Again, I think Gygax's advice paints a more nuanced picture than that. Sometimes it does seem as if he is a megalomaniacal tyrant of a referee, but at other times he is merely strongly encouraging the referee to fully assume the persona of the non-player character or monster.

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The rules & game feel are very prescriptive (remember, Gygax is trying to create a shared language & culture of play), but he is also very encouraging about doing things your way within the parameters of the established rules

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Again I find the preface to the DMG enlightening:

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I think running an AD&D-style game in 5e seems like it could be lots of fun

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Is the Tomb of Horrors a nightmare dungeon because Gygax was a dick who wanted to kill any player who tried it? Or is it that way because he is embodying the persona of the insane demilich Acererak? I think it is a bit of both!

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