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

[Dr Midnight]

Of late, I've been increasingly reluctant to show up to my regular game. It's been just a string of excuses to have us delve into different dungeons. The dungeons are fun, sure, but I'm all too often wondering "Just why were we doing this again?", "Where is this all leading?", etc.

I'm just having a real problem WANTING to play. It's been an exercise in rolling dice. The other players seem fine with it.

I'm now wondering if it's perhaps that the game's not epic enough, wherein I might be able to say something about it, or if it's just me. I might be burning out. I don't want to drop out, but I also don't want to say something to the DM. People get pretty sensitive in the group that I'm in, and I wouldn't know how to bring the problem up without driving another wedge between me and the others.

I just wanted to see if anyone had anything to say about this. Mostly: Communication is important. Should I approach the group with my problem, or just cope with it as MY problem?

 

[EricNoah]

Communicate! You can't get what you want if you don't ask. There may be others who are having a similar problem and together you might come up with a solution.

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.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I have been sensing this a lot lately. On these boards as well as among my friends. This goes out to all the publishers: Now is a good time to publish a module heavy on role-playing.

 

[MasterOfHeaven]

If you're not having fun anymore, why continue? I like D&D, it's a fun little hobby to spend time on once in a while, but there are plenty of other things more constructive and more enjoyable to do. If you're getting tired of the game, just quit. Maybe you'll come back someday and enjoy it once again, maybe not. But the point is, you're not enjoying it now, so drop it and spend your time on something else you will enjoy.

 

[el-remmen]

What Master of Heaven said. . .

 

[Holy Bovine]

First off definately discuss the problems you are having with the DM. Make sure he/she realizes that you are not putting them down and that you may think this is just a case of D&D burnout. See if they might put together a heavy role-playing session with no or very little combat just to see how it goes. Tell the DM that you just really need a change of pace for a single session. Don't be confrontational - if the DM gets angry or upset reaasure them that you are not 'attacking' them or their game - mention that you actually think the dungeon delving is very well put together but that you need/want a little change next time.

If you do get the heavy role play session and that doesn't help bring the fun back I would suggest taking a break from role playig in general. I had to do this about 5 years ago. I was burned out on role playing in general after yet another group fell apart just before the end of the story arc due to player real life friction. I didn't come back until May 2000. Now I can't get enough! My interest and enthusiasm are higher now than ever before. Granted it was a 3 year layoff from role playing but it allowed me to pursue other interests and I wouldn't change a thing about how I handled it.

Hope that helps.

 

[Patrick-S&S]

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.

Well I know several dudes on the HârnList and the HârnForum who are over fifty, some even sixty, and they still play RPGs. Of course none of them are into dungeon kinda games, like most D&D games, but more on games where you actually roleplay more than roll dice. I am the youngest in my group at 32 and I do not see myself stop gaming. But everyone to his own I guess.

I have been sensing this a lot lately. On these boards as well as among my friends. This goes out to all the publishers: Now is a good time to publish a module heavy on role-playing.

Have you ever tried Hârn or Ars Magica? They are the two foremost, IMO, games where roleplaying is more emphathized than dungeon hacking. You can even play Hârn with D&D using the right guide. Just a thought anyway for those looking for a game with more dept than killing monsters.

There are others I am sure but these are the ones I can think of at the moment. And if that sounds like a boring project why not create adventures on your own? If you have the precious time that is.

 

[Darkness]

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.

What about EGG?

 

[shurai]

Don't be afraid of change. To paraphrase Ghost in the Shell , to remain constant in a dynamic environment is a futile exercise. Eventually you may find that you don't like roleplaying anymore, that you'd rather spend your time rock climbing or playing the piano.

It's scary to find something that we've taken comfort and enjoyment in for a long time become less comforting and enjoyable than it used to be. But that just means that you're growing and changing.

But I agree with other posters here: Mention it to your DM and players, and then if things don't get better, respectfully take a break from it.

 

[Dieter]

Nowadays, gaming is a good outlet for me to hang out with my old college friends. We still have fun, but I think gaming is secondary to just being with my friends.