History Main / GMPC

* The ''Roleplay/GlobalGuardiansPBEMUniverse'' played with this. While there were loads of [=GMPCs=], they were always characters being run in another [=GMs=] campaign.

* In ''Fellowship'', the Game Master plays the Overlord, a character that serves as the BigBad of the campaign. It's the Fellowship's job to fight their armies and thwart their evil plans.

* ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'' has Kuroto Dan[=/=]Kamen Rider Gemn, owner of the video game company that created the Riders' [[TransformationTrinket transformation belts and Gashats]]. Kuroto outright calls himself the Game Master, but rather than sitting on the sidelines, he transforms into a Rider and uses his complete knowledge of the Gashats (as well as his ability to create new ones when he wants) to completely dominate the heroes and serve as the show's DiscOneFinalBoss. TropesAreNotBad in this case, since [[spoiler:Kuroto ends up getting [[DidntSeeThatComing dethroned by unexpected surprises]], undergoes a HeelFaceTurn, and gets some CharacterDevelopment that makes him interesting and sympathetic]]...that, and the fact that his actor Tetsuya Iwanaga was [[HamAndCheese hammier than a hog farm]] and [[ChewingTheScenery clearly had a lot of fun playing the character]].

Admittedly, this kind of character [[TropesAreNotBad can be done well]] -- adding flavor to the campaign and immersing the players in the world the GameMaster has set out to create. This kind of GMPC often serves as a NonActionGuy in order to avoid stealing the spotlight from the players, or at least some form of WhiteMage (passive [=GMPCs=] often end up in the 'healing' role).

* ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'' has Dan Kuroto[=/=]Kamen Rider Gemn, who's a rider that can create his own gashats. Which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the fact that he's the BigBad [[spoiler: at first]], meaning that if a situation that's unfavorable to him comes along, he can just create a gashat to get out of it (And as it just so happens, he's ''really good'' at it). He's only defeated by elements he can't account for.

* Sir Osric in ''Film/TheGamers: Dorkness Rising'' is a [[ThePaladin Paladin]] and therefore honour-bound to curb the [=PCs=]' amoral-to-homicidal impulses, which causes tension in the game and resentment among the players. Ultimately a {{Reconstruction}} as the GM learns to have more faith in his players, while the players become more invested in the story and ''slightly'' less prone to hijinks. [[spoiler:Ultimately, one player character uses her divinely-granted wish to bring Osric back from the dead -- a major milestone in roleplaying for the group.]]

* Dark Bakura from the ''[[Manga/YuGiOh Yu-Gi-Oh! manga]]'' is a literal KillerGameMaster that frequently uses his own Player Characters to go against the players in his TabletopRPG campaigns. In the first RPG, Dark Bakura is in control of a [[BigBad Big Bad Evil Guy]] and Ryou Bakura (the good one) manages to save Yugi and his friends from it using his own GMPC. [[spoiler:In the second RPG, Dark Bakura is in control of ''two'', Thief King Bakura and Priest Akhenaden. When Thief King Bakura dies, Akhenaden manages to summon Zorc Necrophades, and the demon replaces the thief as one of Dark Bakura's avatars.]]

* The ''TabletopGame/{{Ringworld}}'' RPG requires players whose characters mutate into [[CursedWithAwesome protectors]] to give up control of the character to the GM. Protectors have superhuman strength and intelligence, but no free will, as they are ruthlessly devoted to ensuring the survival of their bloodline or species.

* In ''Roleplay/RedDragon'' (the Replay on which ''Anime/ChaosDragon'' was loosely based), [[Franchise/NasuVerse Kinoko Nasu]]'s airheaded {{paladin}} Swallow was accompanied at all times by [[OldRetainer his snarky maid Meryll]], to whom he owed a great personal debt. Nasu created Meryll mostly to give the GM an easy way to stop him from going OffTheRails and stealing spotlight from the less experienced players, but due to [[RandomNumberGod a series of odd die rolls]] this soon lead to a RunningGag of the players [[MemeticBadass treating her as the strongest member of the party]] while [[MemeticLoser ignoring all of Swallow's accomplishments]].

It should be noted that any campaign setting that contains significant canon [=NPCs=] (such as the ForgottenRealms) may fall victim to this if the GM insists on having them travel with the party. Just as bad is the habit of using them as a DeusExMachina to bail out the party when they screw up, especially if you set up the [=PCs=] to [[HopelessBossFight fail on purpose]].

