Dungeon master is not a career option

April 17, 2019

Recently it occured to me that i don't know any professional dungeon masters.

Sure there are professional snooker players, some people make a living streaming videogames and there even pro Magic The Gathering players. Although those last ones are actually overpayed promo boys that work for Wizards of the Coast. But professional DM's i know none of.

Maybe it is because i am not really in that circuit and the last D&D group even kicked me out of their party, because i didn't show up enough.

Maybe Dungeons & Dragons is a hobby that doesn't convert to a real job. Maybe making videogames is also a hobby that doesn't convert to a real job. I don't know. Assuming you will generate an income from your game creations is probably a trap. Afterall web games are like online curated dungeons.

On the other hand, a DM can stream videos of his sessions (with ads and sponsors) or he can write a book with campaigns, but then he is also a video producer or a writer.

Either way you are gonna have to wear a lot of different hats. The question is which hats can be turned upside down to receive money and which hats do you wear at a cocktail party. All you can do is try to make them fit together as best as you can.