--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Role-playing isn't storytelling. If the…" description: "\"Role-playing isn't storytelling. If the dungeon master is directing it, it's not a game.\" — Gary Gygax" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c5/gary-gygax-18290_dungeons_role-playing-isn-t-storytelling-if-the-d_1090978.jpg" --- # Role-playing isn't storytelling. If the dungeon master is… ![“Role-playing isn't storytelling. If the dungeon master is directing it, it's not a game.” quote by Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c5/gary-gygax-18290_dungeons_role-playing-isn-t-storytelling-if-the-d_1090978.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c5/gary-gygax-18290_dungeons_role-playing-isn-t-storytelling-if-the-d_1090978.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c5/gary-gygax-18290_dungeons_role-playing-isn-t-storytelling-if-the-d_1090978.jpg) > “Role-playing isn't storytelling. If the dungeon master is directing it, it's not a game.” [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If a DM controls the story, the game loses its player‑driven storytelling nature. **In simple terms:** DM control removes player storytelling. Key Takeaway Allow player agency in role‑play. Themes role‑playing player agency game design Mood thoughtful instructive Type theoretical guideline When to use this quote - tabletop sessions - online RPGs - story workshops Key Concepts narrative freedom collaborative storytelling game mechanics Questions to Reflect On - How can DMs balance guidance with player freedom? - What tools support collaborative storytelling? A Different Perspective Some structure is needed for coherence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dungeons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dungeons/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Role playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/role-playing/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) ## Related quotes > [You are not entering this world in the usual manner, for you are setting forth to be a Dungeon Master. 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I was the dungeon master in my D&D game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-benioff/i-was-a-huge-fantasy-geek-growing-up-i-was-the-dungeon-master-in-my-d/) [David Benioff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-benioff/) > [I used to a play a role-playing game called Dungeons and Dragons, and that was about levels of experience; as you gained experience, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-edlund/i-used-to-a-play-a-role-playing-game-called-dungeons-and-dragons-and/) [Ben Edlund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-edlund/) > [Guitar playing isn't really for everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/guitar-playing-isn-t-really-for-everybody/) [Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/) > [“I always, always wanted to be the Dungeon Master because that's where the creativity lies - in thinking up places, characters and situations. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharyn-mccrumb/i-always-always-wanted-to-be-the-dungeon-master-because-that-s-where/) [Sharyn McCrumb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharyn-mccrumb/) > [I consider myself a better storyteller than a Dungeon Master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mercer/i-consider-myself-a-better-storyteller-than-a-dungeon-master/) [Matthew Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mercer/) > [Playing well with others isn't all it's cracked up to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/playing-well-with-others-isn-t-all-it-s-cracked-up-to-be/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [Any time people are breaking outside the norm and playing something that isn't expected - that feels like punk to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-commerford/any-time-people-are-breaking-outside-the-norm-and-playing-something/) [Tim Commerford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-commerford/) > [It's more fun playing someone who isn't just a bad guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/it-s-more-fun-playing-someone-who-isn-t-just-a-bad-guy/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [Every character I get to play has some element of who I am, but there's no fun in playing yourself. At least, for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/every-character-i-get-to-play-has-some-element-of-who-i-am-but-there/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [Playing is just about feeling. Playing isn't necessarily about misery. Playing isn't necessarily about happiness. But it's just about letting yourself feel all those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janis-joplin/playing-is-just-about-feeling-playing-isn-t-necessarily-about-misery/) [Janis Joplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janis-joplin/) > [The rules - I think that's one big thing that people seem to get caught up in is that I have to know all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mercer/the-rules-i-think-that-s-one-big-thing-that-people-seem-to-get-caught/) [Matthew Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mercer/) > [The essence of a role-playing game is that it is a group, cooperative experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/the-essence-of-a-role-playing-game-is-that-it-is-a-group-cooperative/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [Some of the roots of role-playing games (RPGs) are grounded in clinical and academic role assumption and role-playing exercises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/some-of-the-roots-of-role-playing-games-rpgs-are-grounded-in-clinical/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) ## More by Gary Gygax > [“Do not be sidetracked. A good referee will have many ways to distract an expedition, many things to draw attention, but ignore them if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/do-not-be-sidetracked-a-good-referee-will-have-many-ways-to-distract/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [Anyone wanna play Dungeons & Dragons for the next quadrillion years?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/anyone-wanna-play-dungeons-dragons-for-the-next-quadrillion-years/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [If you are an inventor, then you are destined for blood, sweat and tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/if-you-are-an-inventor-then-you-are-destined-for-blood-sweat-and-tears/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [I hated school, didn't like the discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/i-hated-school-didn-t-like-the-discipline/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [Send anyone claiming that their RPG activity is an art form my way, and I'll gladly stick a pin in their head and deflate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/send-anyone-claiming-that-their-rpg-activity-is-an-art-form-my-way/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [The essence of a role-playing game is that it is a group, cooperative experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/the-essence-of-a-role-playing-game-is-that-it-is-a-group-cooperative/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [Games give you a chance to excel, and if you're playing in good company you don't even mind if you lose because you had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/games-give-you-a-chance-to-excel-and-if-you-re-playing-in-good/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [Some of the roots of role-playing games (RPGs) are grounded in clinical and academic role assumption and role-playing exercises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/some-of-the-roots-of-role-playing-games-rpgs-are-grounded-in-clinical/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [I foresee online gaming changing when there are good audio-visual links connecting the participants, thus approximating play in a face-to-face group.