Forced to GM rather than Play!

each time i try to join a group, everything starts of great. I get a couple of guidelines, exchange some rpg materials, spend 3 to 5 hrs on character creation, exchange a couple of communication and then, when everything is ready to go .....NOTHING! ....i mean, not a peep, no messages, you just get ignored. this happens every time i apply to join a group and it is the most basic reason why i have been GM'ing the past 6 months. Now my mental bucket is filled to the rim and about to spill with rage. ...is there no common decency anymore, am i the only 'Non-Douche-Nozzle-GM'??? Guess what i'm asking here is this: Try to be a little more considerate to potential new players, especially if you have already asked them to invest a couple of hours of their time to create a character for your game. Its deeply frustrating to invest so much time into something only to get ignored - im sure you can relate if the situation was reverse. ...of course, the same holds true if you are a player, don't just drop out without any word (...cuz i've seen that far too much too), show a little respect. it goes a long way to make everybodioes Roll20 experience a pleasant one.

GMing requires work and creativity which many don't want to do... It's almost impossible to get into a game now since there are many times more players then GMs...

I do understand that, but that is hardly an explaination, nor an excuse, for the rude inconveniences players and gm's inflict upon oneanother. it isn't at all difficult to give your gm notice if you are dropping out. likewise, if you are already negotiating a player to fill a slot, it's nothing short of common courtesy, to keep that slot from being filled by someone else until you are absolutely certain the player you promised it too isn't showing up anymore. so you see, my problem is one of inconvenience caused by a failiure to observe constructive etiquette. for example; if a player informs me he will be dropping out, i wont suddenly be a player short, i'll have the time to seek a new player to fill the position, before it becomes an inconvenience. Likewise, if a GM tells me ahead of time he can't guarentee me a slot, i probably won't even bother wasting my time reading any required material or build a character untill that slot CAN be guarenteed. ergo - this is how a little respect and polite manners can prevent a lot of inconvenience.

The best thing you can do is communicate with your players/GMs as much as possible, and get a feel for how disciplined they are about the game. Are they punctual? Are they clear about attendance and notifications about attendance? Do they respond promptly to PMs or other messages? Generally, I find that players who are punctual and prompt communicators will stay for the long haul. I try to come off as very strict about punctuality before sign-ups. I'd rather scare away lazy players than have to filter through them after the game starts by dropping them and then adding more players. For those players out there who are having a hard time finding a game, stay diligent. Be punctual, be prepared, and communicate promptly and clearly as best you can. You'll be an asset to any GM.

This thread is off-topic for our site. We only permit discussion that is specific to Roll20 (which you can read about in our Code of Conduct ). Since this is a general RPG discussion, you'd be better served posting it on a general RPG site, like reddit.com/r/rpg.