GM's Role: Godot Monkey Unleashed

Gm’s Role: The Godot-Monkey Unleashed

The shadowy figure of the Games Master hunched behind his screen clutching the precious books of power and the special dice has been a staple of role-playing games (RPGs), or role-playing entertainments (RPEs), since before I was born.

It doesn't matter what your character sheet says, it doesn't matter what your character does, it doesn't matter what the ‘rules’ say, it doesn't matter what the game designers say, system doesn't matter, setting doesn't matter and story doesn’t matter - all that counts is the will of the GM.

I learned this the hard way. Crushed by random falling masonry. AGAIN?!

Traditionally RPG/Es give ultimate authority to a single participant - the GM. This is the biggest stumbling block to new players and hugely counter-intuitive. It also places a massive burden of responsibility onto the GM - it’s their RPG/E, whether the whole exercise succeeds or fails is down to the GM maintaining the goodwill of the players.

In terms of GENIUS theory the GM:

· Is the gaming balance.

· Authors the narrative.

· Decides what is explored.

· Provides the opportunity for immersion.

· Fosters group unity.

· Determines acceptable humour.

Yet all the time the GM must provide the players with the feeling (or illusion) of control.

The GM must strive to be an invisible, imperceptible force within the fictional world, yet remains the cause of everything, the meaning of everything - like Godot in Samuel Beckett’s masterpiece Waiting for Godot. Unfortunately, the GM is, like the rest of us, merely a monkey (unless you believe those wacky Creationists). Hence the Godot-Monkey. And a monkey has difficulty wielding the immense power of Godot. Absolute power corrupts absolutely...

Some may argue this is a social contract issue, but one of the immutable clauses in a RPG/E social contract is to obey the rules - which usually hand ultimate power to the GM.

Add to this the practical difficulties - finding someone willing to put in the time and effort to be the GM can be a nightmare even for long established role-play groups.

Where am I going with all this?

Death to the Godot-Monkey! We don’t need them! Equality among players!

Role-playing for role-players!!! Encourage the democratic art-form!!!

Or if you’re set on having a GM, why bother with any other rules?

JJ Prince - 2006

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