Game Masters - Revision history

Staffan Björk at 07:11, 8 April 2022

2022-04-08T07:11:55Z

Staffan Björk at 14:55, 6 August 2015

2015-08-06T14:55:42Z

Staffan Björk at 16:46, 2 August 2015

2015-08-02T16:46:04Z

Staffan Björk at 10:19, 14 July 2015

2015-07-14T10:19:46Z

Staffan Björk at 14:24, 6 July 2015

2015-07-06T14:24:04Z

Staffan Björk at 15:59, 17 January 2015

2015-01-17T15:59:08Z

Staffan Björk at 15:03, 11 January 2015

2015-01-11T15:03:55Z

Staffan Björk at 13:44, 15 December 2014

2014-12-15T13:44:07Z

Staffan Björk at 09:46, 21 October 2014

2014-10-21T09:46:21Z

Staffan Björk at 14:36, 2 October 2014

2014-10-02T14:36:07Z

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 Supporting [[Game Masters]] in game design consist of providing them with tools to run the game that allows them to shape the gameplay according to their, and the players', wishes. Common tools are an [[Narration Structures]], pre-generated [[Characters]] that can be used as [[Enemies]] and provide opportunities for [[Roleplaying]]. The nature of these tools of course depend on the type of game but also on if the [[Game Masters]] are supposed to be people or programs, or any of the two.
-One of the responsibilities for [[Game Masters]] is to enact [[Agents]] other than those under the direct control of players. This commonly includes [[Characters]] and [[Units]] that are the players' [[Enemies]], but also includes [[Non-Player Characters]] and [[Companions]] when it is necessary to maintain [[Thematic Consistency]]. When done so, this guarantees [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] and can with human [[Game Masters]] also provide opportunity for [[Roleplaying]] as well as many more complex behaviors and functionality such as [[Open Destiny]], [[Memory of Important Events]], and [[Unpredictable Behavior]].
+One of the responsibilities for [[Game Masters]] is to enact [[Agents]] other than those under the direct control of players. This commonly includes [[Characters]] and [[Units]] that are the players' [[Enemies]], but also includes [[Non-Player Characters]] and [[Companions]] when it is necessary to maintain [[Thematic Consistency]]. When done so, this guarantees [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] and can with human [[Game Masters]] also provide opportunity for [[Roleplaying]] as well as many more complex behaviors and functionality such as [[Open Destiny]], [[Memory of Important Events]], and [[Unpredictable Behavior]]. Enacting [[Non-Player Characters]] means that [[Game Masters]] often need to engage in [[Perspective Taking]].
 [[Game Masters]] have great powers of how gameplay develops, including the [[Freedom of Choice]] to invoke [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] when wanted. However, this can also be used to give players' [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] since [[Game Masters]] often can allow completely new [[Abilities]] or modifying existing ones as they perceive are needed. [[Randomness]] can mitigate the power of [[Game Masters]], but using open determination of evaluation functions, e.g. by rolling [[Dice]] openly, can hinders them from making [[Fudged Results]] to ensure that [[Narration Structures]] are maintained and [[Player Elimination]] is avoided. The powers of gameplay also allows [[Game Masters]] to provide [[Challenging Gameplay]] or make [[Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment]] to some other level of difficulty. This modulation of player chance can be used to give [[Balancing Effects]] so that [[Player Balance]] is achieved between players or [[Challenging Gameplay]] is provided for the whole group of players. Although this may cause a [[Red Queen Dilemmas|Red Queen Dilemma]] negatively affect [[Emotional Engrossment]] if detected, it may be a way to maintain [[Narration Structures]] without resorting to [[Ultra-Powerful Events]]. The power of [[Game Masters]] can cause rule arguments as rules are one of the few ways for players to influence the game besides the ways in which the [[Game Masters]] allow. However, [[Game Masters]] can also act as judges in rule arguments between players and negotiate [[Ability Losses]] for players to ensure [[Player Balance]]. [[Game Masters]] can also remove any concepts of a [[Limited Set of Actions]] as players can describe whatever they wish to do and the game master can determine the outcome.
@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 [[Game Masters]] can both create and remove [[Excise]]. They remove it from players by taking it on themselves and for this they can be seen as a form of [[Non-Player Help]], but if people are [[Game Masters]] they of course need to do the work (e.g. keeping track of [[Character Sheets]]). In another paradox, [[Game Masters]] can both give players an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] and remove it depending on how the judge the way the [[Game Masters]] use their power. By providing tutorship, the presence of [[Game Masters]] can provide [[Smooth Learning Curves]] for players and modulate their need in [[Memorizing]] rules and facts about [[Game Worlds]].
-Since they can provide players with information and guidance, or even take control over the players' [[Characters]], [[Game Masters]] can be seen as a form of [[Player Augmentations|Player Augmentation]]. This, and the fact that players often need to go through [[Game Masters]] to perform actions in the game make it likely that players will be [[Competing for Attention]] of [[Game Masters]].
+Since they can provide players with information and guidance, or even take control over the players' [[Characters]], [[Game Masters]] can be seen as a form of [[Player Augmentations|Player Augmentation]]. This, and the fact that players often need to go through [[Game Masters]] to perform actions in the game make it likely that players will be [[Competing for Attention]] of [[Game Masters]]. This typically also means that [[Game Masters]] naturally engage in [[Perspective Taking]] to consider players' understanding and impression of situations in a roleplaying game.
 Using [[Game Masters]] to control [[Agents]] of any kind automatically provides [[Enforced Agent Behavior]], which for human [[Game Masters]] at least means enforced to follow their whims. It can also ensure that at least they maintain [[Diegetic Consistency]].
@@ Line 88: / Line 88: @@
 [[Negotiation]],
 [[Memory of Important Events]],
-[[Never Ending Stories]], [[Non-Player Help]], [[Open Destiny]], [[Optional Rules]], [[Persistent Game Worlds]], [[Player-Planned Development]],
+[[Never Ending Stories]],
 [[Player Agency]],
 [[Player Augmentations]],

