Should we build for our players?

[the Jester]

IMHO a dm should design the world for their own enjoyment (primarily). A dm who doesn't like the setting won't run a good game, while a dm who does will be at the top of their game- and I'm firmly convinced that a group can enjoy any setting, if the dm works hard at it (and there are no underlying stylistic differences that are too great for the group to work at all).

 

[Psion]

I'd keep some straightforward options open for your players, but build in the elements that you know you need to produce an interesting campaign.

I know that having the richly detailed background ready and available to me is what made my major 1-22 level 3e campaign a success. If I didn't have rich and intriguing background material to draw on, it would have been less fun for the players.

But player's don't always have an interest in getting weird with their characters, hence why I suggest keeping some straightforward character options that they can understand available.