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( Another semi-rant, semi-musing. )
So...GMPCs are often bad. (Yes, I'm absolutely sure I'm going to get at least one response saying 'Well I did this similar thing and it worked out Just Fine', and if it did, then good for you.) They're bad largely because they break the first rule of Good GMing: They make the PCs spectators rather than actors. When the GMPC takes the stage, the PCs are reduced to sidekicks. And sadly, many GMs do not notice when an important NPC becomes their own special PC.
How to make sure an NPC doesn't become a GMPC? Mostly, watch your players. When they start really disliking a particular NPC for reasons that don't seem game related (i.e. he's supposed to be an ally, but everyone is trying to ditch him/kill him off), then you need go back and take a good, long look at him.
A couple other tips:
1. Don't make NPCs who are supposed to associate closely with the PCs who have abilities that you would not approve in a PC, or are more than one or two skill/class levels above PCs.
2. Never use an NPC to solve a plot. Not even if you think the PCs will fail without it. Not even if you REALLY think that the scene would be REALLY cool. Actually, especially if you think that.
3. Don't make an NPC without whom the game cannot survive. That's just good advice in general, but 'indispensible' NPCs are even more likely to slip over into the GMPC camp.
So...GMPCs are often bad. (Yes, I'm absolutely sure I'm going to get at least one response saying 'Well I did this similar thing and it worked out Just Fine', and if it did, then good for you.) They're bad largely because they break the first rule of Good GMing: They make the PCs spectators rather than actors. When the GMPC takes the stage, the PCs are reduced to sidekicks. And sadly, many GMs do not notice when an important NPC becomes their own special PC.
How to make sure an NPC doesn't become a GMPC? Mostly, watch your players. When they start really disliking a particular NPC for reasons that don't seem game related (i.e. he's supposed to be an ally, but everyone is trying to ditch him/kill him off), then you need go back and take a good, long look at him.
A couple other tips:
1. Don't make NPCs who are supposed to associate closely with the PCs who have abilities that you would not approve in a PC, or are more than one or two skill/class levels above PCs.
2. Never use an NPC to solve a plot. Not even if you think the PCs will fail without it. Not even if you REALLY think that the scene would be REALLY cool. Actually, especially if you think that.
3. Don't make an NPC without whom the game cannot survive. That's just good advice in general, but 'indispensible' NPCs are even more likely to slip over into the GMPC camp.