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 [[Game Masters]] have great powers of how gameplay develops, including the [[Freedom of Choice]] to invoke [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] when wanted. However, this can also be used to give players' [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] since [[Game Masters]] often can allow completely new [[Abilities]] or modifying existing ones as they perceive are needed. [[Randomness]] can mitigate the power of [[Game Masters]], but using open determination of evaluation functions, e.g. by rolling [[Dice]] openly, can hinders them from making [[Fudged Results]] to ensure that [[Narration Structures]] are maintained and [[Player Elimination]] is avoided. The powers of gameplay also allows [[Game Masters]] to provide [[Challenging Gameplay]] or make [[Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment]] to some other level of difficulty. This modulation of player chance can be used to give [[Balancing Effects]] so that [[Player Balance]] is achieved between players or [[Challenging Gameplay]] is provided for the whole group of players. Although this may cause a [[Red Queen Dilemmas|Red Queen Dilemma]] negatively affect [[Emotional Engrossment]] if detected, it may be a way to maintain [[Narration Structures]] without resorting to [[Ultra-Powerful Events]]. The power of [[Game Masters]] can cause rule arguments as rules are one of the few ways for players to influence the game besides the ways in which the [[Game Masters]] allow. However, [[Game Masters]] can also act as judges in rule arguments between players and negotiate [[Ability Losses]] for players to ensure [[Player Balance]]. [[Game Masters]] can also remove any concepts of a [[Limited Set of Actions]] as players can describe whatever they wish to do and the game master can determine the outcome.
-[[Game Masters]] can often be also seen as being partly players since they get to perform many of the same actions as the other players. However, they are players with disproportionate [[Empowerment]] over the game due to their [[Privileged Abilities]]: they basically have full [[Creative Control]] of the [[Construction]] and maintenance  of [[Persistent Game Worlds]] as their [[Player Constructed Worlds]], and other players only have influence with the permission of the [[Game Masters]]. Further, all results in the game can be the [[Player Decided Results]] of the [[Game Masters|Game Masters']] will. This means that [[Game Masters]] can modulate players' [[Perceived Chance to Succeed]] as they wish, including making them feel that some actions have no possibility of success or letting them feel that they have [[Luck]]; one way of specifically doing this is through [[Feigned Die Rolls]]. As they interact with the other players, often through [[Storytelling]], [[Enactment]], or [[Roleplaying]], they promote the presence of [[Social Interaction]] in games and allow for [[Negotiation]] regarding all aspects of the games. Since the actions [[Game Masters]] performs as part of these activities can be tailored to the specific game instances and situations, [[Game Masters]] can easily provide [[Context Dependent Reactions]]. The information they provide about the game state can easily become [[Indirect Information]] if that is advantageous since [[Game Masters]] can often influence the presentation of the game state significantly, including lying. An alternative to [[Game Masters]] for much of this can be [[Entitled Players]], and these can be used in addition to [[Game Masters]] to offload the [[Excise]] that [[Game Masters]] often need to handle.
+[[Game Masters]] can often be also seen as being partly players since they get to perform many of the same actions as the other players. However, they are players with disproportionate [[Empowerment]] over the game due to their [[Privileged Abilities]]: they basically have full [[Creative Control]] of the [[Construction]] and maintenance  of [[Persistent Game Worlds]] as their [[Player Constructed Worlds]], and other players only have influence with the permission of the [[Game Masters]]. Further, all results in the game can be the [[Player Decided Results]] of the [[Game Masters|Game Masters']] will. This means that [[Game Masters]] can modulate players' [[Perceived Chance to Succeed]] as they wish, including making them feel that some actions have no possibility of success or letting them feel that they have [[Luck]]; one way of specifically doing this is through [[Feigned Die Rolls]]. As they interact with the other players, often through [[Storytelling]], [[Enactment]], or [[Roleplaying]], they promote the presence of [[Social Interaction]] in games and allow for [[Negotiation]] regarding all aspects of the games. Since the actions [[Game Masters]] performs as part of these activities can be tailored to the specific game instances and situations, [[Game Masters]] can easily provide [[Context Dependent Reactions]]. The information they provide about the game state can easily become [[Indirect Information]] if that is advantageous since [[Game Masters]] can often influence the presentation of the game state significantly, including lying. While [[Game Masters]] are [[Entitled Players]], an alternative to [[Game Masters]] it to have less powerful [[Entitled Players]], and these can be used in addition to [[Game Masters]] to offload the [[Excise]] that [[Game Masters]] often need to handle.
 As part of the [[Game Masters|Game Masters']] power they can control when players can interact. They can ensure that [[Downtime]] or [[Lull Periods]] are shared equally by players by enforcing [[Turn Taking]] and insert [[Tension]] by introducing [[Ephemeral Goals]] with all players experiencing [[Downtime]] or [[Lull Periods]]. Looking at another scale, [[Game Masters]] abilities to modify [[Narration Structures]] as well as taking control over [[Player Characters]] make it possible to support [[Late Arriving Players]] as well as missing players for part or whole play sessions (a form of [[Drop-In/Drop-Out]] support).
@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 [[Diegetically Outstanding Features]], [[Downtime]], [[Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment]], [[Effect Descriptions]],
 [[Enactment]],
-[[Enforced Agent Behavior]], [[Evolving Rule Sets]], [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], [[Excise]],
+[[Enforced Agent Behavior]],
 [[Extra-Game Input]],
 [[Free Game Element Manipulation]],

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 [[Game Masters]] can often be also seen as being partly players since they get to perform many of the same actions as the other players. However, they are players with disproportionate [[Empowerment]] over the game due to their [[Privileged Abilities]]: they basically have full [[Creative Control]] of the [[Construction]] and maintenance  of [[Persistent Game Worlds]] as their [[Player Constructed Worlds]], and other players only have influence with the permission of the [[Game Masters]]. Further, all results in the game can be the [[Player Decided Results]] of the [[Game Masters|Game Masters']] will. This means that [[Game Masters]] can modulate players' [[Perceived Chance to Succeed]] as they wish, including making them feel that some actions have no possibility of success or letting them feel that they have [[Luck]]; one way of specifically doing this is through [[Feigned Die Rolls]]. As they interact with the other players, often through [[Storytelling]], [[Enactment]], or [[Roleplaying]], they promote the presence of [[Social Interaction]] in games and allow for [[Negotiation]] regarding all aspects of the games. Since the actions [[Game Masters]] performs as part of these activities can be tailored to the specific game instances and situations, [[Game Masters]] can easily provide [[Context Dependent Reactions]]. The information they provide about the game state can easily become [[Indirect Information]] if that is advantageous since [[Game Masters]] can often influence the presentation of the game state significantly, including lying. An alternative to [[Game Masters]] for much of this can be [[Entitled Players]], and these can be used in addition to [[Game Masters]] to offload the [[Excise]] that [[Game Masters]] often need to handle.
-As part of the [[Game Masters|Game Masters']] power they can control when players can interact. They can ensure that [[Downtime]] is shared equally by players by enforcing [[Turn Taking]] and insert [[Tension]] by introducing [[Ephemeral Goals]] with all players experiencing [[Downtime]] at the same time. Looking at another scale, [[Game Masters]] abilities to modify [[Narration Structures]] as well as taking control over [[Player Characters]] make it possible to support [[Late Arriving Players]] as well as missing players for part or whole play sessions (a form of [[Drop-In/Drop-Out]] support).
+As part of the [[Game Masters|Game Masters']] power they can control when players can interact. They can ensure that [[Downtime]] or [[Lull Periods]] are shared equally by players by enforcing [[Turn Taking]] and insert [[Tension]] by introducing [[Ephemeral Goals]] with all players experiencing [[Downtime]] or [[Lull Periods]]. Looking at another scale, [[Game Masters]] abilities to modify [[Narration Structures]] as well as taking control over [[Player Characters]] make it possible to support [[Late Arriving Players]] as well as missing players for part or whole play sessions (a form of [[Drop-In/Drop-Out]] support).
 === Diegetic Aspects ===
@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 [[Game Time Manipulation]],
 [[Game Worlds]], [[Indirect Information]], [[Irreversible Events]],
-[[Limited Foresight]], [[Limited Set of Actions]],
+[[Limited Foresight]],
 [[Luck]],
 [[Negotiation]],
 [[Memory of Important Events]],

