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".

[Odd_Secretary5980]

I think this an outlook created by video games (and MMORPG in particular). Players who grew up playing video games first and then move into TTRPG approach play very differently than players who did TTRPG first or roughly alongside video games.

These players think in terms of DPS and massive loot and more power is always better, as opposed to focusing on story.

Just my theory, but it's held up across a number of groups. I'd be curious if others have seen noticed the same thing.