@SashSoulsmith@Wizards_DnD I think many players do not appreciate the work that the GM puts into keeping the world working underneath the actions and choices that 3-5 players make every session.
That piece of marketing was actually well done. It has us still talking about it days later.
@SashSoulsmith@Wizards_DnD I saw AI art and stopped at face value.
I have had that same experience you must have with the DM that wrote the script of a play, not a story for the players to experience.
I am very careful with player autonomy.
@SashSoulsmith@Wizards_DnD It looks like a post adventure feast where the group that saved the town are being honored. It is theatrical and the elven woman in the background has a problem with the hand holding the wine glass.
You are right, railroading is bad, thanks for the lively discourse.
@SashSoulsmith@Wizards_DnD I was just saying that the exposition that a GM creates to flush out a world is part of storytelling. The ability to adapt to the player's choices and seamlessly incorporate their whims into your world is still storytelling.
@SashSoulsmith@Wizards_DnD Providing a vibrant and full world in which the players move their characters about is not smothering. If the DM has a plot that must be followed, that is railroading, but that's not necessary what is being discussed here.
@memeslich Absolutely! As a GM, I always leave an exit strategy for the players that don't know what their limits are and attack the tarrasque at level 1.
@spacejohnston76 The story told is not specific to a game system.
You could take any OSR scenario and prep it to run in D&D 5E, Pathfinder, Cortex, Gumshoe, or whatever system you choose.
The system that you play in does not matter. Just hang with friends and have fun.