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 [[Game Masters]] create the presence of [[Risk/Reward]] situations in two ways. First, they can provide players with situations where they need to make choices based upon [[Risk/Reward]] considerations. Second, many of the decisions regarding gameplay and narration they make are in themselves [[Risk/Reward]] choices since players may or may not appreciate them. Since [[Game Masters]] also provide players with the information they get in relation to the [[Risk/Reward]], they also heavily can influence players' possibility to have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] with the various options they have.
-[[Game Masters]] are a dual relationship with [[Irreversible Events]] - they can both enforce them for any event but can also reverse any event by changing their ruling, even if the events were previously declared to be irreversible. Likewise, they can both allow [[Free Game Element Manipulation]] but invalidate any manipulation after the fact.
+[[Game Masters]] are a dual relationship with [[Irreversible Events]] - they can both enforce them for any event but can also reverse any event by changing their ruling, even if the events were previously declared to be irreversible. Likewise, they can both allow [[Free Game Element Manipulation]] but invalidate any manipulation after the fact. More generally, they can perform [[Game Time Manipulation]] to retcon game instances or allow new actions to be performed instead of those previously done.
 [[Game Masters]] can both create and remove [[Excise]]. They remove it from players by taking it on themselves and for this they can be seen as a form of [[Non-Player Help]], but if people are [[Game Masters]] they of course need to do the work (e.g. keeping track of [[Character Sheets]]). In another paradox, [[Game Masters]] can both give players an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] and remove it depending on how the judge the way the [[Game Masters]] use their power. By providing tutorship, the presence of [[Game Masters]] can provide [[Smooth Learning Curves]] for players and modulate their need in [[Memorizing]] rules and facts about [[Game Worlds]].
@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 [[Free Game Element Manipulation]],
 [[Freedom of Choice]],
-[[Fudged Results]], [[Game Worlds]], [[Indirect Information]], [[Irreversible Events]],
+[[Fudged Results]],
 [[Limited Foresight]], [[Limited Set of Actions]],
 [[Luck]],

