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Message: <blockquote data-quote="pemerton" data-source="post: 7407326" data-attributes="member: 42582">I am taking it here that "I" refers not to the real person Maxperson, but to Maxperson's PC in a RPG. Otherwise the example makes no sense, because being hidden backstory is a (relational) property of RPG fiction, not a property of things in the world.Continuing from above, the word "I" here must refer to the PC. Discussion of whether or not, in the fiction, a PC controls his/her choices is largely irrelevant to analysing the play of a RPG. The play of a RPG is not an imaginary thing that is undertaken by imaginary people (unless you're playing a RPG about RPGers) - it is a real activity undertaken by real people.Now, instead of talking about the PC, you are talking about the player. And you provide no argument.If a player's action declaration for his/her PC fails because the GM adjudicates it by reference to some unrevealed element of framing, then it is the GM, not the player, who in that particular episode of play is exercising control over the content of the fiction. Eg the GM has determined that it shall consist of an invisible forcefield, and hence shall not include any jumpings over ditches.I've never said anything about what the GM does or doesn't want. I've talked about who is exercising control over the content of the fiction.In your example, it is not the player who decided that jumping the ditch could not succeed. Nor did the action resolution mechanics determine that. The GM determined that by way of an authorship process in which the player did not participate. Which is to say, the GM exercised control.I would say - the chance for success does not depend upon the player. And that is exactly for the reason that you give. (Which I've bolded.)I also think that "desire" doesn't factor into it. A GM who is a stickler for never departing from his/her notes might regret that the forcefield is there, because it gets in the way of engaging play here and now. Nevertheless it would be the GM's decision that is controlling the outcome.</blockquote>

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