I like to GM and I like to play. I GM much more often, though, because I am always up to trying new systems or settings and just set up a one-shot or campaign, or simply get some ideas that I just need to play. But I am always happy when a friend decides to GM. The good thing when you are often GM: there usually is a lot for me when others do.

I'll get to play EotE next month and I am pretty stoked. Of course, I will GM three Star Wars campaigns/one-shots, too, so the ratio is 1 to 3.

Heh, seems this thread turned into a "how many of you GM's like to play" instead

Which is basically a more positive variant of my question. It teaches me to be more possitive I guess!

I enjoy both very much. I love putting together a story and letting my players experience it and figure out what's going on, but some weeks it's great not to have to do any prep and just sit down as a player instead.

In the end, gaming is gaming, and I'm just glad to have such an awesome hobby!

When I started playing white box D&D circa 1976, I was a player, and the guy who ran it impressed upon me the difficulties one encounters as a GM. Nevertheless, I stepped up to the plate, and by the time Metamorphosis Alpha came out, and then Traveller, I became quite the hog of the GM duties.

Fast forward to today, and while I still run 90+% of what our group plays, more than ever I enjoy a chance to sit on the other side of the screen. Not only do I get to enjoy the challenge of immersing myself into the actions of one single character, but I also enjoy deciphering the "intricate" plots my players-turned-GMs try to throw my way. Even as a player, I like to keep everyone on their toes.

I actually generally prefer to be the GM because it allows me to play a lot more than the player characters

I tend to have tons of ideas for different characters, but as a player you usually only get to play one at a time!

While it's definitely also nice to watch your character's development over time, I often get bored with a character long before 'reaching my goals'.

As a GM I get to create characters at all stages of development and don't even have to observe all of the rules - awesome!

The only disappointment is when I've designed a really cool npc but for some reason the pcs aren't interested in interacting with her... ah, well.

I've only played. I planned to GM but it just didn't happen. I still want to GM but my group has been scattered by school. All of the other players went off to uni. Just the GM and I are left. He says he was planning for that to happen so we're going to be playing a solo campaign going forward.

When the other players return for breaks, I plan to GM for them. They'll use their same characters and my dad / the current GM will join as a player using an NPC that we've had lots of dealings with, spec'd out to be similar in ability to the other characters, as his PC. He'll help me with GM;ing duties, though.

tl;dr I'll know the answer to this soon, I think!

While i rarely get to play, when i do, i try to help out the GM as much as possible by offering suggestions for interesting threat and despair results. At least for this system, I get excited about telling a story, and if i think up an interesting despair result, even if it affects me, I'll put it forth.

What you're suggesting here is actually encouraged by the rulebook. Interpreting the dice results is collaborative, and thank heavens - because sometimes those dice come up with crazy results!

For most of my playing days I've been a GM but I do enjoy being able to cut loose and let somebody else play the universe while I concentrate on being just one little speck in it. I often GM or platoon GM duties or just take over as GM because I like coming up with cool stories.