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 == Consequences ==
-[[Game Masters]] is one form of [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]], and lets players take on a specific [[Social Roles|Social Role]]. As the role can switch between players for some of the games using them, they can also be seen as a way to provide [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] in [[Self-Facilitated Games]] that are also [[Multiplayer Games]]. Through this, being [[Game Masters]] can be seen as roles and can give rise to senses of [[Role Fulfillment]] (besides the ones possible when [[Game Masters]] engage in more specific activities as [[Enactment]], [[Roleplaying]], and [[Storytelling]]). One of the primary consequences of using them is that the allow a game to have [[Social Adaptability]] but not directly under the players' control. Both this social flexibility and the more general flexibility of interpreting, adding, or changing rules allow [[Game Masters]] to provide even more [[Complex Gameplay]] than other [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] can. They can also have their own [[Secret Goals]] to challenge players and direct gameplay towards certain outcomes.
+[[Game Masters]] is one form of [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]], and lets players take on a specific [[Social Roles|Social Role]] with great [[Player Agency]]. As the role can switch between players for some of the games using them, they can also be seen as a way to provide [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] in [[Self-Facilitated Games]] that are also [[Multiplayer Games]]. Through this, being [[Game Masters]] can be seen as roles and can give rise to senses of [[Role Fulfillment]] (besides the ones possible when [[Game Masters]] engage in more specific activities as [[Enactment]], [[Roleplaying]], and [[Storytelling]]). One of the primary consequences of using them is that the allow a game to have [[Social Adaptability]] but not directly under the players' control. Both this social flexibility and the more general flexibility of interpreting, adding, or changing rules allow [[Game Masters]] to provide even more [[Complex Gameplay]] than other [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] can. They can also have their own [[Secret Goals]] to challenge players and direct gameplay towards certain outcomes.
 While they can avoid [[Player Elimination]] through [[Fudged Results]] they can of course also enforce [[Player Kicking]] and eliminations on their on whim.  [[Game Masters]] are rare in [[Single-Player Games]] (but see [[Sleep is Death]]) because the human variety is not cost-efficient and the computer variety may be difficult to distinguish from the rest of the system. Given their power over the rules of a game, [[Game Masters]] can, together with the players, create [[Optional Rules]]. This can provide a [[Player Decided Rule Setup]] which can during gameplay also be a both [[Varying Rule Sets|Varying]] and [[Evolving Rule Sets|Evolving Rule Set]]. Changes in rules by [[Game Masters]] is a form of [[Extra-Game Input]] since it is allowed but not regulated by game rules; the same applies to additions or changes in gameplay content done by them. [[Game Masters]] control over the rules also allow them to enforce [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] by modifying explicit rules by players' plans, descriptions, or [[Enactment|Enactments]].
@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 [[Memory of Important Events]],
 [[Never Ending Stories]], [[Non-Player Help]], [[Open Destiny]], [[Optional Rules]], [[Persistent Game Worlds]], [[Player-Planned Development]],
 [[Player Augmentations]],
 [[Player Balance]], [[Player Decided Rule Setup]],

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 While they can avoid [[Player Elimination]] through [[Fudged Results]] they can of course also enforce [[Player Kicking]] and eliminations on their on whim.  [[Game Masters]] are rare in [[Single-Player Games]] (but see [[Sleep is Death]]) because the human variety is not cost-efficient and the computer variety may be difficult to distinguish from the rest of the system. Given their power over the rules of a game, [[Game Masters]] can, together with the players, create [[Optional Rules]]. This can provide a [[Player Decided Rule Setup]] which can during gameplay also be a both [[Varying Rule Sets|Varying]] and [[Evolving Rule Sets|Evolving Rule Set]]. Changes in rules by [[Game Masters]] is a form of [[Extra-Game Input]] since it is allowed but not regulated by game rules; the same applies to additions or changes in gameplay content done by them. [[Game Masters]] control over the rules also allow them to enforce [[Player/Character Skill Composites]] by modifying explicit rules by players' plans, descriptions, or [[Enactment|Enactments]].
-[[Game Masters]] create the presence of [[Risk/Reward]] situations in two ways. First, they can provide players with situations where they need to make choices based upon [[Risk/Reward]] considerations. Second, many of the decisions regarding gameplay and narration they make are in themselves [[Risk/Reward]] choices since players may or may not appreciate them.
+[[Game Masters]] create the presence of [[Risk/Reward]] situations in two ways. First, they can provide players with situations where they need to make choices based upon [[Risk/Reward]] considerations. Second, many of the decisions regarding gameplay and narration they make are in themselves [[Risk/Reward]] choices since players may or may not appreciate them. Since [[Game Masters]] also provide players with the information they get in relation to the [[Risk/Reward]], they also heavily can influence players' possibility to have a [[Determinable Chance to Succeed]] with the various options they have.
 [[Game Masters]] are a dual relationship with [[Irreversible Events]] - they can both enforce them for any event but can also reverse any event by changing their ruling, even if the events were previously declared to be irreversible. Likewise, they can both allow [[Free Game Element Manipulation]] but invalidate any manipulation after the fact.
@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 [[Alternative Realities]],
 [[Campaigns]],
-[[Character Defining Actions]], [[Characters]], [[Companions]], [[Enemies]], [[Free Game Element Manipulation]],
+[[Character Defining Actions]], [[Characters]], [[Companions]],
 [[Memorizing]],
 [[Multiplayer Games]], [[Narration Structures]], [[Non-Player Characters]], [[Player Characters]], [[Predetermined Story Structures]],