* ''WebOriginal/FalloutIsDragons'' has a number of [=GMPCs=], two of which are actually party members. They are actually about equal to the player characters and somewhat adored by the players themselves, although only Aurelia has actual stats.

* ''TabletopGame/MaidTheRPG'' is a sendup of the entire {{Meido}} trope in which the [=GMPC=] "Master" can have a powerful artifact known as the [[Manga/DeathNote Desu]] [[MemeticMutation Note]]. ...Do I really need to say it? The players' effectiveness depends on seeking out (or contending for) the Master's approval. On the other hand, the way the rules are set up, Masters tend to be pretty helpless in everyday situations (for the game's definition of "everyday"), and players usually have an explicit power to randomly derail plots they don't like, so it balances out: even the author's self-insert GMPC gets accidentally killed by his maids. Twice.

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[[AC:Film]]

[[AC:Literature]]

[[AC:Video Games]]

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[[AC:Web Original]]

* Mostly averted in ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'', but DM Creator/MatthewMercer will occasionally control an allied NPC (or an absent player character) in certain battles if the story works out that way. Matt also has an infamous story about why he became a Dungeon Master, and it mostly boils down to his previous DM abusing his GMPC's privileges.

* In ''Webcomic/OnePieceGrandLine3Point5'', it's revealed near the end of the Syrup Village arc that the GM designed one back when the group consisted of just Luke and Cory. Their old GM [[KillerGameMaster DM]] is surprised when she learns this, as she knows Cory [[BerserkButton especially hates]] [=GMPCs=].

->This is a load of bullshit. You don't know the first thing about Call of Cthulhu and you sure as Hell have no idea how to run a role-playing game if you think our idea of a good time is being your pet character's FUCKING ENTOURAGE!
-->'''Al Bruno III''', "Achy Breaky Mythos," from the ''Literature/BinderOfShame''.

Admittedly, this kind of character [[TropesAreNotBad can be done well]] - adding flavor to the campaign and immersing the players in the world the GameMaster has set out to create. This kind of GMPC often serves as a NonActionGuy in order to avoid stealing the spotlight from the players, or at least some form of WhiteMage (passive [=GMPCs=] often end up in the 'healing' role).

However, it's all too easy to screw up the GMPC, especially since the Game Master also controls the game world and plot. Thus, the GMPC turns into a plot device to [[{{Railroading}} keep the players on track]], stopping them from going OffTheRails. Even worse, the GM can take too much of a liking to his PC, and the character slowly but surely turns into a MarySue: defeating all the enemies singlehandedly, doing all the cool stuff, and gradually reducing the players to [[SpotlightStealingSquad supporting roles]]. He might also set up the adventure [[ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman to suit his character]], without considering the others.

* ''TabletopGame/MaidTheRPG'' is a sendup of the entire {{Meido}} trope in which the [[{{GMPC}} Master]] can have a powerful artifact known as the [[Manga/DeathNote Desu]] [[MemeticMutation Note]]. ...Do I really need to say it? The players' effectiveness depends on seeking out (or contending for) the Master's approval. On the other hand, the way the rules are set up, Masters tend to be pretty helpless in everyday situations (for the game's definition of "everyday"), and players usually have an explicit power to randomly derail plots they don't like, so it balances out: even the author's self-insert GMPC gets accidentally killed by his maids. Twice.

* ''ComicStrip/KnightsOfTheDinnerTable'' [=BAs=] are generally assistants (Gilead, Knobby Foot) and put-upon {{Butt Monkey}}s whose sole purpose is to be kicked around by the [=PCs=]. The few times he had to resort to using an overpowered {{GMPC}} were done to hastily [[{{Railroading}} put the plot back on the rails]].

* Sir Osric in ''Film/TheGamers: Dorkness Rising'' is a [[ThePaladin Paladin]] and therefore honour-bound to curb the [=PCs=]' amoral-to-homicidal impulses. Ultimately a {{Reconstruction}} as the GM learns to have more faith in his players, while the players become more invested in the story and ''slightly'' less prone to hijinks. [[spoiler:Ultimately, one player character uses her divinely-granted wish to bring Osric back from the dead -- a major milestone in roleplaying for the group.]]

