QuoteWhere and when do you draw the line, and how should you (as GM) intervene?

I think before the players sit down to start playing the game, they need to have reached an agreement on what the scope of action characters in the game can perform.  This could be stated explicitly in the rulebook, or it could be something the players discuss and agree on.

This will be very different in a game of: D&D, Vampire, Nobilis, Marvel Superheroes, Ghost Busters, etc. etc.  It will also be different if you're gaming with 10 year olds, 30 year olds, "the guys", a tournament, etc etc

I think it's a judgement call, and it depends on the circumstances.  What works for me and my group might not work for yours.

But I think the rulebook should
* explicitly state what's out of scope -or-
* recommend the group discusses this before playing
as well as saying
* the final call is with the GM -but-
* a good GM listens to the rest of the group and tries to make sure everyone is having a good time

Quote from: StuartI think before the players sit down to start playing the game, they need to have reached an agreement on what the scope of action characters in the game can perform.  This could be stated explicitly in the rulebook, or it could be something the players discuss and agree on.

Something to be considered in the play contract, then.

I think you're pulling too tight on the reins. In 20+ years I've never had things go crazy enough to need to lay out strictures beforehand. A simple "why are you doing that" has sufficed in every single instance except one. In that instance "go away" was required, and a set of "you can'ts" written out ahead of time would have changed that.

edit: A play contract? What the hell? Are there really groups out there so dysfunctional that you need a contract, and so insecure they can't dream of losing a player unless they have something to point to that says "see, we said that BS wouldn't fly"?

QuoteI don't think that word means what you think it means.

Apparently not.

I didn't realise it seems to have more than one meaning.  I meant the group comes to a decision everyone agrees with, rather than "majority rules".  At my work people frequently say "consensus" meaning the second.  I don't know if that's a widespread misunderstanding... a regionalism... I dunno.

Anyway, I meant "everone agrees".  If the player who wants to "slaughter the innocents" upsets someone at the table (another player or the GM) then it's not right to make them suffer through that.

QuoteIn 20+ years I've never had things go crazy enough to need to lay out strictures beforehand.

You may know your group well enough to forgo the discussion.  It's really advice for when things start going off the rails.  If your game never does, then you're obviously...um... on the right track. (heh)

Quoteedit: A play contract? What the hell? Are there really groups out there so dysfunctional that you need a contract, and so insecure they can't dream of losing a player unless they have something to point to that says "see, we said that BS wouldn't fly"

When did you start playing RPGs?  I was 9.

Quote from: James McMurrayedit: A play contract? What the hell? Are there really groups out there so dysfunctional that you need a contract, and so insecure they can't dream of losing a player unless they have something to point to that says "see, we said that BS wouldn't fly"?

It's basically an agreement on what everyone expects from the game and how it should deal with issues like sex and violence. That way, you don't have to worry about your PC falling into the grubby hands of devil-worshipping cannibalistic serial rapist midgets at some point, if that sort of thing makes you uncomfortable.

Quote from: Levi KornelsenAh, the koolaid point.

http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/2005/08/physics_of_pass.html

Yes!

And can you please explain to ObliviousLB that the forges main inovation is in branding and that it almost certainly means large numbers of people are going to hate it?

As a passionate user you are going to be really, profoundly irritating. Its just life.

Quote from: Erik BoielleAnd can you please explain to ObliviousLB that the forges main inovation is in branding and that it almost certainly means large numbers of people are going to hate it?

"Indie branding" is not - even remotely - a new thing.

It's comparatively new to RPGs, but it's been around for quite a while.