GM Macleods Presents: Here’s what it takes to recruit celebrities into your actual play

The third season of GM Macleods Presents LOADED DICE ROLLERS kicks off on Thursday at 7pm PST and will be loaded with RPG celebrities.

Peter Adkison, who owns GenCon and created Wizards of the Coast, plays Pathfinder 2e for the first time in the show.

We’re also expecting to see Satine Phoenix and Jamison Stone, Ginny Loveday, McClain Nelson, Adam Johnson, Jean Simonet, Jon Irons, Traci Stumph, K Beau Foster and David Air on camera.

More? Yes, there will also be guest appearances from Juliet Landau from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bioshock, and plenty of other geeky hits, as well as Carlos Alazaraqui from Reno 911, Looney Tunes, Planes and Rocko’s Modern Life.

It certainly helps that the talent in GM Macleods Presents is based in Hollywood and have directing, producing and acting experience.

What does it take to recruit celebrities into your actual play, though?

I put the question to GM Macleods and got some tips!

How do you recruit celebrities into your game?

#1 It’s all about being prepared and having fun. 

I recommend you have the best game in town:> For me, I run extraordinary homebrews because sadly I’ve had too many players read modules that we were playing:< So its Story, Sets, and NPCs are my strength. Lights, Camera, Action!

#2 Use contacts. 

I’m a small-time movie producer, and my wife was on Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a small recurring role, but that gives us enough juice to ask just about anyone.  

#3 Develop a deck that points out your strengths! 

Why should anyone want to play with you? What is in it for them?  

#4 Ask a lot of people. 

You’ll get 5 no’s for every yes. Some people just don’t get what RPG is, and that’s cool, but you never know till you ask. 

#5 Positioning.

I tell all guests that you don’t have to know the game. On your turn, tell me what you want to do and I’ll tell you what to roll. Since I’m busy firing off music and SFX live and delivering stories, I turned to a rules oriented pal and made him the “Rules God” so he can help track down feats or obscure spells if needed. This keeps it 100% professional and moving.

Also, I prep the guests’ characters, but I ask a few key questions about their background, so they get attached to their creation. *right now, about 50 episodes of our 150 have guest stars, and this has never failed! 

#6 Touch up on the group’s improv skills.

Being a “yes… and” keeps it super fun, asking the guest their opinion or having players ask the guest to do things. For example, Player 1 “Normally I’d get the door, but I’ll let you…” This forces your guest into gameplay.  

#7 Always have a few ways out for your guests.

Create a few ideas about how they can leave your adventuring party. It sometimes takes a totally different direction, but at least you are prepared.  

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• YouTube: GM Macleods Presents
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