!!!Examples of games requiring {{GMPC}}s:
* TabletopGame/BlissStage's Authority Figure is one of these. Notable as one of the possible results of getting to OneHundredAndEight points of Bliss is for a Pilot to mutiny and take over LaResistance: If this happens, that pilot's player ''must'' become the new GM!
* TabletopGame/MyLifeWithMaster in a nutshell: The PC's in this game are the Igors to the Game Master's Dr. Frankenstein GMPC.
* TabletopGame/MaidTheRPG is a sendup of the entire {{Meido}} trope in which the [[{{GMPC}} Master]] can have a powerful artifact known as the [[Manga/DeathNote Desu]] [[MemeticMutation Note]]. ...Do I really need to say it?
** ''And'' the players' effectiveness depends on seeking out (or contending for) the Master's approval. On the other hand, the way the rules are set up, Masters tend to be pretty helpless in everyday situations (for the game's definition of "everyday"), and players usually have an explicit power to randomly derail plots they don't like, so it balances out.
*** It's notable that the author's self-insert GMPC gets accidentally killed by his maids. Twice.
* The Wild Card in "MeddlingKids", a table-top game for kids based very loosely on mystery shows of the ScoobyDoo kind.
* TabletopGame/NinjaBurger has the dispatcher, a Non Action Guy. His job is to watch the [=PCs=] on closed circuit camera and basically provide them with hints and assistance as needed.
* Not a requirement, but TabletopGame/DontRestYourHead has an optional rule where there is no assigned GM, and whoever gets the best roll in a scene gets to control the story, essentially making them the owner of a GMPC for a short time. You would expect this to cause problems, but considering the crowd that game draws in, it actually makes things quite interesting.
* The TabletopGame/{{Ringworld}} RPG requires players whose characters mutate into [[CursedWithAwesome protectors]] to give up control of the character to the GM. Protectors have superhuman strength and intelligence, but no free will, as they are ruthlessly devoted to ensuring the survival of their bloodline or species.
* TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}} often saddles the players with an 'escort' that is this trope PlayedForLaughs. The opportunity to kill an obnoxiously perfect and completely unwanted [=NPC=] is one of the few things that will cause Paranoia characters to ''cooperate.''

!!!RPG Webseries with {{GMPC}}s
* Gandalf is a pretty hilarious example of the kind of things that go on with them in Webcomic/DMOfTheRings.
* ComicStrip/KnightsOfTheDinnerTable BA's are generally assistants (Gilead, Knobby Foot) ands put-upon {{Butt Monkey}}s whose sole purpose are to be kicked around by the [=PCs=]. The few times he had to resort to using an overpowered {{GMPC}} were done to hastily [[{{Railroading}} put the plot back on the rails]].

* Webcomic/DarthsAndDroids uses this trope when the the regular GM can't make it to the session, and Pete takes over while still playing R2-D2, during the battledroid factory sequence. During the battle, he decides R2-D2 has rocket thrusters, which in the movie, pretty much allowed Artoo to save the day.
** It otherwise averts the trope as the GM has had several {{NPC}}s travel with the party but none of them start behaving like {{PC}}s until a player needs a new character and takes over one of them (Sally does this a lot.)
%%* Eluamous Nailo in ''WebAnimation/UnforgottenRealms''.
* The ''Roleplay/GlobalGuardiansPBEMUniverse'' played with this. While there were loads of [=GMPCs=], they were always characters being run in another [=GMs=] campaign.
* While not quite a fit in this section, the ''Roleplay/MSFHighForum'' has a few of these. Mitchell, current head GM, is known for trying to make sure his stay out of the fight, especially at climaxes. For instance, Michelle was busy fighting her evil twin in an ultimately irrelevant battle (And lost), and includes one in his planned Mahou Galaxy adventure, and Legion-based online game.

* WebOriginal/FalloutIsDragons has a number of [=GMPCs=], two of which are actually party members. They are actually about equal to the player characters and somewhat adored by the players themselves, although only Aurelia has actual stats.
* Mostly averted in ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'', but DM Creator/MatthewMercer will occasionally control an allied NPC (or an absent player character) in certain battles if the story works out that way.
** Matt also has an infamous story about why he became a Dungeon Master, and it mostly boiled down to his previous DM abusing his GMPC's privileges.

!!!Rare Film Example
* Sir Osric in ''Film/TheGamers: Dorkness Rising''.

!!!Literature Examples
* Several in the ''Literature/BinderOfShame''. For example, in "Achy Breaky Mythos," the GM had the players all play academics who had a "mutual friend," the adventurer Dick Marvil. The page quote came after Dick Marvil casually snapped the necks of nightgaunts who the [=PCs=] couldn't even scratch.

