I really like this video and I think you should go and subscribe to this guy right away. But I disagree on two points, and I disagree strongly enough that I felt I needed to talk about it.
1. I like it when players add to the story and try to drive it in their own direction. It is a great source of ideas for me and I don’t mind giving them narrative control like that since I know they are getting what they want out of the story. If what they are trying to add to the story doesn’t fit, like a magic shop on an island of cannibals for example, then I let them know that. If they persist after that, they are nagging and “bullying”.
2. I know that losing control over your only playing piece in the game is terrible. but many games, especially older games enforce this. If you are playing a fantasy game and a mage charms your character, or you are struck by a fear effect in a horror game, then you are compelled to act in a certain way, or not at all. Sometimes it isn’t obvious to the character why this is happening. Sometimes the source of the compel is unknown and finding out about it is a part of the mystery. If your GM says “you feel an overwhelming sense of dread of dread as you approach the gates and you turn away from them in fear” then you as a player should ROLEPLAY that out and go with it. Don’t ever assume your GM is trying to ruin your fun. There is a reason for whatever they are doing although it may not be apparent at that moment. Few things are worse than having to give away metagame facts (like invisible spellcasters or cursed items) just because a fussy player wants an explanation to a situation where they feel you “must” be breaking the rules. Don’t be that player. Wait until a break to bring it up. Let the GM know it bothered you, and if you aren’t satisfied with how it is handled, let the GM know that too… out of game. Maybe your playstyles just aren’t a good mix and you should not be gaming together. Whatever the case, there is no good reason to throw a fit and ruin the fun and immersion of everyone else in the game.
I am looking forward to seeing more videos from How to be a Great Game Master, and I would like to know what YOU think about the topic. I will be watching the comments on Youtube, or you can talk about it here. I am sure there are plenty of people reading this thinking “you should NEVER take away player agency over their own character”. So go ahead and shout it from the rooftops. I will be watching for it.
Game On!
Lair of the Technolich 