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/i-foresee-online-gaming-changing-when-there-are-good-audio-visual/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [I would like the world to remember me as the guy who really enjoyed playing games and sharing his knowledge and his fun pastimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/i-would-like-the-world-to-remember-me-as-the-guy-who-really-enjoyed/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [The idea that a game is anything more than a game... You know, there are people who are basically unbalanced who are going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/the-idea-that-a-game-is-anything-more-than-a-game-you-know-there-are/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [ When you master role-playing \[gaming\], you become immersed in an activity that is peerless among leisure-time pursuits. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/when-you-master-role-playing-gaming-you-become-immersed-in-an/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [Pen-and-paper role-playing is live theater and computer games are television. People want the convenience and instant gratification of turning on the TV rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/pen-and-paper-role-playing-is-live-theater-and-computer-games-are/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [Gaming in general is a male thing. It isn't that gaming is designed to exclude women. Everybody who's tried to design a game to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/gaming-in-general-is-a-male-thing-it-isn-t-that-gaming-is-designed-to/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) > [I wasn't popular in the home office because I wasn't chicken. I'm just a risk taker. I have gut instincts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/i-wasn-t-popular-in-the-home-office-because-i-wasn-t-chicken-i-m-just/) [Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) [Explore all 35 Gary Gygax quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/) ## More Dungeons quotes > [Your thief looks Exactly like the rest, or rather better; 'Tis only at the bar, and in the dungeon, That wise men know your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/your-thief-looks-exactly-like-the-rest-or-rather-better-tis-only-at/) [Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/) > [Yes, thou art ever present, power divine; not circumscribed by time, nor fixed by space, confined to altars, nor to temples bound. In wealth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/yes-thou-art-ever-present-power-divine-not-circumscribed-by-time-nor/) [Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/) > [It will be hard James but you come from sturdy peasant stock men who picked cotton and dammed rivers and built railroads and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-will-be-hard-james-but-you-come-from-sturdy-peasant-stock-men-who/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The biggest trap, the biggest dungeon in life isn't laziness or bad luck, it's comfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/the-biggest-trap-the-biggest-dungeon-in-life-isn-t-laziness-or-bad/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [Remember the story of the Spanish prisoner. For many years he was confined in a dungeon... One day it occurred to him to push…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/remember-the-story-of-the-spanish-prisoner-for-many-years-he-was/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Simon grinned. "You've never heard of Dungeons and Dragons?" "I've heard of dungeons," Jace said. "Also dragons. Although they're mostly extinct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/simon-grinned-you-ve-never-heard-of-dungeons-and-dragons-i-ve-heard/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I have done most of my talking by post of late years--as people shut up in dungeons take up with scrawling mottoes on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/i-have-done-most-of-my-talking-by-post-of-late-years-as-people-shut/) [Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/) > [We're making efforts regarding the total flow of the Zelda game. So far, the basic flow of the Zelda games is you're exploring a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eiji-aonuma/we-re-making-efforts-regarding-the-total-flow-of-the-zelda-game-so/) [Eiji Aonuma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eiji-aonuma/) > [How clear everything becomes when you look from the darkness of a dungeon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/how-clear-everything-becomes-when-you-look-from-the-darkness-of-a/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [Sin thrives in the dungeon, but slap it on the table for all to see, and it withers rather quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-dekker/sin-thrives-in-the-dungeon-but-slap-it-on-the-table-for-all-to-see/) [Ted Dekker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-dekker/) > [I loved 'Dungeons & Dragons'. That was actually a good cartoon to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rash/i-loved-dungeons-dragons-that-was-actually-a-good-cartoon-to-me/) [Jim Rash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rash/) > [O loss of sight, of thee I most complain! Blind among enemies, O worse than chains, dungeon or beggary, or decrepit age! Light, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/o-loss-of-sight-of-thee-i-most-complain-blind-among-enemies-o-worse/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [“The deepest and darkest dungeons that we are ever flung into are the dungeons of the mind”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rassool-jibraeel-snyman/the-deepest-and-darkest-dungeons-that-we-are-ever-flung-into-are-the/) [rassool jibraeel snyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rassool-jibraeel-snyman/) > [I think the biggest mistake you can make in creator owned work is having info-dumps like, "Here's how this world works!" it's just like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-remender/i-think-the-biggest-mistake-you-can-make-in-creator-owned-work-is/) [Rick Remender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-remender/) > [I was never really a nerd. I'm not really into comic books or Dungeons and Dragons or any of that kind of stuff. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-mintz-plasse/i-was-never-really-a-nerd-i-m-not-really-into-comic-books-or-dungeons/) [Christopher Mintz-Plasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-mintz-plasse/) [Browse all 167 Dungeons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dungeons/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Role-playing isn't storytelling. 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