Talk:Ben's Gaming Maniphilosophesto
--Gdaze 15:10, 28 October 2009 (MST) You are very trusting of players.
Edmiao in that you think the players will try to deliberately derail the game, or inadventently will derail the game?
BEN: since tone of voice is not transmitted on the wiki, I'm assuming Gabe is being sarcastic...? And that Ed is seconding that opinion...?
I would hope players wouldn't deliberately derail the game...it's essentially impossible to prevent and you might as well just play a series of one shots or switch games if they do do it. as far as inadvertently...I guess I would answer that as long as everyone has the story as their central concern, a derail should be largely impossible, since if the players are acting consistently then they are just making their contribution to the story.
I would say that in champions I was not trusting of players at all. I was very controlling. I would also say, however, that I have been very trusting of players in OAAAA: but perhaps you disagree?
--Gdaze 16:33, 28 October 2009 (MST) No. I just think characters actually do like to try to upset the game. And on the page you said that the GM should trust the players. Too much control is bad, but is also needed. Not all players of course, but sometimes, some people are just like fuck this, lets blow everything up. Or, lets see how I can make things harder.
Which I guess could add to story. GM to me could mean Guide Master.
BEN: oh, I agree completely. I would argue that I have been, in fact, TOO trusting of players in OAAAA. But I'm not going to wax (in)eloquent about that right now, since I'm trying to avoid specifics. But yes, you are totally right, and that's why I say that player trust of the GM is the most important thing: if the GM doesn't get buy in for some authority (and some resultant authoritarianism), he/she can't do his/her job of stewarding the story.
JASON: Characters never upset or try to upset the game. Only players can do that. A character by its very nature does not know it is part of a game. Players on the other hand are humans pretending, and therefore can be petty, whiny, jokey or any of a million other eys that can be very disruptive.
--Gdaze 23:34, 28 October 2009 (MST) [1] Now I do hope the sarcasim is coming through in that.
I don't think you've been too trusting of players in OAAAA. You tend to like to have NPCs that shine more then the players. In OAAAA we are suppose to become EPIC, right? And we haven't actually done too much to derail anything. Least far as I can tell. I mean we meta trying to influence the world, but that was kinda the point. OAAA does have a lot of power though for the players. I'm actually pleased it has gone so well with all the power. Like take my guy, yeah he does a shit ton of damage, but he can be taken out pretty easily. Heck, Dieter even got head shot'd! And like you even told me "This orc won't learn magic" so I was like, okay, but might as well train him for something else. I do like the "Just so you know" info bits, they help move the game along.
BEN: hmmm, the NPC observation is interesting, and probably valid...but then again, do players prefer every NPC to be a mook? I guess when I play I like to meet NPCs that impress me, or even ones that I love to hate. Also, I like to have NPCs that challenge me. But I certainly agree that I like to make exciting, and occassionally powerful, NPCs.
