Who is the Ultimate Arbiter: The System, or the GM?

RPGPundit · March 22, 2009, 12:59:53 PM

Let's put the balls to the wall here: which one is it? Do you really believe that the GM should be forced to obey the rules and should have no more right than the players to choose to ignore the rules?

If so, defend that, and show us where the bad White-wolf-GM touched you.

RPGPundit

jgants · March 22, 2009, 01:04:19 PM

In theory, I'm all for the GM-as-god mode.

In practice, players of all stripes love to argue when you don't follow the rules (or at the very least, voice their annoyance), so be prepared to have an upset flock if you play too fast and loose with the rules.

Benoist · March 22, 2009, 01:10:54 PM

Rulings, not rules.
The GM makes the call. Rules are guidelines. Nothing more.

The Shaman · March 22, 2009, 01:31:05 PM

I think the referee should play by the rules as much as possible, to give the players a reasonable opportunity to use system knowledge (as well as character knowledge) to their advantage, but the referee is the ultimate arbiter over how the rules are applied in the game and what rules are used (or not), including house rules.

Aos · March 22, 2009, 01:50:31 PM

The Magic Deer.

RandallS · March 22, 2009, 01:51:20 PM

Rulings, not rules. It's always worked more me as GM -- and barring the rare "killer" GM as a player.

Part of the reason I like it as a player is I'd rather the GM just decide something and continue the game than stop and look it up in the rules and try to apply it to the given situation for 10-15 minutes.

The Shaman · March 22, 2009, 02:32:07 PM

Quote from: Aos;291645The Magic Deer.

For referees who prefer to wear the antler hat.

One Horse Town · March 22, 2009, 02:35:50 PM

Just like published adventures, rulesets rarely survive contact with the play group. It is simply a matter of degree.

Aos · March 22, 2009, 02:36:12 PM

It's the nightie that comes with that hat that really does it for me.

Seanchai · March 22, 2009, 03:15:14 PM

Should the GM follow the rules? Absolutely. In every way. And the rules he or she should be following are the group's rules. In some cases, that will mean following the written rules of the game. In some cases, the GM won't be expected to follow the rules or all the rules. But it's the "social contract" that matters, not the game.

Seanchai

The Shaman · March 22, 2009, 03:20:34 PM

Quote from: Seanchai;291663But it's the "social contract" that matters, not the game.

Would you agree that the game - the system used in play and the rules contained in that system - is part of the social contract as well?

KenHR · March 22, 2009, 03:27:12 PM

Quote from: Seanchai;291663Should the GM follow the rules? Absolutely. In very way. And the rules he or she should be following are the group's rules. In some cases, that will mean following the written rules of the game. In some cases, the GM won't be expected to follow the rules or all the rules. But it's the "social contract" that matters, not the game.

Seanchai

This is pretty much how I look at it.

That said, I tend to prefer simpler games that leave the GM a lot of latitude, but rulings are always open to discussion after a session is over.

Seanchai · March 22, 2009, 03:28:29 PM

Quote from: The Shaman;291664Would you agree that the game - the system used in play and the rules contained in that system - is part of the social contract as well?

I would think so, at least to a degree, as the group is at least tacitly agreeing to play that particular game. I mean, they're all there, around the table, of their own free will, right?

Seanchai

RandallS · March 22, 2009, 03:31:48 PM

Quote from: The Shaman;291664Would you agree that the game - the system used in play and the rules contained in that system - is part of the social contract as well?

It can be, but it doesn't have to be. I have a handout that I give all new players. One of the first things it says about my games is that the GM, not the rulebook, runs the games and that if any of the GM's rulings, house rules, or standard procedures differ from the game's rules, the rules are superseded. Players who do not like this are told they would probably be much happier in another GM's games. (And Rules Lawyers are bluntly told they simply are not welcome.)

PoppySeed45 · March 22, 2009, 03:42:47 PM

Quote from: RandallS;291672It can be, but it doesn't have to be. I have a handout that I give all new players. One of the first things it says about my games is that the GM, not the rulebook, runs the games and that if any of the GM's rulings, house rules, or standard procedures differ from the game's rules, the rules are superseded. Players who do not like this are told they would probably be much happier in another GM's games. (And Rules Lawyers are bluntly told they simply are not welcome.)

I did something like this with a new group I have. I have no idea if anyone cared about it, mind you, but I did send an email outlining my expectations of the as players, and what I promised to do as GM. We had the first session this past Saturday and all went well, though I have no idea if it had anything to do with my little manifesto. Good for me though, no?