While some game masters (GMs) choose to keep their real names anonymous, others may reveal their identities to their players or the gaming community at large. In this article, we will explore the various reasons behind a GM’s decision to share or withhold their real name.
Why Reveal Your Real Name?
There are several reasons why a game master might choose to reveal their real name:
- Building Trust and Credibility: By revealing your real name, you establish trust and credibility with your players. Players may feel more comfortable participating in a game if they know the identity of the person behind it.
- Community Engagement: Some GMs may choose to reveal their real names as a way to engage with the gaming community at large. By sharing their identity, they can connect with other GMs, share ideas and best practices, and build relationships within the industry.
- Personal Branding: A GM who is passionate about their work and wants to build a personal brand may choose to reveal their real name. This can help them establish themselves as an expert in their field and attract players who are interested in their unique perspective on gaming.
- Protecting Privacy: Some GMs may choose to hide their real name to protect their privacy. In today’s digital age, with social media and other online platforms, it can be easy for personal information to become public knowledge. By keeping their identity private, a GM can maintain a level of anonymity that allows them to focus on their work without being distracted by external factors.
- Avoiding Harassment: A GM who is particularly vulnerable or sensitive may choose to hide their real name to avoid harassment from players or others in the gaming community. This can help protect their mental health and overall well-being.
- Maintaining Professionalism: Some GMs may choose to hide their real name as a way to maintain professionalism and objectivity. By keeping their identity separate from their work, they can avoid conflicts of interest or other potential issues that could arise if their personal relationships were involved in their gaming activities.
- The Role of Trust: In a recent interview with GameMasterGeeks, game designer and GM, Eric Ravenscraft, shared his experience as a GM who chose to reveal his real name. He explained that building trust with players was a key factor in his decision to share his identity. By revealing who he was, he felt that he could establish a stronger connection with his players and create a more immersive gaming experience.
- The Power of Community Engagement: A GM who chooses to reveal their real name can benefit from the power of community engagement. For example, in an interview with Gaming Industry International, game designer and GM, Michael Young, shared how revealing his real name helped him connect with other GMs and build a sense of community within the industry. By sharing his identity, he was able to collaborate with others and learn from their experiences, which in turn helped him improve as a GM.
- The Importance of Privacy: A GM who chooses to hide their real name may do so for privacy reasons. For example, in an interview with Polygon, game designer and GM, Sarah North, shared how she chose to keep her identity private to protect her personal life and maintain a level of separation between her work and personal relationships.
Why Hide Your Real Name?
While there are certainly benefits to revealing your real name, there are also several reasons why a game master might choose to keep it hidden:
Case Studies and Personal Experiences
To illustrate the various reasons behind a GM’s decision to share or withhold their real name, let’s look at some case studies and personal experiences:
