Immersion and role-playing in the 1970s. "As a player, state what you (the character) are trying to do, and the referee (who knows the rules) will tell you what is actually happening," Greenwood explains. As late as 1981, Greenwood still knew well the roots of this practice in free Kriegsspiel, and was aware that that it had attracted controversy, as referee decisions could seem "arbitrary" to players. And indeed, this approach to role playing has always had its critics.
This was in an article titled “Players don’t need to know all the rules.”
I always assumed that they probably should, but it seems to work if they don’t, but after seeing this idea voiced (and voiced fifty years ago), I now think this is right. Why should they? Is it going to make it any more interesting? For most people, I think the answer is no.