In its most formal sense, the threefold model claims that any single gamemaster (GM) decision (about the resolution of in-game events) can be made in order to further the goals of drama, simulation, or game.
As a consequence, a player or GM can characterise their preferred gaming style as a point on this triangle, or (since no real precision is implied) in words such as "mostly gamist" or "dramatist with a bit of simulationist" or "right in the middle".
The threefold model was developed through a wide series of discussions during the summer of 1997 in the rec.games.frp.advocacy Usenet group.
Mary Kuhner developed many of the key ideas while John H. Kim later organized and expanded the model.
[5][6] It was also the inspiration for a related model known as "GNS theory", which has been articulated by Ron Edwards on the roleplaying discussion site The Forge.