Now I Am the Master

Last week: The Weirdest Idea in D&D 5E's DMG

Begin the game using whatever GM-less system you prefer. For example, start with something like Microscope, and play normally for as long as desired. Keep going until two players really disagree about some aspect of the fiction. Either one can “win” the argument by becoming the GM (if both disagreeing players are willing to become the GM to prevail, they can flip a coin; ask the table to vote; or otherwise resolve the impasse through a quick minigame of their choosing).

Once a GM has been chosen, the game switches from collaborative (with all players having an equal stake in creation) to Socratic (the more traditional question-and-answer between a GM with scenario control and players with character control). We zoom in from our high-level storytelling view and get into specifics. The players pick characters appropriate to the scenario, and the GM adjudicates the game. This might mean switching from Microscope or whatever GM-less system to another system with a GM structure; the new system should be low-prep or no-prep, given the fluidity of the game structure. Play continues in this way until everyone agrees that the present scenario is concluded, and it makes sense to move back to high-level collaborative play.

Death, Where Is Your Sting?  

Here’s a weirder spin on this idea. When you're playing a traditional GM-led game, and your character dies, you may choose to immediately take over as GM. If you do, the old GM grabs a character sheet (prepared for this eventuality) and moves to the other side of the screen, joining the action as soon as possible.

The new GM should pick up where the old one left off. They should honor the fiction that’s already been established, but otherwise may choose to steer the game in a very different direction. Like any GM-switching mechanic, this mechanism depends on a high level of flexibility among the players. It fits best in a high-lethality game (such that the opportunity to switch comes up somewhat often) and requires a high level of trust as well (so that no one is using the GM role punitively against the person who presided when their last character died).

I think this is more interesting in theory than execution. It gets so far form how the conventional game is played that I’m not sure anyone would enjoy it… but for just the right group, I would love to see it in action.