This topic is one that is brought up on the current Misfit Brew EP 21 which debuts my aduio Essay for this Blog. Well that said time to delve into this topic head first. This truly is a sticky wicket when it comes to topics as the ehated debate can at times seem to fly in the face of not only Traditional Gaming But in an individuals prefered gaming style.
I want to preface any comments with the fact that as long as your having fun, you win the game so please remember that we have all kinds of games because we have all kinds of gamers. But I want to take a moment with the gloves off and really look at the topic and try to make no apologies.
First GM Games. These are traditional games for the most part. Some INdie games have a GM of a sot but realistically this is a way of gaming that has been around since RPGs early inception. Now is this a bad way of gaming. By No Means. I would view most GM type games as a More Story Before as a general rule.
These type of games can be fun and they are a fine way of gaming.
Now looking at GMLess Games. These are as a general rule more of a collabrative style games. They tend to mediate GM like powers to each and every player and it is a way for the players themselves to together tell the story the group wants not what one person wants.
This is a very Story Now style game and provides a lot of freedom for players to work their characters in and weave this collabrative narrative. This too is a fine and fun way to play. This is actually the style of game I feel I have grown to wanting personally.
Ok so we see both are fine and fun, so why the big debate? What is the problem between these games? Why does it seem when you mention the idea of removing the GM do people tend to cringe?
Well I think its a control issue. Its a predisposition of a final authority. Its also the fact that there are players who will take advantage of certain powers and piss on everyones fun cause they want to be the God Mode character. Trust me The last guy, Yea Ive gamed iwth him, Often.
Do I believe that a GM is responsible for controlling his Players? NO, with this caveat. If the players are all underage preteen and an adult is running the game. The adult should keep the kids in line and at the table, especially if gmaing in a public locale.
Otherwise The GM should not Have to "Control" the player. The Player him or herself should control themselves. They should play within the rules and should play within character. Do people, sometimes and sometimes not. So I understand in a Social setting sometimes the GM Has to "Control" certain players who want to exploit rules and exploit cheats.
A GM Should know what type of group they have and the group should determine how much control a GM has and together police themselves. And just because one player from an old group would Cheat doesnt mean their current group will. A GM who takes their bias's of negative experience and lay it on a group that isnt that way is Bad GMing.
Thats what I have on this topic. Please let me know where you stand and let me know if you agree or disagree.
And remember No Matter what. Go game!
Mark "Thayan" Reed
1 comment:
Often, the reasons for liking a game with GM from the player point of view are as follows:
1. The player likes deep immersion, which is easier or only possible from single character's PoV.
2. The player simply does not want to make decisions about stuff that is not her character.
3. The player wants to take the character's side in struggle against whatever adversity is thrown against her.
Often (not always) GM-less/GM-ful games are promoted by game masters who want to play and still retain more control than a player is given by traditional rules. The question should not be "Why do people not instantly try and embrace this new thing?". The real question is "Why should content players try a completely different playstyle if they are enjoying the current one?"
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