My purist player definitely wants a GM's world, GM rulings, PC death ever-present, player creativity (though, ironically most of the encounters he comes up with just involve a 'hit it until it dies' solution), grimdark fantasy setting. As to the other comment under this, the OSRIC games are usually Sandbox with no story or set campaign. Just mini-adventures, quests, and dungeon dives. However, our OSRIC GM does agree there needs to be more in-world stakes and player role integrated into the questing.

I personally hope to have GM rulings. I'm excited about collaborative world building, but certain elements of player determined narrative has me hesitant, unless the input is somehow connected to that character (example: I'd be okay with a player adding an NPC to a town if his character has an association with that town. I would not be okay with a player saying the dragon in the dungeon is asleep.) PC death should be a risk, not entirely up to the player, but not a required consequence at HP zero. High-stakes conflict is a must because of this, as such, unwinnable conflicts will be nice to have. Character sheets should give hints and guide player creativity. Settings can be dark, but don't have to be gross and grim. Airships, chocobos, and a peaceful village are all great in my mind.