Editing One Simple Thing (section)

=== The GM ===

Original post and a bare '''two''' pages of discussion, [http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=242084 here].

: The GM: When someone pays attention to pacing, and says 'Okay, we're going to skip this boring stuff and do the combat next," that helps everyone in the game. It makes the game more fun. Likewise, when someone interprets the rules, it helps the game. When someone comes to the table with ideas they think will help make a good story that helps the game. When someone plays the bartender you've just met and will never see again, that helps the game.

: Many gaming groups get these tasks done by appointing one person to be the Game Master, and having her do them all. She is still playing the game (you can see her, right there at the table, just like everyone else) but she often plays by different rules and sometimes with different goals. Appointing a Game Master is one good way to get the listed tasks done. There are other ways, also good. For instance, in many gaming groups another non-GM-player (or several other players) might stop playing His Guy for a bit and take on the role of the bartender. That is a different way of distributing that task, and it can work. In another gaming group, all the tasks might be distributed equally among all players. That is a different way of distributing the tasks, and it can work.

: Each way of distributing those tasks has strengths and weaknesses. Some gaming groups may need a GM in order to fulfill their particular goals. Some gaming groups may need to have those tasks spread into many people's hands in order to fulfill their particular goals. Many gaming groups could get their game done either way, and so choose whatever they feel like.

There was no disagreement to speak of.  Go figure.  I guess it's well understood territory.