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<blockquote data-quote="Snarf Zagyg" data-source="post: 9282403" data-attributes="member: 7023840">See, I disagree completely with that statement.Being a fan of the players is an idea that first arose in the context of a particular game (James Bond 007) in the '80s, was intrinsic in some narrative-y styles that arose in the 90s, and truly gained currency with, inter alia, PbTA and its derivatives.However, the idea itself arose as a reaction to the concept of the neutral and impartial referee.* Now, whether or not you want to say that this is making &quot;explicit&quot; what some people were doing, or as a counterweight to either neutral or adversarial methods of play, is fine- but this is a codification of a style of play that not everyone and every game share.Moreover, there are those that feel that this is anathema, simply for the reason that having the GM be a fan of the players reduces the agency of the players. I'm not saying that this is right or wrong, but it's certainly a strain of thought I've encountered with some players.So I have to disagree with this. Being a fan of the players is a particular style, and it's not the same thing.ETA- to make sure I'm clear, there is absolutely NOTHING WRONG with this style, and many games require it (and many tables enjoy it). But saying that this is an absolute requirement for all GMs, of all games, at all tables, is just wrong.*Leave aside that some games, and some tables, have a conception of an adversarial GM.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Snarf Zagyg, post: 9282403, member: 7023840"] See, I disagree completely with that statement. Being a fan of the players is an idea that first arose in the context of a particular game (James Bond 007) in the '80s, was intrinsic in some narrative-y styles that arose in the 90s, and truly gained currency with, inter alia, PbTA and its derivatives. However, the idea itself arose as a reaction to the concept of the neutral and impartial referee.* Now, whether or not you want to say that this is making "explicit" what some people were doing, or as a counterweight to either neutral or adversarial methods of play, is fine- but this is a codification of a style of play that not everyone and every game share. Moreover, there are those that feel that this is anathema, simply for the reason that having the GM be a fan of the players reduces the agency of the players. I'm not saying that this is right or wrong, but it's certainly a strain of thought I've encountered with some players. So I have to disagree with this. Being a fan of the players is a particular style, and it's not the same thing. ETA- to make sure I'm clear, there is absolutely NOTHING WRONG with this style, and many games require it (and many tables enjoy it). But saying that this is an absolute requirement for all GMs, of all games, at all tables, is just wrong. *Leave aside that some games, and some tables, have a conception of an adversarial GM. [/QUOTE]

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