Asking myself "Why?" about gaming lately...

[Plane Sailing]

DrM,

There was a point many years ago when I felt just like you describe - I kept seeing myself sitting round a table rolling dice and none of it made sense.

In an effort to break free from this, I decided to try a brand new character who was the antithesis of the normal characters which I play. Named Jerel the Reckless he would take the most reckless options available at all times, and I didn't worry about whether he would die or not (normally I play the characters as "me", in that they tend to be somewhat cautious!).

I had a great time with him, and it drew me back into gaming again. Basically it brought the fun back into it for me.

---

I also ought to mention that between 1989 and 1999 I lived in a town with no RPGs, and during that time only played a game about once every 6 months... although I did lots of writing and games "thinking". Now I'm back with a great group of gamers and since 3e appeared I've been loving it again. A break isn't a bad thing for a while.

---

Lastly - have a word with the DM in private if you can. I've had one player drop out of my campaign because he wasn't really enjoying it (the other players reckon that he just wasn't seeing things go his own way...) but I wish that he had spoken to me about it earlier, so that I could try to amend things and ensure that it remained "fun" for everyone..

- There are three ideas from my own experience.

Cheers

 

[Piratecat]

I took a break in college and only played during the summers; later, I took a break while in grad school. Worse things have happened.

Most importantly, Tom, I get the sneaking suspicion that you don't hide it well when you aren't having fun. I remember you telling me about a disastrous Deadlands game. I think you're best off taking a break from that group for a while, and then trying out a totally different game system with other people.

 

[Psion]

Have you ever tried Hârn or Ars Magica? They are the two foremost, IMO, games where roleplaying is more emphathized than dungeon hacking.

I am wondering why anyone thinks that D&D isn't capable of more than dungeon hacking? That's the silliest notion I have ever heard, especially where the much more skill-emphasized 3e is concerned. Our group doesn't to anything special -- it's a fairly normal group on a fairly normal epic quest. Yet the interpersonal interactions of the party are a key point in the game. It doesn't take Harn or Ars to make that happen. It is very much system independant. Roleplaying is in the group. If you want more roleplaying, you will have to nudge the group that direction or find a new group.

If the nature of the books is what you are concerned about, take a look at this thread on old RPGnet. It shows how the book you hold in your hand is riddled with less tactical material.:

http://www.rpg.net/pf/read.php?f=5&i=61889&t=61846

 

[Patrick-S&S]

I am wondering why anyone thinks that D&D isn't capable of more than dungeon hacking? That's the silliest notion I have ever heard, especially where the much more skill-emphasized 3e is concerned.

I should have made myself clearer since you are right. I was recalling to the many adventures that I have bought from say WotC that are mostly about dungeon crwaling, hacking or what you may call it. I agree to what you are writing since I know that several friends of mine do game D&D without much dungeonering at all. My point was that the new 3E rules seems to put the touch on what makes the original poster bored of the game. It does not have to be like that at all. The d20 system is universal almost. I should know since we are working on a d20 Hârn Guide.

Our group doesn't to anything special -- it's a fairly normal group on a fairly normal epic quest. Yet the interpersonal interactions of the party are a key point in the game. It doesn't take Harn or Ars to make that happen. It is very much system independant. Roleplaying is in the group. If you want more roleplaying, you will have to nudge the group that direction or find a new group.

Yes I agree to this as well. The rules are not the same as the settings/adventures. You could use D&D in a world or setting where more gaming is directed to "roleplaying" as much as you could use other rule systems in a setting with a lot of dungeon hacking. It is how the GM and the world is laid out that matters. But I must say from what I have seen, the current d20/D&D line seem to be quite into hacking and gaining levels. Nothing wrong with that but there are other ways to game a RPG, and I do both (well soon anyway). I just used the two settings mentioned to make a comparsion to the two dozen or so modules I have bought with a d20 stamp on it.

edit: typo

 

[alsih2o]

IF you wanna continue, draw up a campaign with more of what you like and present it to your group...

 

[Carnifex]

Well, I've basically taken the last year off fo face-to-face roleplaying, apart from a very short but fun 1-to-1 game with a friend in which his PC was a githyanki spelljammer privateer I have been rp'ing online, using the messageboard format - but now I am absolutely itching to get back into a face-to-face game since I'm brimming full of ideas that I can't fit into my online game.

Of course, a change is as good as a rest, as they say.

In your case, it sounds like you think the problem is a difference in playing styles, but fear it to be something more; try changing group or something, seek a more rp'ing based experience, and if it still doesn't do it for you, don't be afraid to take time off.

 

[Pyske]

I'll second (of fourth, or whatever) the notion that you should tell the DM that you're having difficulty.

What I would add, 'though, is that you should bring something to the table! Far more helpful than "I'm bored!" is "I'm bored, can we do this instead?"

Ask the DM if he could run an adventure where you have to convince the town guards that you're not bandits,... you found the loot in a dungeon. Honest.

Or suggest that it would be really neat if he could bring in your character's meddling step-mother, who doesn't approve of adventuring, and is trying to fix you up with someone so you'll "settle down".

Any idea you bring to the table is better than a simple complaint, plus it helps soften the criticism. In fact, if your DM is particularly willing to go with the idea, you may not even need to voice the criticism at all ('though I would still do so, since it is best if the DM knows what you don't enjoy).

. . . . . . . -- Eric

edit: typo

 

[WSmith]

I hate to say this but I see a day coming when my interest may fade out. It may be an inevitability of getting older.

I don't think it is because Eric said he is getting older, (like many would point out, there are gamers well into their sixties) but I think what Eric means, and he can correct me if I am wrong, is the external stimuli that comes with getting older.

Remember the summers during grade school? Not only could you play D&D all day long, you had time for a good game of kickball, a few hours of Atari, a bike ride to the local McDonald's to get a Big Mac, and all of this was done with all your friends. It was wonderful to have all the time in the world and no responsibility, sans making you bed or such.

Fast forward about twenty years and introduce having to pay your own bills. The amount of leasure time has just plumetted. You have to work to get money to live on your own. Some jobs require a great deal of work after hours or training and schooling. This takes time.

Now, you want to make more money, so you take on more responsibilties at work which take even more free time away.

Now, throw in a spouse and children. They need mucho attention.

Your old gaming buddies are in the same situation as you.

I think that is what Eric is refering to when he says "getting older."

 

[Patrick-S&S]

I think that is what Eric is refering to when he says "getting older."

Yes of course. Your post was fun to read because that is exactly what it was to be young. However you can still game when you get older and since the sessions will be farer between each, the enjoyment will be so much greater. Of course one could become a grumpy old man and stop gaming altogether.

edit: typo again

 

[Yuan-Ti]

I hate to say this but I see a day coming when my interest may fade out. It may be an inevitability of getting older.

Is this the same guy who wrote a few days back about how excited he was to have 8 or 9 sessions scheduled for the month of June?