Master Plan #19: Busting GM Assumptions with Ben Lehman

As the first episode in a series about busting assumptions in game design, Ryan talks with Ben Lehman about assumptions regarding game masters (or GMs). Ben has written three games that each deal with GM distribution differently: Polaris, which has no GM; Bliss Stage, which has a typical GM; and The Drifter's Escape, which has many GMs and one PC. Bringing these various experiences to the table, they unpack various assumptions and various design pitfalls. Afterwards, Ryan shares some random bits of advice he's found himself telling people lately.



Ben's Games:

Bliss Stage
The Drifter's Escape
Polaris
Other Games Mentioned:

Ambe Diceless (Wikipedia article)
Breaking the Ice by Black & Green Games
Capes by Muse of Fire Games
Grey Ranks by Bully Pulpit Games
Nobilis (Wikipedia article)
The Shab-al-Hiri Roach by Bully Pulpit Games
Universalis by Ramshead Publishing
Other Mentions:

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamont (Amazon link)
Story Games
Running time: 28:14 / File size: 19.3 MB



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