To make games and life in the Dreamscape more fun, established hosts, players and sponsors have contributed their experiences to help others get the most out of hosting games. The following are suggestions, not rules.
We hope they help you!
- Your fellow avatars

1. Know your game program or your game.

• Know your game before you try to host it. Attend the same game hosted by others and learn how they host. Don't be afraid to ask hosts questions after their game has ended.
• Some games do not need a program. If this is so, make sure players are informed of how you run the game.
• If a program is available for your game, get it and use it. Links to programs and plug-ins are available at the Community Center.
• Practice, practice, practice with your program!!! Learn how to do everything, including recover.
• Do practice rounds of your game with friends. If you don't do this your wonderful new game could become a bad experience for you and others.
• Ask for help if you need it. Most hosts and programmers will be glad to help you get the most out of your game. They also appreciate feedback on how their games work.

• Rules are set by the host, and are needed to help the game go smoothly.
• Set your rules and follow them. Do not make up new rules during the game or change the rules, even for friends.
• Have a web page with your rules if possible, and link the page to your avatar, the main schedule, and game locale.
• When posting your rules, include the following: How to play the game, how the game is scored (if a score is needed), how ties will be broken, define what "cheating" is in your game if needed, time limits (if any), and any special behavior guidelines you wish your players to follow.
• Many games also need the host to run a macro, explaining the main rules and some of the same items your web page would explain. If you don't use a rules web page, you should use a macro.
• Make your macro short and to the point.
• Macro the rules only at the beginning of the game, and as requested during the game. During the game it's easier to refer players to your web site if you have one, as it keeps the game moving.

• Having a co-host/assistant is recommended and is essential on major event weekends.
• The goal of a co-host is to help keep the game running smoothly and help the host in any way possible.
• A co-host should know the rules of the game and perhaps even own a copy of the game program to back you up in case of emergency.
• Co-hosts may not host games, using Acolyte prizes, unless they too are a sponsored host.
• Co-host (or assistants) can help players with questions about the game, run door prize programs, hold and hand out prizes, record names of winners, and either write down or save text to preserve point totals during the game-in case the program fails to do so (this is suggested when the game has a monthly prize).
• Co-host may be able to play the game, if it does not hurt their ability to co-host, or raise suspicion of cheating. Some co-host play the game, but only play for fun and do not accept prizes if they win.
• Co-host can also help with security in private turfs. See below for more information.

a. It's recommended that you host your game in a public locale whenever possible, but if the nature of your game requires a turf, keep these things in mind:

• Give your game turf a short, memorable name without crazy characters in it. Don't place too many objects in the turf: More objects means more lag for your players.
• Keep your prizes in a special turf created just for that purpose, with ONLY you and your sponsor on the lease.
• Do not place prize items on the ground or in boxes/containers which may be opened by anybody in the room.
• If there is a disturbance during the game remember in your turf you have the ability to utilize your turf controls to remove the disruptive individual.
• If you need to eject an avatar from your turf make sure your co-host knows so they may watch for the return of this avatar and continue ejecting them while you continue with the game.

• BY ALL MEANS, HOST IN A PUBLIC LOCALE. It will keep our world alive and healthy, as well as attracting new players to your game!
• Do not host in locales other avatars need to use in Kymer. This includes ATM, Pawn, Elevator, Teleporter or Vendo locales.
• Be careful in your choice of locales, as some avatars enjoy being in certain locales often, and might object to using that locale for a game. Be familiar with a locale and the avatars who use it a lot before choosing the locale.
• If an avatar makes a disturbance ask them politely in ESP to stop what they are doing. Some avatars will not realize they were causing a problem, and you save them embarrassment by helping them privately.
• If an avatar wants to create a disturbance they probably will unghost at some point. Most disrupting avatars only want attention. Save pertinent text and take a screen shot of the offending behavior, then use the ignore function and advise others in the locale to do so as well. This may be enough to cause the disrupter to just go away.
• You or your co-host may also page an acolyte for help, using the help menu.

• Be on time or ahead of time for your game, and start promptly. When you have a game or event on the schedule you have made a promise to the other avatars. Keep that promise.
• If you cannot host your game try to inform others ahead of time that you will not be there.
• Keep a professional image. You and your co-host must keep the language clean.
• Keep the game moving as quickly as possible: avoid running long lists of players when possible (specially if your program sends confirmations), don't run scores until it is necessary, and refer questions to your co-host.
• Keep movement and animation to a minimum. Do your best to eliminate lag that is under your control.
• Thank those who help you (including your sponsor) at the beginning and end of the game.
• If you must deal with problems during the game do it in ESP, and involve your co-host. There is no need to embarrass your players over simple misunderstandings or damage the fun for your other players if there is a real problem.
• If there is a legitimate problem inform the person with the issue that you will talk with them after the game is over if the problem cannot be solved quickly and by your stated rules.
• Receiving criticism and suggestions from your players comes along with hosting. Be prepared to be criticized, and listen to your players- sometimes a criticism can turn into a great idea to improve your game, and if your players are not having fun they won't return.
• Accept that some avatars will not be gracious losers, and will have complaints that you can do nothing about. Be polite, and offer to talk to them after the game if you wish, but do not let them shake you up during your game.
• Keep in mind that you are doing a great thing for other avatars by hosting a game for their enjoyment (and yours too). Don't take criticisms personally.