by jcftao » Sun May 20, 2012 12:58 am
Mel,
When I switch sides of the dm screen and become a player, I've hated being led around by the nose. If the dm paints a big sign "This Way..." it makes me wonder what's in the other direction.
I think that even in the best of sand box games, it is hard for the PC to make a good choice because there is still much information missing.
I can guarantee that I've done the same, railroading my players like cattle down a chute, but in a perfect game world, it would be nice for the PCs to gather all info possible, make a decision, and away they go.
Do you think that players are often more used to the railroad method? Video games have ingrained that into most players.
I agree to you about GM fiat. Your comment about moving from set piece to set piece instead of GM fiat, makes a strong point. Then the result would be, more railroading, less roleplaying, more of a board game. Not really what I'd like to see in my game. Some of the best, most memorable parts of play are not in combat, but in the time between and the interaction of the PCs.
Thanks for the podcast, it sounds like you had fun!