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A Weekend of Gaming, Friendship, and Leadership Development

Last month, twelve of my friends gathered for MartyCon 2024. This weekend gaming extravaganza transcended mere entertainment to become an immersive experience in camaraderie and even leadership development. MartyCon, named in honor of its founder Marty, brought together enthusiasts of various games for a weekend of epic adventures.

What was MartyCon?

Attendees were spoiled for choice with a diverse array of gaming sessions to participate in. There was something for everyone. From classic RPGs in the vein of Dungeons & Dragons to intricate miniature battles set in fantastical worlds. Attendees had the freedom to pick and choose which games they wanted to partake in. Giving each participant an experience tailored to their interests and time commitment.

What made the MartyCon weekend truly special was the blend of competitive and collaborative games. In one session, players found themselves thrust into a game where each had secret objectives. This forced them to form alliances, make calculated moves, and pursue objectives with limited information. The dynamic nature of this game fostered intense strategizing and negotiation among players, leading to memorable moments of triumph and betrayal.

Serious strategizing.

Another session involved players trying to escape a mining planet in the midst of a revolt. Although the games master used the horror RPG Those Dark Places, he also had us all out of our seats hunting the grounds of our accommodation. Hidden QR codes then led us towards building lego models under extreme time pressure. Failure meant our characters would be left to rot on a hostile planet. Interestingly, no one took the lead. Instead, with a clear goal in mind (escaping the planet), the participants all worked together seamlessly to build our escape craft.

A different game was based in Dolmenwood a fantasy world based on the folklore of the British Isles. One of the things that made this game so unique was the lethality of the system. Characters could die with ease. After a near death experience at the hands of an ogre the players started to work more closely together. Utilizing skills and tactics to uncover the mystery and defeat the big bad and his zombie pets. (That’s a story for another time).

MartyCon, a Blueprint for Leadership Development?

The parallels between the gaming experience at MartyCon and leadership development are striking. Much like in a leadership scenario, participants had to navigate complex social dynamics, forge alliances, and make decisions with incomplete information. Of course, the game where players had secret objectives particularly mirrored real-life leadership challenges. Where individuals must balance their own objectives with the needs of the group.

Imagine a day where different game types could be utilized to cultivate various leadership skills. Picture networking with your leadership cohort, immersing yourselves in different gaming scenarios, and using each experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. Through gaming, participants could sharpen their communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills—essential qualities for effective leadership.

Moreover, the MartyCon weekend provided a platform for attendees to build meaningful connections with their peers. Just as in a professional setting, collaboration and teamwork were essential for success in many of the games. Participants had the chance to work together, strategize, and celebrate victories as a cohesive unit. Ultimately, these shared experiences fostered bonds that transcended the gaming table, laying the foundation for lasting friendships and professional relationships.

Ambush, betrayal? All of the above!

Final Thoughts on the MartyCon Weekend

Traditional methods of leadership development often rely on lectures and simulations, but MartyCon demonstrates the power of experiential learning through gaming. By immersing participants in dynamic, challenging scenarios, gaming can serve as a catalyst for personal and professional growth.

As MartyCon 2024 came to a close, attendees departed with fond memories of epic battles, thrilling adventures, and new friendships. Yet, perhaps more importantly, they left with valuable lessons in leadership, collaboration, and adaptability. MartyCon stands as a testament to the transformative potential of gaming—a realm where fantasy and reality converge, and where leaders are forged through adventure.

Massive thanks to everyone who organized, ran games and participated. I cant wait for MartyCon 2025!

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Applying ‘Extreme Ownership’ Helps You Run Powerful Roleplaying Games

Extreme Ownership book

In the world of roleplaying games (RPGs), the principles of leadership and ownership might seem like an odd fit. However, delving into Jocko Willink’s book, “Extreme Ownership,” reveals surprising parallels between military leadership and the realm of dungeons, dragons, and storytelling. Let’s explore three key takeaways from Extreme Ownership and how they can be seamlessly applied to running roleplaying games.

Takeaway 1: Own the Narrative – You Are the Dungeon Master (DM):

In the world of RPGs, the Dungeon Master is the linchpin, crafting the narrative, embodying non-player characters (NPCs), and creating the world in which the players immerse themselves. Extreme Ownership emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of every aspect of a mission, and similarly, a DM must own the narrative of the campaign.

As a DM, take responsibility for the pacing, the atmosphere, and the engagement of your players. If the story isn’t resonating, or if players seem disengaged, it’s on the DM to adjust and adapt. This ownership ensures that the players have an immersive and enjoyable experience.

This doesn’t mean that you have to keep a draconian grip on the game. That would ruin the fun for everyone. Instead taking ownership of the experience at the table, engaging players and running with their ideas will keep them returning to your game over and over again.

Takeaway 2: Prioritize and Execute – Managing Campaign Dynamics:

“Prioritize and Execute” is a mantra from Extreme Ownership that stresses the importance of focusing on the most critical tasks first. In the context of RPGs, this translates into effective campaign management. Whether it’s planning encounters, developing plotlines, or managing in-game time, a DM must prioritize elements that enhance the overall experience.

Avoid getting bogged down in minor details at the expense of the overarching narrative. By prioritizing and executing key campaign elements, a DM can ensure a well-paced and engaging story that captivates the players.

This aspect of Extreme Ownership really helped me as a leaders and as a DM. I had a habit of over planning my campaigns, which while fun was very time consuming. By prioritizing certain elements of my planning and keeping bullet points for villains, locations and motivations I could run games with more flexibility and have more time doing other things.

Prioritize and Execute – some more definition

Takeaway 3: Decentralized Command – Empower Your Players:

Extreme Ownership emphasizes the concept of decentralized command, empowering individuals at all levels to make decisions that contribute to the overall mission. Translating this to RPGs means empowering your players to contribute to the storytelling process.

Encourage players to take ownership of their characters’ stories, giving them agency in shaping the narrative. This not only enhances player engagement but also lightens the DM’s load, fostering a collaborative storytelling experience. When players feel a sense of ownership over their characters and the unfolding narrative, the game becomes more dynamic and enjoyable for everyone involved.

From the perspective of RPGs, I think this could be the most important element. I love to foster collaborative storytelling with my players. Often this means that campaigns can move into unexpected territory. But it is always fun. Remember Takeaway 1 above. Taking ownership of the experience at the table means that if everyone is having fun you are winning. Therefore, a campaign moving in a direction you hadn’t considered is a massive win.

This approach has led to my players and me jointly creating and playing multiple generations of campaigns in our shared world of Salkire. This rich tapestry of gameplay over years of real time play would not be possible without this collaborative decentralized command of the story.

Final thoughts on Extreme Ownership

Jocko Willink’s “Extreme Ownership” offers a unique lens through which to view the art of running roleplaying games. By applying the principles of ownership, prioritization, and empowerment, Dungeon Masters can elevate their campaigns to new heights. Just as a military leader takes charge of a mission, a skilled Dungeon Master takes charge of the narrative. Always creating an immersive and unforgettable experience for players. So, the next time you sit behind the screen, remember the words of Jocko Willink and take extreme ownership of your roleplaying adventure.