Comments on: Game Master, Referee, Storyteller: What’s in a Name?

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 02:50:25 +0000

Sensei: Got ‘em, thanks!

Brodie: Any chance you’ve got a link to that soap opera RPG?

By: Brodie

Brodie — Sun, 05 Mar 2006 07:26:26 +0000

The name of the GM is only flavor unless the game actually shares GM narration powers among many players. For instance, the SOAP rpg based on soap operas allows each player to create their own scenes and other players can join existing scenes or create their own. Whatever a player says happens unless another player spends a token to change it. players gain tokens by demonstrating character traits or exposing information about their “secret”. No GM, but its definitely a roleplaying game.

By: Sensei Le Roof

Sensei Le Roof — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 19:14:50 +0000

What about “Bartender” in Tales from the Floating Vagabond, or “AI” in Red Dwarf?

Oh, and the “Computer” in Paranoia, natch.

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 14:30:23 +0000

I’m in a similar boat, Zachary — my brain substitutes GM in most cases. Where we differ is that I think the presentation — especially in, say, PTA — plus a divergent title does have an impact on how I view a game.

By: Zachary Houghton

Zachary Houghton — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 17:37:19 +0000

Game Ref-Orbit
Guide-Epic

Starship Troopers is interesting in that it uses the plural “Games Master”.

Add Iron Gauntlets to the list as also using “Director”.

To be honest, I subconciously default to “GM” even when using a system that doesn’t use that designator. I can’t ever recall finding true merit in any divergent title.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:51:57 +0000

Thanks for all the new terms — I’ve added them to the list.

I don’t have anything to add to what Sean, Scott and Troy said, except that those are all good points.

By: Walt C

Walt C — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:15:33 +0000

Even with a Preview I hit “Post” too quickly, lol.

Director – Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Angel

By: Walt C

Walt C — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:14:10 +0000

Chronicler – Witchcraft and Armageddon

By: ScottM

ScottM — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 21:36:21 +0000

The name doesn’t matter much– it’s what the book tells you about the role that matters. For example, both Dogs in the Vineyard and Primetime Adventures are very clear that many of the aspects that you’re used to a GM exercising, their GM doesn’t.

If your book is vague about what a GM does and you just give it a fancy name, you haven’t contributed anything useful.

By: Troy Taylor

Troy Taylor — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 18:33:10 +0000

Deadlands has a sheriff

I think it comes down to two camps: Whether the role is one as rules arbiter vs. mood setter, or if you prefer, judge vs. narrator. Most games lean more one way than the other. But some on that list are simply a designer/marketer trying to fit the name to the genre of the game, rather than clue the players into the GM’s true role.

I prefer GM/DM, which because of its universality, tends to make the meaning generic.

By: Sean Holland

Sean Holland — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 15:58:32 +0000

From my experience, the title matter far less then the person who takes the role. Sure, some buy into the DM as lord and master of the Game (and its group) rather then just the setting, other prefer a more relaxed, interactive style. I have seen Storytellers who were control freaks and GMs who allowed the players the shape the game world. It is the person, not the title, that shapes the play style.

By: Jeff Rients

Jeff Rients — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 15:56:09 +0000

I use GM universally like so many others, but I tend to stick to DM for D&D.

Some others terms:

The Creator – SenZar
Journey Master – Encounter Critical
Rune Master – RuneQuest
Hollyhock God – Nobilis (surprise you missed this one!)
Ghostmaster – Ghostbusters
Ninja Master – Night of the Ninja
Excursion Master – Excursion into the Bizarre
Gore Master – Dead Meat