Both.Are we talking about things that are not about the actual playing of the game?
The "GM Agency" does mention, vagely, that there are lots of "rule that are not rules" that a Gm must follow in the game.
But more so was the mention of "secret not rules" that are informal that "everyone" (except for some people like myself) know and follow automatically....and that bind the GM too.
The DM being forced to act like the adult...or really the only sane person is just too common. And yes there are a couple of immature DMs, but mostly this is a huge player problem.As for the GM being the "leader" -- wrangling players is part of the job. Not because the GM is the only adult in the room -- unless, of course, the GM is literally the only adult in the room -- but because one of the most important jobs the GM has is managing pacing. Managing pacing often means managing focus. That can be redirecting a player from their phones, but it can also mean redirecting a player from a self indulgent in-play shopping trip.
It does seem like there has been a huge shift in Gamer culture to the Walled, GateKeeper type game. Guess it's part of the whole shift in society of people having few or no friends, people not being even slightly social, and people not having acquaintances at all.But, lots of us don't run/play games in such situations frequently. We are playing in our homes, with people who were specifically invited, most frequently with friends. And then this sounds like hyperbole or sarcasm, and that may leave folks wondering where this is going, or how to engage with the post.
I do run three GateKept games, each with a group of friends that I interact with most days, and we sure do not let any outsiders into the game. These games need no "informal rules" as I know each of these people very well and even trust them.
But then I also run games for other people: acquaintances and strangers. Though it does seem that not a single poster anywhere online does this, it's a normal part of gaming to me. I don't have a harsh gatekeeping requirement that we must be the best of best friends before we can game together. For example, almost a year ago now some gamers came to me and asked me to run a 5E spelljammer game. I only barley knew two of them as acquaintances, the other three were complete strangers.
My Thursday night game started as five strangers to me. I answered an add for a "DM needed", and we started to game together. Though my game style is unlike most others as I have a lot of house rules that the players must agree too. And I'm zero tolerance: for example, you show up late to the game and you don't get to play. Do it twice and your kicked out. After years of gaming, I feel this is the only way to stop the outright abuse done by most players. Without such a rule way too many players would show up three hours late with a "sorry...yuck yuck yuck".
So then to Circle Back,,,,the DM Agency made mention of "informal rules" the DM must follow. Rules set forth by the players and willing player DMs. In order for DM Agency to exist...it must be taken away somehow.....
And, I just wonder what ARE those rules?