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Message: <blockquote data-quote="evilbob" data-source="post: 6212783" data-attributes="member: 9789">What an interesting question!Speaking only of my own experience, I would agree with your initial supposition:  as we (as players) get older and more mature, and as tabletop gaming ages and matures as well, the power of arbitration has moved steadily away from the GM and toward the players.  I think all parties have been happy about this:  players get more engaged in games in which they have a personal stake, and GMs appreciate the delegation and assistance with various details.As for why, I think this is partially based on newer rulesets (which are also designed by designers who are getting older), but also because - as a general rule, often excepted - I think people tend to be more empathetic and "share" easier as they get older.  I feel like am a better GM now because I impose myself on my players less than I used to (or at least, I hope I do!).  Also, the number of people I game with has slowly dwindled down to the people I enjoy hanging out with anyway.  These are people I trust and love, and most of them have worn the GM hat from time to time and we all understand the perspective of the GM and the player.  We also sort of know each others' strengths when it comes to gaming, and so when I suggest something - as a GM or a player - that pertains to something they know I'm usually good about, they're willing to trust me.  I can say the same for them.So you have higher levels of trust, better people, more experience, and a higher level of willingness to share in the responsibility of creating amazing experiences spread amongst the group.  You've also got newer games designed to better facilitate this mode of play.  All of this leads - in my opinion - not to a loss of GM "power," so to speak, but rather a greater collaboration amongst the group when creating interesting experiences.  And unless you happen to game with some kind of creative savant, it's been my experience that collaboration makes telling a story better.</blockquote>

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