I’ve mentioned the GM a couple times so far, but I haven’t really gone into detail about what, who, or why the GM is in the game. In storytelling terms, the GM is an unreliable narrator. In mechanical terms, the GM is an NPC with meta-abilities. The Stanley Parable provides an excellent example of an unreliable narrator in a video game.
In SRPG, for the most part, the GM narrates the events of the game and provides some level of commentary on the player’s choices. Ostensibly, the GM (as in D&D or other pen-and-paper RPGs) is responsible for the creation and organization of locations, characters, enemies, events, and so on. This particular GM, however, is both unprepared and over-invested, leading (probably) to clashes with the player, other NPCs, the world, and the game mechanics themselves.
It’s unclear at this point whether the player should consider the GM a friend, an enemy, or a force of nature. Something I need to sort out as the storyline continues. I also need to be careful, as breaking the 4th wall is bordering on a trope at this point. It’s integral to the structure of SRPG, so it has to be done right.
GM: The twins lean forward eagerly, excited at the prospect of delivering their latest riddle.
The Twins: We’re not twins.
GM: Oh. I thought…
The Left Twin: You could have asked, you know. Just because two people like to stand in front of a gate and pose riddles in unison doesn’t mean they’re twins.
GM: Sorry?
The Right Twin: You didn’t even ask our names. You’re still calling us twins in your script. ‘Left Twin’ and ‘Right Twin’. Wow.
GM: What should I call you, then?
The Left Twin: My name is Jane
The Right Twin: And I’m Jack
GM: Ok…Jack and Jane, who are not related, lean forward eagerly, excited at the prospect—
Jack: Seriously? We’re brother and sister, we’re just not twins. What are the odds two complete strangers named Jack and Jane would be doing this?
GM: Fine. I don’t actually care. The two J’s have a riddle.