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Why do you play them?

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 2:53 pm
by Krusader
I know that maybe this question has already been posted, but I recently joined this forum. Plus, I post it because I wanna find out if one of my theories is true.

The question:

Why do you enjoy RPGs?

Thanx in advance.

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 3:14 pm
by Yshania
Escapism :) It is like taking part in a good book - one you can control the outcome of in some way...and I suppose, for almost all of us - we look to be a hero somewhere ;)

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 3:18 pm
by Rob-hin
I agree with Yshania, though I don't want to be a hero.
For me it's an escape out of this gray world to a place that is more black and white (good and bad). I would love to go out adventuring and all... better then going to school/work every day :rolleyes:

besides, I LOVE dragons! (don't see those in real life :D )

And no, I don't think this has been posted before.

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 3:41 pm
by Morlock
Originally posted by Yshania
Escapism :)

I totaly agree, which is why I almost always play Morlock the mage- A fighter exists in the real world on a certain level- while a true wizard does not exist on any level.

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 3:44 pm
by Yshania
Originally posted by Morlock


I totaly agree, which is why I almost always play Morlock the mage- A fighter exists in the real world on a certain level- while a true wizard does not exist on any level.
Nicely said :)

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 3:49 pm
by Nippy
My response? Why not? Is the answer.

Our existence on this planet is to short to think about, I want to have fun before I go and I want to experience crazy things. Blowing up Orcs and using wands is a way for me to see things as I want to. :)

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 3:57 pm
by C Elegans
I only play CRPG:s, but these and other computer games I play for fun and relaxation. I would not say I do it as escapism though, it fulfills one of many needs I have and if I had to limit my time more, computer games would be the first thing to go. Happily, I don't have to limit my time that much :D

I love life and this world, and I have a high need for stimulation. Contrary to Rob-hin, I find computer games much more dull, predictable and less of an adventure than everything else in my life. That's why I use them as relaxation :)

If I want an adventure, I look into the mysteries of the human brain, or I travel to some remote place where I've never been before and meet people from another culture. That's adventures to me :)

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 4:04 pm
by Robnark
apart from the already mentioned points, mine is that i can 'compete' against an overwhelmingly more powerful opponent and triumph, satisying my ego, competetive streak, megalomaniac tendencies and love of a good narrative in one fell swoop.

oh, and beat seven shades of stuff outta the o-so-cliched varieties of fantasy enemy - hence my inability to pass up nuking goblins with the same amount of gleeful agression as a dragon :D

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 4:14 pm
by Rob-hin
Originally posted by C Elegans

I love life and this world, and I have a high need for stimulation. Contrary to Rob-hin, I find computer games much more dull, predictable and less of an adventure than everything else in my life. That's why I use them as relaxation :)
Don't get me wrong I love this world too!

But thats what I mean with the black and white of RPG, the good guys always win (unless you play evil ;) ).

I would just like to have more adventuring in real life, sometimes I feel too locked up. The rirual of working 5 days in a week 2 days off working 5 days.....etc.

Though I know not everybody could be a adventurer in the d&d wold. No farmers and all, what would we eat?!?! :D

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 4:22 pm
by fable
I think I play CRPGs not out of escapism, but because I like presents, and always have. The best CRPGs are like presents made out of Chinese puzzle boxes--you go from one delightful discovery to the next, and then you play again, and find some more. I laughed out loud with Minsc in BG2 interfered with one particular multiple choice test I was supposed to answer, and made a very stupid selection. It's details like that which bring a game to life. Too bad I no longer have time to do multiplayer games; I really enjoyed donning a character for those! :)

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 4:30 pm
by C Elegans
Originally posted by Rob-hin
Don't get me wrong I love this world too!

But thats what I mean with the black and white of RPG, the good guys always win (unless you play evil ;) ).
Good! :)

I would just like to have more adventuring in real life, sometimes I feel too locked up. The rirual of working 5 days in a week 2 days off working 5 days.....etc.

Though I know not everybody could be a adventurer in the d&d wold. No farmers and all, what would we eat?!?! :D
Oh, I'm one of those social misfits who have never held a job like that. If you don't like regualar habits, I recommend being a researcher - you make your own schedule and pacing, and nobody think of such things as weekends or holidays - you work when you have things do to and feel inspired :D

And yes, I also realize that if everybody was like me we wouldn't have food on our tables since agriculture demands regularity.

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 4:39 pm
by Yshania
Originally posted by C Elegans

And yes, I also realize that if everybody was like me we wouldn't have food on our tables since agriculture demands regularity.
And subsidies! :D

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 4:43 pm
by C Elegans
Originally posted by Yshania

And subsidies! :D
Yes - especially in Sweden! :rolleyes: ;) :D

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 4:59 pm
by VoodooDali
Originally posted by fable
I think I play CRPGs not out of escapism, but because I like presents, and always have. The best CRPGs are like presents made out of Chinese puzzle boxes--you go from one delightful discovery to the next, and then you play again, and find some more. I laughed out loud with Minsc in BG2 interfered with one particular multiple choice test I was supposed to answer, and made a very stupid selection. It's details like that which bring a game to life. Too bad I no longer have time to do multiplayer games; I really enjoyed donning a character for those! :)
Sums up my sentiments completely. I loved when Jan Jannsen talked to Keldorn about adult diapers...

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 4:59 pm
by Yshania
Originally posted by C Elegans


Yes - especially in Sweden! :rolleyes: ;) :D
So I live in Sweden? :D *checks passport* ;)

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 5:05 pm
by Aegis
For Lack of a good book.

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 5:12 pm
by C Elegans
Originally posted by Yshania

So I live in Sweden? :D *checks passport* ;)
Perhaps you do :D Seriously though, Sweden used to have the highest agriculture subsidies in the EU, but after all the BSE and foot-and-mouth disease, the UK might have passed us. :(

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 5:17 pm
by Yshania
Originally posted by C Elegans


Perhaps you do :D Seriously though, Sweden used to have the highest agriculture subsidies in the EU, but after all the BSE and foot-and-mouth disease, the UK might have passed us. :(
Most probably :( plus, with the sad death (: ( ) of Screaming Lord Sutch - the UK have very little idea as to what to do with the butter mountains, or wine lakes anymore! ;)

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 5:27 pm
by C Elegans
Originally posted by Yshania
Most probably :( plus, with the sad death (: ( ) of Screaming Lord Sutch - the UK have very little idea as to what to do with the butter mountains, or wine lakes anymore! ;)
LOL, his contribution to reduce the wine lakes I very well understand, but the butter mountains? :D

Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2002 5:32 pm
by Yshania
Originally posted by C Elegans


LOL, his contribution to reduce the wine lakes I very well understand, but the butter mountains? :D
Ski slopes for those without snow :D Though his policy to send all people over sixty to Brazil would only have contributed to bringing down the pension costs! :rolleyes: :D