!!!Video Game Example
* In the D&D-themed ''Videogame/{{Borderlands 2}}'' DLC ''Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep'', White Knight Roland serves this role, often appearing in the story just because Tina says so. The other players aren't very happy about this, partly because he's more or less a plot device and because [[spoiler:he's a clear sign that Tina is in denial of the real Roland's death. However, the ending shows that his character is meant to be a tribute to Roland, ultimately having a better fate than his ignoble death at the hands of Handsome Jack.]]

!!!Anime/Manga Examples
* A major plot twist in LightNovel/SwordArtOnline is that [[spoiler:Kayaba Akihiko, the BigBad who trapped everyone in TheMostDangerousVideoGame, was actually Heathcliff, leader of the Knights of the Blood guild. Kirito, having wondered where Kayaba had been for the last two years of the game, partially deduced his identity when he realized Heathcliff was in too good a condition after what should have been an exhausting battle for even a high-level player. The other key realization was, as Kirito put it, "Something any kid knows. There's nothing as boring as watching someone else play an RPG." It also turns out that he [[BroughtDownToBadass didn't even need those privileges in the first place]], since he was the one who ''made'' the combat system in the first place and thus had the skill to match and beat [[MasterSwordsman Kirito]] in a straight-up duel without admin status]].
** In the second arc, ''Fairy Dance'', [[DirtyCoward Sugou]] [[BigBad Nobuyuki]] creates an in-game avatar called [[AGodAmI Oberon, the Fairy King]], just to further cement his arrogance and self-importance over everyone [[spoiler:and in the AlternateContinuity ''Infinity Moment/Hollow Fragment'' creates a super-powerful avatar named Alberich to help him keep the players from completing the death game so he can use them for his MindControl experiments]]. He [[KillerGameMaster proceeds to abuse his admin privileges for all their worth to torture Kirito]] [[spoiler:and all of Asuna's friends as well in the latter]] solely to KickTheDog. Of course, ''unlike'' [[spoiler:Kayaba]], he's [[HarmlessVillain pathetically weak combat-wise and once the heroes remove his Game Master privileges]] [[spoiler:thanks to Kayaba's virtual ghost in the novels/anime and Strea in the games]], they proceed to show him [[CurbStompBattle just how pathetic and outclassed he really is]].
* Dark Bakura from the ''[[Manga/YuGiOh Yu-Gi-Oh! manga]]'' is a literal KillerGameMaster that frequently uses his own Player Characters to go against the players in his TabletopRPG campaigns. In the first RPG, Dark Bakura is in control of a [[BigBad Big Bad Evil Guy]] and Ryou Bakura (the good one) manages to save Yugi and his friends from it using his own GMPC. [[spoiler:In the second RPG, Dark Bakura is in control of ''two'', Thief King Bakura and Priest Akhenaden. When Thief King Bakura dies, Akhenaden manages to summon Zorc Necrophades, and the demon replaces the thief as one of Dark Bakura's avatars.]]

!!!Fan Fic Examples
* Cait Sith, in ''FanFic/OffTheLine'', is not only an NPC, but the game's admin, head designer and avatar of the game's creator. He also adds and changes things as long as he helping the player or if it amuses him.
* In ''Fanfic/PoniesAndDragons'', Doctor Whooves had one (a Time Lord, too) when he ran the game. After Vinyl Scratch stabbed the character to death, shoved the body into a magic bag, and dumped it down a well, he took the hint and abdicated the GM seat. Vinyl still occasionally gives him grief for it, though.

* Eluamous Nailo in UnforgottenRealms.

* While not quite a fit in this section, the MSFHighForum has a few of these. Mitchell, current head GM, is known for trying to make sure his stay out of the fight, especially at climaxes. For instance, Michelle was busy fighting her evil twin in an ultimately irrelevant battle (And lost), and includes one in his planned Mahou Galaxy adventure, and Legion-based online game.

* Cait Sith, in ''FanFic/OffTheLine'', is not only an NPC, but the game's admin, head designer and avatar of the game's creator. He also adds and changes things as long as he helping the player or if it amuses him.

* A major plot twist in LightNovel/SwordArtOnline is that [[spoiler:Kayaba Akihiko, the BigBad who trapped everyone in TheMostDangerousVideoGame, was actually Heathcliff, leader of the Knights of the Blood guild. Kirito, having wondered where Kayaba had been for the last two years of the game, partially deduced his identity when he realized Heathcliff was in too good a condition after what should have been an exhausting battle for even a high-level player. The other key realization was, as Kirito put it, "Something any kid knows. There's nothing as boring as watching someone else play an RPG."]]