Roleplaying Philosophy Series:
- RPP-000: RPG Theory Bibliography
- RPP-099: Mad Brew’s Gaming Philosophy
- RPP-100: Defining Game
- RPP-101: Defining Roleplaying Games
- RPP-310: Roleplaying Promotes Wellbeing
- RPP-399: 10 Reasons to Play Games at the Table
- RPP-401: RPG Community
- RPP-450: Roleplaying is a Pastime
- RPP-499: Gamer Elitism
Entertainment is one of the highest grossing industries of today, is probably the United States’ biggest export, and comes in a plethora of forms. Why would someone choose to invest time, energy, and money into a roleplaying game (or a board game) when there are so many other, more popular modes of entertainment? Well here is my list of reasons why:
- 10. Art: How can you avoid not picking up a roleplaying game when it has that stunning illustration on the cover?
- 9. Dice: Can you really resist rolling all those interesting polyhedrons?
- 8. Cleanliness: Roleplaying games give you a reason to clear off that kitchen table you haven’t used recently.
- 7. Support: Participation in the roleplaying game hobby helps maintain a niche industry that could always benefit from more attention.
- 6. Intelligence: Oh yeah, most roleplaying games force you to think and apply logic, so you might just get smarter.
- 5. Stress Relief: Roleplaying games definitely allow for some healthy escapism, allowing you to relax and unwind.
- 4. Creativity: Roleplaying games usually take place in distant realms or alternate realities which teaches you to think outside the box.
- 3. Party: We are social creatures by nature and roleplaying games require social interaction and give us an excuse to visit with friends.
- 2. Replay Value: Every time you sit down and play a roleplaying game it will be different, even if you play the same adventure.
- 1. Price Point: A roleplaying game only requires a minimal initial investment of money, which can be cheaper than a movie & popcorn at the theatre.
Everyone says the economy is a bad thing (and it mostly is), but I think it is an excellent opportunity to “get back to basics” with family and friends. Roleplaying games can be brilliant resources that can help families reconnect at the table and save money. Of course, I cannot be responsible for any addiction one may acquire after playing a game (and therefore causing you to spend obscene amounts of money of supplements).
It’s odd then that I prefer my roleplaying games in a chatroom or gametable app…how can I rename them? Text-Based RPG? Digital Desktop RPG?
Wyatt’s last blog post..Might of Eden: Mythic Fighter
Yeah, I spend a lot of money on DM stuff. 😛 You’re right, though – for the players it’s extremely good value.
Tahakki’s last blog post..My Local Gaming Store – Or Lack Thereof
@Wyatt: I always liked “Virtual Table Top”… and I find it is odd that you would prefer gaming in a digital environment. The social interaction is the primary draw for me, else I’d just play WoW or something. However small a minority it may be, I doubt you are alone in your preference.
@Tahakki: I too spend ridiculous amounts of money on the hobby, BUT I don’t need to.
It’s true. All you really need are the dice and some paper. The rulebooks are probably essential, too.
Battlemats, miniatures, tiles etc. do add a lot to the game, though. Especially awesome (and expensive!) is that Dwarven Forge stuff. I’m still really new to D&D and still haven’t laid hands on a battlemat, but I might buy some Dwarven Forge at some point. It really is too brilliant to pass up, and my players, being very visual video game fans, would probably appreciate it.
Tahakki’s last blog post..My Local Gaming Store – Or Lack Thereof
Social interaction is perfectly possible online…and not what I play these games for anwyay (I don’t use Skype or webcams or anything). I play them for the game and at times for the literary experience. But mostly for the game. I find text online lets me have a better game than over the tabletop, but that’s just me.
I find it kind of disappointing (having read this site a lot) you’d instantly equate it to an MMO or CRPG, but I’ve come to expect that even from the most respected of souls to me.
Wyatt’s last blog post..Might of Eden: Mythic Fighter
@Wyatt: I probably did jump the gun with the MMO quip; I just think that even with all the wizbang gizmos and Web 2.0, something is lost in the transmission. Social interaction on the internet, while instantaneous and awesome in the respect that it can connect two remote locations, just doesn’t feel as warm to me.
There is something to be said about experiencing something with people face to face, in the same space and time. Video (and by extension most reproductions of live experiences) has a way of dehumanizing the content. For instance, we all witnessed the 9/11 tragedy, but I guarantee the people of New York, who saw it first hand, were effected more deeply. And we all know that no record, tape, or CD could ever accurately recount a live performance.
Of course, if you look at it as a literary experience, the social interaction isn’t important and a virtual table top is a great method to experience it.
Now that sounds like the Madbrew I know 🙂
Wyatt’s last blog post..Hard-Hitting Article on Wizard’s PDF Move
Aside from the price point (I’d have clarified that it’s cheaper for the players, being a DM is expensive). I agree whole-heartedly with this list.
Vulcan Stev’s last blog post..Role Playing: where my hobbies meet
@Wyatt: I am happy to have live up to my reputation (and stoked that I even have a reputation).
@Vulcan Stev: I think it depends on which game you invest in. The Savage Worlds core book costs $10 (for PRINT!). If you invest in D&D, then then you need at the PHB & MM (which are whay, like $35 each now?), so there is a significant difference depending on the game.