Post originally by Yamo at 2005-02-02 11:48:21
Converted from Phorums BB System

A great many roleplayers have no interest in telling a story.

What got me into roleplaying, and what keeps me here, is the sense of exploration.

I don't want to create a world, I want to explore one. I don't want to tell a story, I want to experience one. If I get to make up what's around the next bend in the road, I'm not exploring, I'm creating, and roleplaying is simply not my preferred medium for creation. On the other hand, if the GM tells me what's around that bend, I can maintain interest because I feel like I'm really "there" being surprised and challenged along with my character.

Your notion of poor, beaten-down roleplayers who don't realize they don't need a GM is largely a canard. Most players in my experience are very conscious of the function the GM performs and actively desire the sort of play that the presence of a strong GM encourages.