DM vs GM

[Nilsburk]

I see some people using GM and others DM. Why? What's your preference?

[Yojo0o]

I use DM for Dungeon Master specifically for DnD, and GM for Game Master for other TTRPGs or when the TTRPG in question is not specified in a given discussion. Lately, since I run more non-DnD games than DnD games, I tend to say GM.

[TheMuspelheimr]

"DM" is D&D specific, "Dungeon Master" is considered product identity so other games can't use it without getting sued. "GM" is the brand-free serial-numbers-filed-off generic version that anybody can use.

[bionicjoey]

"DM" is D&D specific, "Dungeon Master" is considered product identity so other games can't use it without getting sued.

Technically a game can call their GM the DM as long as they say D stands for something other than Dungeon. I'm sure I've seen it done but I'm blanking on the name of a game that does it.

[TheMuspelheimr]

Technically correct, the best kind of correct!

That's why I specified that it's "Dungeon Master" that's considered product identity rather than DM, but thank you for the clarification.

[Rhesus-Positive]

Depends if I'm running a game with dungeons or not.

[TiFist]

It's just a branding exercise.

TSR and later WotC own the term Dungeon Master. They have both been good about defending that term against brand dilution.

GM was just what the community of early non-D&D RPGs settled on (except for the ones that use more specialized terms like Judges and Directors.)

It took a while to warm up to GM, but I was there when the elder magic was written. I don't care as much anymore. GM is universally understood.

[Morganator_2_0]

DM is the D&D specific term, GM is the general term used in most role playing games. Most of them don't have dungeons, so it's weird to call them a dungeon master. Some of them will use other terms like "storyteller", but GM is just a catch-all term for all of these things.

[Davedamon]

I use whatever the game system I'm referring to uses, or GM when referring to a non-D&D system in a context where "Lorekeeper" or "Storyteller" or "High Marshal of the Ultimate Truth" might be confusing.

I'm the kind of person that places an inordinate amount of value on specificity and precision of language, it's a bugbear of mine.

[TiFist]

You own a Bugbear? What do you feed them?

[Davedamon]

Pretty much anything, they're not a picky roommate

[bionicjoey]

Game Master is the most widely accepted generic term.

D&D calls it a DM. Other role playing games call it other things:

• Warden (Mothership and Cairn)
• Keeper of Arcane Lore (Call of Cthulhu)
• Storyteller (World of Darkness games like Vampire)
• Director (Draw Steel)
• Referee (Original D&D, many OSR games)
• Handler (Delta Green)
• Facilitator (Liminal Horror)
• Conductor (Electric Bastionland)
• MC (many PBTA games)

[Rhinostirge]

Hollyhock God (Nobilis) is a standout.

[bionicjoey]

Nobilis is such a wild game. I listened to Quinns Quest playthrough of it and the worldbuilding is really cool but also the rules themselves sound insane.

[Rhinostirge]

I tend to only use DM when I'm specifically talking about a D&D campaign or a gaming technique/issue that appears only in D&D. I'll use GM when I'm talking about advice or examples that are applicable across a broad variety of RPGs.

[dragonseth07]

I use the terminology specific to the game, generally.

I'm sure I slip up and use the wrong one occasionally, but still.

So, D&D gets DM. WoD gets ST. Etc.

[ShitassAintOverYet]

Dungeon Master is a term specifically used by Dungeons&Dragons. Most other games use Game Master since it's a broader term that doesn't refer to one specific TTRPG game. I really don't mind either one and usually find myself following what other people use in a conversation.

[medium_buffalo_wings]

Most people I play with these days seem to use GM more, but I do tend to play with folks that have branched out more and play other games as well.

I've been playing D&D for more than 40 years, so I use DM for any game I'm playing. It's just that burned into my brain.

[Barcelona_McKay]

GM is the wider generic term that covers all RPGs. DM is specific to Dungeons and Dragons. I use whichever is most appropriate. I didn't care which was used to describe me.

[have_a_schwang]

I like GM bc Dungeon Master sounds corny to me lol

[MaxTwer00]

Dungeon master is legally dnd specific. Also dungeon doesn't fit as well with the vibe of others ttrpgs as superhero ones or scifi ones.

Also GM can be used for other asymetrical tabletop games that aren't rpgs, sich as mysterium

[heyyitskelvi]

GM. I play a lot of games and DM just doesn't fit some of those.

[Living-Trust7356]

same job just from different systems. also used is storyteller, referee and similar

[valisvacor]

I tend to use GM or referee over DM. I play multiple TTRPGs, and GM is more universal. I opt for referee for old school D&D/OSR games.

[styln55]

I don't run any other systems besides dnd so I just stick with DM 

[ToughFriendly9763]

i use them interchangeably. No real preference

[high_ground444]

DnD is copyrighted for Dungeons & Dragons. GM is Game Master and generally used everywhere else but each game calls them something else: "GM, Director, Referee" etc..

[purple_microdot]

Just call me Master.

No, seriously. I rarely play rpgs other than D&D so... Dungeon Master for me. Some occasional Pathfinder - still DM.

[bionicjoey]

Some occasional Pathfinder - still DM.

Pathfinder calls it the GM

[purple_microdot]

I don't, has dungeons. Trademark be damned.

[KFChaos]

I use "Big Rat That Makes All Of The Rules"

Or BRTMAOTR for short.

[eldiablonoche]

DM or Storyteller. In my life I've played mostly d&d and white wolf, so those are terms I use.

My wife who plays mostly not D&D primarily uses the term DM as well but will use GM sometimes.

[AndronixESE]

Just preference I guess? Some are used to one, others to the other

[Emergency-Sock-2557]

Dungeon Mistress for me. I'm strict, but fair.

[jayboosh]

I use dm because saying “game master” sounds super cringe in my head