For those who don't play D&D (or its clones), what keeps you engaged with EN World?

[MNblockhead]

I stopped reading most of the RPG news because I have to fight FOMO afterwards. A retirement budget is not the same as a full-time work budget.

Even with a full-time work budget, I've had to avoid impulse buying, esp. with Kickstarters. Living abroad for 5 years and then moving back to an area that was still remote from my main group helps. No point in buying a lot of physical books and games if I'm not playing in person. The other thing that help with still be full-time is that I just don't have that much time to game and I try not to buy games that may look fun but which I know I'll never have time to play.

The media section can be fun when threads don't spin out of control. Since I'm no longer interested in Star Trek, Star Wars, DCU and MCU, it limits the number of threads I want to read. The book and music threads are my favourites.

Last winter, I took a break from all social media for 90 days. It was a necessary but no social media is too harsh. I came back here and limit my number of posts per day. I read the TTRPG section.

Giving up nearly all social media was the best thing I've done for my mental health and productivity. It is on par with giving up smoking. I probably still spend too much time here and on Reddit, but I am careful with the topics I engage.

 

[MNblockhead]

Habit, mainly. Fortunately, EN World is way healthier than most of the rest of social media.

Is it the long-form, discussion forum format, or mostly just better moderation. Come to think of it, I think good moderation is more effective in discussion board systems. I've been on well-moderated Reddits, for example, but it just doesn't seem to have as much of a positive effect as with a traditional discussion board.

 

[Theory of Games]

Game & character design chatter. Unfortunately most of it centers on D&D. There's so many other games.

I won't cap tho: I like how some other ttrpg forums have D&D in its own sub-section with its own threads separated from the general discussion of ttrpgs. I think the other games need their own space because D&D can hog the spotlight. It's cool to discuss Mythras and Delta Green and Mutants & Masterminds and games other than WotC's.

What' really crazy IMO is when another ttrpg is being discussed and people start injecting D&D into those conversations. Like. "Is that really all the conversation you have to offer?" It can be ..... disappointing.

Thank goodness for Discord

 

[Scribe]

Its a decent forum from a usage perspective. Has my news sources (@darjr and @Whizbang Dustyboots ) and I can discuss Shadowdark with folks.

It also has a workout thread, and a pineapple thread, and thats about all I need out of a hobby space.

 

[darjr]

You all. Just when I thought I had escaped y’all drag me back in!!!

Seriously though D&D is still interesting to me, more and more the business side of things. But it’s also still the main touch point of the hobby. So I’m interested. A bit. Not so much the crunch stuff, but I was never much for that anyway.

The other things this forum goes into keep me here too.

 

[Deset Gled]

I'm currently fortunate enough to be in a game, but I've been through multiple stints without. During those times, I often came back to ENWorld for:

• Enjoying a good rules debate.
• Keeping up with new products.
• Industry news.
• Media stuff (movies, books, video games, etc).
• General nerdery discussions.

 

[dbm]

I still play D&D from time to time, even though it isn’t my personally favourite there are others in my group who really enjoy it, and I’m ok with that. Even with that, I rarely frequent the D&D forums here.

This site has a good mix of industry news, and some great general discussion threads. The moderation hits the right level for me 99% of the time and that means I find the overall culture of the board one I can easily fit in to.

I love RPGs, they are my #1 hobby, so having an enjoyable place I can soak in RPG discussions when just browsing the internet is a great resource.

 

[R_J_K75]

...and it keeps me sane...gotta go check my Pasta e Fagioli I have on the stove. Safety first, stay alert, don't get hurt

 

[The Soloist]

Giving up nearly all social media was the best thing I've done for my mental health and productivity. It is on par with giving up smoking. I probably still spend too much time here and on Reddit, but I am careful with the topics I engage.

It can be damaging. Now, I only interact with two laid-back solo RPG Facebook groups. We share tricks of the trade, our journals and help when newbies ask questions. Playing solo doesn't mean being a solitary person!

 

[thullgrim]

Most of what others have said. But I would add the quality of conversation here is higher than what I see on Reddit. And I really, really like the moderation that keeps this place from becoming a cesspool like so many others.

I prefer old school forums to discord. I hate the discord format. It’s impossible to have any kind of in-depth conversation.

I don’t play D&D but still play some D&D adjacent games. I like to stay in touch with what’s happening in that space.