ChatGPT writes “ Are You Too Emotionally Invested in the Success of Your Favorite Tabletop RPGs?”

[rhythmsoundmotion]

Are You Too Emotionally Invested in the Success of Your Favorite Tabletop RPGs?

For many players and creators, tabletop RPGs (TTRPGs) are more than just games—they're deeply personal. Your favorite TTRPG is your creative outlet, a tool for bonding with friends, and perhaps even a gateway to storytelling mastery. Naturally, when a system you love doesn't get the recognition you believe it deserves—or worse, receives criticism—it can feel like a personal attack. But how much is this emotional investment actually serving you or the hobby you love?

Here’s the truth: the opinions of others and the marketing of competitors aren’t shaping the landscape as much as you might think. Let’s explore why.

---

1.Your Favorite Game’s Legacy Is Bigger Than the Latest Debate

If you’ve spent any time on forums or social media, you’ve likely seen heated debates about which systems are "better." One group claims Dungeons & Dragons dominates the market unfairly, while others argue smaller indie games deserve more spotlight. It’s easy to feel like these discussions are existential threats to the games you cherish, but they’re not.

The success or failure of a TTRPG rarely hinges on what the broader community says online or how heavily another company markets its products. Systems like Call of Cthulhu, Fate, and Blades in the Dark thrive in their niches, regardless of whether they outsell giants like D&D. Why? Because dedicated fans play, talk about, and share them with others.

Marketing trends and public discourse may ebb and flow, but a good game with a solid community creates its own legacy. A game doesn’t need to “win” the spotlight to succeed—it needs to find the people who love it.

---

2. Criticism Doesn’t Erase the Value of Your Experience

It’s common to bristle when someone criticizes a TTRPG you adore, but critiques aren’t erasers. They don’t invalidate the fun you’ve had, the stories you’ve told, or the connections you’ve made.

In fact, most criticism comes from people who care enough to engage. A poor review of your favorite indie game or an influencer's dismissal of your beloved OSR system might sting, but it doesn’t change what makes that game special to you. The stories at your table are what matter most, not how others perceive the system behind them.

Instead of seeing criticism as a threat, treat it as a conversation. Sometimes, it reveals areas where a system can grow or highlights differences in playstyle. Let your favorite game stand on its strengths, not in opposition to every critique.

---

3. Competitor Marketing Is Less Relevant Than It Feels

The TTRPG market has grown exponentially in recent years, with publishers rolling out more aggressive marketing campaigns to grab your attention. While this can lead to frustration (why is everyone hyping System X when System Y is clearly better?!), it’s important to recognize that marketing only goes so far.

What ultimately matters is the play experience. A slick ad campaign might bring new players to a system, but it won’t make them stay if the mechanics, theme, or community don’t resonate with them. Similarly, games with limited marketing can thrive through word-of-mouth and community passion (Mothership and Troika! are great examples).

Your favorite game doesn’t need to out-market its competition to succeed. Its success comes from people playing, enjoying, and sharing it—not from being the loudest voice in the room.

---

4. Your Emotional Energy Is Better Spent Building, Not Defending

When we tie our identity to a TTRPG, it’s tempting to defend it at all costs. But constantly battling detractors or lamenting competitor success is exhausting—and ultimately, it’s wasted energy.

Instead, focus that emotional investment on building something positive. Run more games of your favorite system. Introduce it to new players. Write homebrew content, share stories online, or join communities of like-minded fans. This not only strengthens the game’s player base but also reinforces the reasons you love it in the first place.

---

5. The Hobby Thrives on Diversity, Not Rivalry

It’s easy to view other games as competitors, but TTRPGs aren’t a zero-sum market. The diversity of games is what keeps the hobby vibrant. A player who starts with D&D might eventually discover Fate, fall in love with narrative-driven games, and bring that energy back to their D&D table. Someone who experiments with Lancer could find inspiration for homebrewing mechs into Blades in the Dark.

By supporting the diversity of TTRPGs—even those you don’t play—you’re helping the entire hobby thrive. A rising tide lifts all ships, and the broader success of TTRPGs benefits everyone, including your favorite system.

---

Conclusion: Let the Dice Fall Where They May

Your emotional connection to your favorite TTRPG is valid, but it’s worth examining whether that investment is fueling joy or frustration. The opinions of others and the marketing of competitors don’t define the success of your game—your experiences do.

So the next time you see a critique that stings or an ad for a game you don’t like, take a step back. Focus on what you love about your favorite system and how you can share that love with others. At the end of the day, the tabletop is big enough for everyone—and your game’s place in it is secure as long as people keep playing.

 

[GMMichael]

You might put the whole post in forum

quotes

to show that you had no input into this post. Or mention in the body of the post that "this is all ChatGPT's work."

 

[rhythmsoundmotion]

Write an article “Are you too emotionally invested in the success of your favorite tabletop RPGs? How the opinions of others and marketing of competitors is not changing things as much as you think!”

My prompt

 

[Umbran]

While you are, of course, free to work with generative AI as you wish, EN World is dedicated to people having discussions.

Labelling it is totally the right thing to do, but in the end, we aren't interested in hosting the output of a machine, just 'cause. Maybe save it for when you, as the human/sentient being, have something of value to add.

 

[rhythmsoundmotion]

My beginners mistake. I thought it was an interesting example of an AI generating a nuanced and informational response (tons better than previous generations of ChatGPT.) But the complete lack of response quickly told me I had mistaken the appeal of the article. I was happy but a little embarrassed to see it die. However, I don’t see any additional interest in these post. So no future plans of mine involving me posting these AI articles.