The GM is Not There to Entertain You

[doctorbadwolf]

A lot of people don't want meta currency and other similar tools in their game because they are immersion killers.

Okay. They don’t have to use them?

 

[Reynard]

Okay. They don’t have to use them?

Then why assert that DMs should play indie games to learn those techniques?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Then why assert that DMs should play indie games to learn those techniques?

Because there was a whole list of techniques, which wasn’t even an exhaustive list, and you not liking some of the line items doesn’t negate the usefulness of learning other systems to steal from them.

Nothing I said implied that a DM has to use any given technique, so why are you coming at me as if I set forth some sort of list of rules for DMing?

 

[Reynard]

Because there was a whole list of techniques, which wasn’t even an exhaustive list, and you not liking some of the line items doesn’t negate the usefulness of learning other systems to steal from them.

Nothing I said implied that a DM has to use any given technique, so why are you coming at me as if I set forth some sort of list of rules for DMing?

I think we are misunderstanding each other. I was just stating a rebuttal to the idea that DMs "should" do a thing. I wasn't trying to say they shouldn't ever do that thing. Things like meta currency and player world building don't necessarily fit with traditional RPGs like D&D, especially for immersion focused players. Rather than DMs incorporating those elements into D&D I think groups should play some of those other games and see if they fit better, rather than trying to "fix" trad games with intrusive non-trad elements.

In any case, I did not intend to "come at you" and apologize if that's how I came off.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I think we are misunderstanding each other. I was just stating a rebuttal to the idea that DMs "should" do a thing. I wasn't trying to say they shouldn't ever do that thing. Things like meta currency and player world building don't necessarily fit with traditional RPGs like D&D, especially for immersion focused players. Rather than DMs incorporating those elements into D&D I think groups should play some of those other games and see if they fit better, rather than trying to "fix" trad games with intrusive non-trad elements.

In any case, I did not intend to "come at you" and apologize if that's how I came off.

I didn’t say that DMs should incorporate any given idea. I said they should try other games, and consider what they can use to enhance their own game.

I think the DM who literally cannot find anything of use in any other system is…unlikely to exist.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I find this to be a poorly posed question.

I think everyone at the table shares responsibility for fun for everyone at the table. I think the GM has a lot of responsibility, as they hold a lot of the creative power and control of flow at the table - with that power comes responsibility. But the players do also hold responsibility for their own fun, as well as the fun of others at the table, each in their measure.

RPGs are collaborative endeavors, so everyone's got at least some responsibility for the outcome.




I think of myself as a service-oriented GM. I am there to present a game for the players. I am there for them, not the other way around. So, I take significant responsibility for presenting a game the players are apt to like.

I wonder if this last bit is what the OP was getting at. Is it necessary to be a "service-oriented DM", where your job is to give the players what they want?

 

[Umbran]

Is it necessary to be a "service-oriented DM", where your job is to give the players what they want?

Few things are truly necessary. Like, you know, air, food, water, and such. So, again, I find the question poorly posed.

I respond then, with a pair of questions, the answers to which are surely subjective - Why not be service oriented? And, if not, is what the group gains worth what it loses?

 

[pemerton]

A lot of people don't want meta currency and other similar tools in their game because they are immersion killers.

OK. There are plenty of indie games that don't use metacurrency. The best-known is probably Apocalypse World.

 

[MGibster]

Eh, I'll take a strong stance here. I think a GM should try to play a variety of games, even ones with rules he or she don't think sound appealing. Hell, I think players should also try to play a variety of games.

 

[payn]

Eh, I'll take a strong stance here. I think a GM should try to play a variety of games, even ones with rules he or she don't think sound appealing. Hell, I think players should also try to play a variety of games.

"You can't knock it until you rock it" is what I always say. I have played plenty of games I dont care for that either gave me good experience as a GM/player or good mechanics to yoink.