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Feb. 8th, 2004 10:10 pmThis stuff's been bubbling in my head for a while. A few days ago, I decided that I might as well write it up since I wasn't getting anything else written. I should note that I'm pretty much talking about tabletop games because that's where the bulk of my experience is. I suspect that this stuff generalizes to other types of games, but my experience is mostly tabletop and LARP. And the LARPs I run work differently because they're one shots in which I've designed everything and then have to step back and let go. I don't interact with the players that much in the process of running the game.
( My philosophy of GMing )
And just to forestall some questions-- Yes, I do see some parallels between my description of the GM's role and certain other types of interactions. I simply thought that, if I started by stating that comparison, I'd lose some people before they looked at my logic. You might also consider a final point-- Part of the pleasure of role playing for most players is simulating experiences that would be very unpleasant in reality. The GM mediates the experience and is the one person who can't (well, shouldn't) submerge fully in any role without endangering the game.
( My philosophy of GMing )
And just to forestall some questions-- Yes, I do see some parallels between my description of the GM's role and certain other types of interactions. I simply thought that, if I started by stating that comparison, I'd lose some people before they looked at my logic. You might also consider a final point-- Part of the pleasure of role playing for most players is simulating experiences that would be very unpleasant in reality. The GM mediates the experience and is the one person who can't (well, shouldn't) submerge fully in any role without endangering the game.
