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[Sigh] Retiring from RPGs. Here's why.
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<blockquote data-quote="Biohazard" data-source="post: 3044452" data-attributes="member: 15086"><p>I started gaming back in 1980 with the D&D red box Moldvay set. Since that time I've played tons of games and systems, up to and including D&D 3.5. But lately (in fact, for the past couple of years), I have to say that my heart just isn't in it. And I've realized why.</p><p></p><p>1. I usually DM. And it's so much work that it just isn't worth the time involved. Preparing a new adventure for my group is, in my experience, akin to creating a new board game for them every session. And once they finish the adventure, it's over, never to be used again (at least not by that same group). </p><p></p><p>2. I don't enjoy being a player, because RPGs are so completely dependent on the personality and experience of the DM. Unlike, say, chess, where the game itself is completely independent of the personality of the players (two people can play chess even if they don't speak the same language, for goodness sake), RPGs are only fun if you have a good DM. I haven't played under a good DM in a long time, and don't have the desire to run out trying to find one.</p><p></p><p>3. Lately I've been getting into something I never thought I'd enjoy: board games. We've been playing Settlers of Catan, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Arkham Horror, Attack! and Risk 2210. I'm finding that board games, for me, are just as much fun as RPGs (often more; see #1 and #2) and are FAR less work to prepare. You simply set up the board and play--your mind free from churning over the various aspects of the game between sessions.</p><p></p><p>4. Video games. I also started video gaming in 1980 with the Atari 2600 and a recently bought a PS2 and a GameCube with tons of cool platform and survival horror games (my two favorite genres). It recently hit me: why spend hours preparing a cool horror scenario for my group as I try to master the rules for new WoD when I can just sit down with a bag of chips and play Silent Hill 3?</p><p></p><p>I haven't been able to answer that question yet.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>In short, it's been a good, long run, but I'm not enjoying DMing anymore. It's more like a job than a game. And I'm definitely not enjoying playing--I usually haven't. It's only fun if you have a great DM, and there ain't enough of those. And in the time that has passed, other things have emerged that are, for me, far more fun and far less work (no work, really): video games and board games.</p><p></p><p>I think that RPGs themselves have changed; contrast the simplicity of OD&D (1974) with the monster that is D&D 3.5, with its two DM's Guides and two PHB's! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite5" alt=":confused:" title="Confused :confused:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":confused:" /> I think it takes a certain kind of person to play, and especially DM, an RPG nowadays. Back in the old days, anyone could do it (and did it)--hell, I was 10 years old when I DMed my first game of Moldvay basic. Today, however, it's a full-time job, almost. You have to be a university student without a family who spends hours of times studying the rulebooks to master the game. I'm 35, married, and a father. And I just don't want to devote the time and energy anymore. </p><p></p><p>Anyway, I bid you all farewell. And maybe one day we'll meet again for a session of Star Munchkin. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> </p><p></p><p>Biohazard </p><p>Old School Gamer, 1980-2006</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Biohazard, post: 3044452, member: 15086"] I started gaming back in 1980 with the D&D red box Moldvay set. Since that time I've played tons of games and systems, up to and including D&D 3.5. But lately (in fact, for the past couple of years), I have to say that my heart just isn't in it. And I've realized why. 1. I usually DM. And it's so much work that it just isn't worth the time involved. Preparing a new adventure for my group is, in my experience, akin to creating a new board game for them every session. And once they finish the adventure, it's over, never to be used again (at least not by that same group). 2. I don't enjoy being a player, because RPGs are so completely dependent on the personality and experience of the DM. Unlike, say, chess, where the game itself is completely independent of the personality of the players (two people can play chess even if they don't speak the same language, for goodness sake), RPGs are only fun if you have a good DM. I haven't played under a good DM in a long time, and don't have the desire to run out trying to find one. 3. Lately I've been getting into something I never thought I'd enjoy: board games. We've been playing Settlers of Catan, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Arkham Horror, Attack! and Risk 2210. I'm finding that board games, for me, are just as much fun as RPGs (often more; see #1 and #2) and are FAR less work to prepare. You simply set up the board and play--your mind free from churning over the various aspects of the game between sessions. 4. Video games. I also started video gaming in 1980 with the Atari 2600 and a recently bought a PS2 and a GameCube with tons of cool platform and survival horror games (my two favorite genres). It recently hit me: why spend hours preparing a cool horror scenario for my group as I try to master the rules for new WoD when I can just sit down with a bag of chips and play Silent Hill 3? I haven't been able to answer that question yet. *** In short, it's been a good, long run, but I'm not enjoying DMing anymore. It's more like a job than a game. And I'm definitely not enjoying playing--I usually haven't. It's only fun if you have a great DM, and there ain't enough of those. And in the time that has passed, other things have emerged that are, for me, far more fun and far less work (no work, really): video games and board games. I think that RPGs themselves have changed; contrast the simplicity of OD&D (1974) with the monster that is D&D 3.5, with its two DM's Guides and two PHB's! :confused: I think it takes a certain kind of person to play, and especially DM, an RPG nowadays. Back in the old days, anyone could do it (and did it)--hell, I was 10 years old when I DMed my first game of Moldvay basic. Today, however, it's a full-time job, almost. You have to be a university student without a family who spends hours of times studying the rulebooks to master the game. I'm 35, married, and a father. And I just don't want to devote the time and energy anymore. Anyway, I bid you all farewell. And maybe one day we'll meet again for a session of Star Munchkin. ;) Biohazard Old School Gamer, 1980-2006 [/QUOTE]
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