My answer? A simple no.
With 17 years of GM'ing experience in games such as D&D, Vampire, Champions, Star Wars, AD&D, etc, I have yet to run a game where I can say that I was 100% impartial to the outcome of the session, but then again, I don't believe that any good GM can be. A GM's primary goal is to offer his players a fun, challenging session, while enjoying his/herself. Complete impartiality all the time is not only next to impossible, but detracts from the game as a whole. The GM should run his/er scenerio like a work of literature. The game should have plot, theme and various interesting encounters, but with no definite ending, per say. The story line should flow smoothly, with just enough obstacles to prove challenging to the players, but still building up a climactic ending in which the players must make all the final decisions. It must be noted that along the way there are times when the GM must fudge a bit to keep the game moving, keep the players on track, or to modify an unforeseen event which affects the entire structure of the scenario. I do not mean this to indicate that players should be denied free will! They must always make the choices, but it's up to the GM to be sure the game doesn't fall apart.
In addition, I believe there isn't one GM who hasn't taken a PC or NPC as a favorite. Sometimes a player will come up with a character that is just perfect. S/he role-plays it well, it has a great background, fits into your world perfectly, and has the makings of a truly heroic figure. Needless to say, you wouldn't let it die from a giant centipede bite because of one missed save! Hell no. One day it will die, but in a way befitting it's role, as any epic hero does. You would come up with fitting alternative to death, possibly leading to a new adventure, ( In one of my scenarios, the above did happen. The hero was rendered sterile by the poison; a fate worse than death for a Baronet with no heir. A search for a cure was the next adventure.) In ending, let me just quote something that I heard when first GM'ing:
Remember that the players expect a story - excitement - adventure - intrigue - action and, above all, a good time. Don't let this all end with one lousy die roll. That's what the GM screens are for; to hide your rolls from the players. After all, the roll isn't important, it's what you do with it.
Why should a GM have to be objective??
Gaming is supposed to be fun. How often have you been sitting in front of your terminal cursing because your Adventuring Character has been killed in the same spot the gazillionth time, you don't get the point of a riddle, or are stuck some other way...
And the computer should be the most objective GM possible.
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