@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 === Narrative Aspects ===
-[[Game Masters]] often have the responsibility of a game's [[Narration Structures|Narration Structure]]. This may include [[Storytelling]], either the telling of [[Predetermined Story Structures]] or improvising as part of [[Effect Descriptions]], but may also be the creation of new parts so that a game can have [[Never Ending Stories]]. Sometimes they can include modifying [[Predetermined Story Structures]] if these not longer hold due to players actions, but more generally [[Game Masters]] can both be modify and create [[Scenes]]. They can also negotiate so that the players actions are interpreted as [[Character Defining Actions]].
+[[Game Masters]] often have the responsibility of a game's [[Narration Structures|Narration Structure]]. This may include [[Storytelling]], either the telling of [[Predetermined Story Structures]] or improvising as part of [[Effect Descriptions]], but may also be the creation of new parts so that a game can have [[Never Ending Stories]]. Sometimes they can include modifying [[Predetermined Story Structures]] such as [[Adventures]] and [[Campaigns]] if these not longer work as written due to players actions, but more generally [[Game Masters]] can both be modify and create [[Scenes]]. They can also negotiate so that the players actions are interpreted as [[Character Defining Actions]].
 They provide the most efficient way [[Cutscenes]] can be modulated to fit the players and the game state, since whole [[Cutscenes]] can be done by [[Storytelling]] and [[Roleplaying]] by the [[Game Masters]] themselves. They also guarantee [[Limited Foresight]] among the players since any [[Narration Structures]] can at any moment be discarded in favor of other plots or storylines. By doing so, they can provide [[Anticipation]], [[Surprises]] (including [[Surprise Attacks]]), and [[Tension]], as well as let players have some [[Creative Control]] of the developing story, especially regarding their characters through [[Player-Planned Development]]. This can in turn provide an [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] or actually share the influence of a [[Player Constructed Worlds|Player Constructed World]] with the players.
@@ Line 108: / Line 108: @@
 === Can Modulate ===
 [[Abilities]],
 [[Alternate Reality Gameplay]],
 [[Alternative Realities]],
 [[Character Defining Actions]], [[Characters]], [[Companions]], [[Enemies]], [[Free Game Element Manipulation]],
 [[Memorizing]],

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 [[Category:Needs references]]
 [[Category:Atomic Patterns]]
-''Facilitators of game worlds, and of players interactions with these worlds.''
+''Facilitators of game worlds, and of players' interactions with these worlds.''
 Games containing complex game worlds so complex that not all can be presented at once still need ways of letting players interact with them. This first became an issue for tabletop roleplaying games. These had evolved out of wargames and miniature games which had often dedicated game facilitators keeping track of hidden information. This role evolved into [[Game Masters]] (also called Dungeon Masters and Storytellers) responsible for improvising effects of players' actions and creating adventures, campaigns, and whole game worlds. With the appearance of computer-based roleplaying games, programs could replace people in the role of [[Game Masters]] at the expense of being able to improvise in response to player actions. To compensate for this, solutions where people and programs share the responsibility of being [[Game Masters]] have appeared.