D&D as humanocetric ... or not?

[JeffB]

No one said that they think of D&D as their therapy.

They stated that they like to play games as a form of escapism. And that restrictions on how they do so my inhibit what makes them enjoy the game.

Then, in response, people have said “D&D isn’t your therapy session” and the like.

So you don't think people engaging in vicarious escapism against issues they might face in real life - classism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and many other dark, horrid things, that modern society perpetuates - is a worthy pursuit? .

In this situation D&D has become a type of therapy for serious real life problems/issues. In this case: See My #1 and 2 above.


Also, if you want to play in your own way- whatever way that is- massive Background, living your real world issues out vicariously through your PC, Playing XYZ race when it's not the right thing for the rest of the group- IOW- going against the grain, is not fair to the game group.

 

[hawkeyefan]

And their desires to play whatever might conflict with the DM.

Unhappy player leaves easy replacement. Unhappy DM leaves no game.

A player can find a new DM just as a DM can find a new player. The game needs both.

I get that many folks view the game as being “the DM’s game”. Okay that’s fine. Just be aware that there are others of us who view the game as “the group’s game”.

 

[hawkeyefan]

In this situation D&D has become a type of therapy for serious real life problems. See My #1 and 2 above.

No it hasn’t. D&D, like any other leisure activity can indeed be therapeutic. It can be an escape for awful things or for mundane things.

What you’re doing is the equivalent of telling the kid at the basketball court who’s there because his home life is awful that he shouldn’t be shooting hoops he should be seeking therapy.

You don’t want a character focused game? Cool. Don’t have a character focused game.

 

[JeffB]

.

What you’re doing is the equivalent of telling the kid at the basketball court who’s there because his home life is awful that he shouldn’t be shooting hoops he should be seeking therapy.

No it's not- in fact I specifically say playing D&D is not the issue- but when it becomes your version of therapy (solely) , you need to reach out.

That kid shooting hoops needs to reach out IN ADDITION TO shooting hoops.

And I'm done with the convo- feel free to argue on and tell me I'm not saying what I'm saying,

 

[Zardnaar]

A player can find a new DM just as a DM can find a new player. The game needs both.

I get that many folks view the game as being “the DM’s game”. Okay that’s fine. Just be aware that there are others of us who view the game as “the group’s game”.

Kinda but there's a DM shortage and player waiting list. I assumed the game was advertised as a Drow game, if you can't get the players obviously run something else.

As I said replacing players is very very easy. They tried AL didn't work.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

A player can find a new DM just as a DM can find a new player. The game needs both.

I get that many folks view the game as being “the DM’s game”. Okay that’s fine. Just be aware that there are others of us who view the game as “the group’s game”.

For me, it’s always been a workocracy. The more committed you are, the more time and efforts you put into the game, the more you get your way.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

No one said that they think of D&D as their therapy. Or as a replacement for needed therapy.

They stated that they like to play games as a form of escapism. And that restrictions on how they do so my inhibit what makes them enjoy the game.

Then, in response, people have said “D&D isn’t your therapy session” and the like.

Sounds like a therapy session.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Well not for nothing but a samurai in ancient Egypt sounds like a potentially cool story. Clash of cultures, stranger in a strange land....plenty to work with.

Unfortunately, it's dictating that the GM must include a place where samurai come from. If such a place exists, cool. If not - I see no reason by the DM should have to include one.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

No it hasn’t. D&D, like any other leisure activity can indeed be therapeutic. It can be an escape for awful things or for mundane things.

What you’re doing is the equivalent of telling the kid at the basketball court who’s there because his home life is awful that he shouldn’t be shooting hoops he should be seeking therapy.
off the court
You don’t want a character focused game? Cool. Don’t have a character focused game.

Exactly. I don't want that kid on my basketball team either - unless he keeps his home issues off the court. If his family life sucks, he shouldn't be playing hoops, he should be working on his family life or trying to find a way out of his family. Problem solving > escapism.

(This is coming from someone who left home at 16.)

I don't mind character-focused games - just not backstory-focused games. Player-driven goals make for great games in my opinion. Backstories are generally full of dead weight.

 

[Zardnaar]

Unfortunately, it's dictating that the GM must include a place where samurai come from. If such a place exists, cool. If not - I see no reason by the DM should have to include one.

That and I'm not a big fan of mixing themes.

Some themes are weird and yeah you will have trouble finding players.

I don't think you'll have trouble with any of the following.

Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Vikings
Drow

Between the MCU and the TV show Vikings would be popular I imagine.