ChatGPT as an Assistant Dungeon Master
As a Dungeon Master, there’s nothing quite like the thrill—and challenge—of running a living, evolving campaign. For me, one of the best tools I’ve found for campaign prep isn’t a published adventure or a fancy piece of software—it’s ChatGPT. Specifically, I’ve been using the Projects feature in ChatGPT-4 to help me keep my notes organized, brainstorm encounters, and even recap sessions in a way that feels cohesive and fresh.
Here’s how it works.
The Projects feature (currently part of ChatGPT Plus) lets you upload your campaign documents—things like setting notes, session logs, faction breakdowns, and character summaries. Instead of starting from scratch every time you open a chat, you have a persistent workspace that “remembers” your campaign’s details. It’s become my digital co-DM: one that I can ask to recap what happened last session, generate encounter ideas, or remind me of a rival faction’s goals when I’m in the middle of prepping a new adventure.
The real magic for me? It’s the way it adapts to my style of DMing. My campaign setting—the Guardians of Getica world—has dozens of settlements, factions, and timelines (including a time travel arc!). Uploading all those notes means that ChatGPT can weave that context into everything it suggests. Need an encounter in a mountain pass? It knows the flavor of that region. Wondering what happened after a big reveal in session four? It can give me a spoiler-free recap or detailed timeline, depending on what I ask for.
And it’s not just at my desk. I’ve been experimenting with using ChatGPT’s voice integration while I’m out riding my bike or taking a walk—just talking through what worked last session and what didn’t. It’s like having a patient, tireless collaborator who keeps me focused and inspired.
Of course, this isn’t a replacement for my own creativity. I’m still the one weaving the narrative and making final decisions. But ChatGPT has become an invaluable organizational tool—like an external brain that helps me track the ever-growing tangle of storylines and details in a long campaign.
Want to see exactly how I set it up and how it works in practice? Check out the full video above. I walk through my workflow, including uploading files, using the SRD 5.2 to build encounters, and how I handle player-driven plot twists with the help of this AI co-DM.
Are you using AI tools in your own games? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear how you’re integrating them—because in the end, it’s all about finding what makes your table (and your story) work best.
Cheers,
Brian