How the fee works
You set your own session price. When a player books and pays, StartPlaying automatically deducts 15% before the remainder is paid out to you. You never handle the fee directly. it's taken out of the player's payment before it reaches your account.
There are no upfront costs, subscription fees, or sign-up charges. You only pay the 15% when a session is booked and completed.
What's included in the 15%
Access to Players
Thousands of players visit StartPlaying every week actively searching for games. The fee helps fund the paid advertising (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) and SEO that drives those players to the platform and to your listings.
There are no upfront costs or subscription fees. You only pay the 15% when a player books a paid session with you.
Booking & Scheduling Admin
StartPlaying handles automated session reminders to players, scheduling management, and calendar tooling. You focus on running the game; the platform handles the logistics around it.
Payment Processing & Fraud Protection
All payments are processed securely through Stripe. The platform handles:
Payment collection from players (charged 1 hour after session start)
Dispute resolution if a player challenges a charge
Fraud prevention on both sides of the transaction
Detailed transaction reports for your records
📌 Note: Taking payment outside of StartPlaying for games listed on the platform is a violation of our Terms of Service.
Review System
StartPlaying's review system lets players leave verified reviews on your profile. These reviews are what unlock visibility in GM Search and build your reputation on the platform over time.
Platform Advertising
Your game listing can be included in StartPlaying's Facebook and Instagram product catalog ads, at no extra cost, as long as it meets the following requirements:
Listing is set to Public
Instant Book is turned on
At least 3 sessions are scheduled
Cover image is a .jpeg under 1MB
Beyond these ads, StartPlaying markets the platform broadly to drive new players to the site. Individual game promotion beyond the product catalog ads is the GM's responsibility.
Player Messaging
GMs can message players directly through the platform, individually or as a group, from the Adventure's Edit page. No need for a separate tool to coordinate with your table.
Human Support Team
The fee also helps fund our Support Goblin team, available Monday–Friday, 9AM–6PM EST via email.
They handle disputes, edge cases, and anything The Crystal Ball can't resolve on its own.
What the 15% does NOT cover
Campaign management tools (notes, loot tracking, character sheets)
Phone support
Guaranteed player matches or booking volume
StartPlaying is a marketplace and payment platform. It provides the infrastructure and the player pipeline, not a full campaign suite.
Is the 15% worth it if I already manage my own bookings?
That depends on how much value you place on player acquisition. If you already have a full roster and a reliable way to find new players, the main benefit is the platform's payment protection and the built-in review system.
If you're still growing your player base, the platform's traffic and advertising is often the bigger draw.
For questions specific to your situation, our team is happy to chat! See "How Do I Contact Support?"