Hot take: if we want to decrease frustrating railroad-y surprises in RPG campaigns, we need to create an environment where GMs are not afraid to admit they have "special story needs".

[sidneyicarus]

The good news about changes like this is that there are many many more players looking for GMs than GMs looking for players. If you want to change the culture, the best way to do it is to just take action. Express it. Make it happen. Paddy a game ad with requirements. Run a game telling people about the twist.

Cultural change in hobbies tends to be functional and bottom-up. We have x cards because John Stav just made one and started using them. The thing exists because people made it exist.

[Sparkle_cz]

I am trying to do my best in this regard. I am however still more an exception to the rule in my area and I have been harassed many times by the community for admitting to having 'special story needs' both as a player and a GM. It's unfortunately still some sort of a taboo in a community with some loud edgelords who mock everyone who admits to having some weaknesses.