Does Adulthood Change the RPG Experience Much?

[Seeker95]

I chose no. The amount of time that I can spend playing is significantly less, but the experience I have when I play has not changed much. Things I thought were "cool" are not so much. But that's about it.

 

[Henry]

For me, yes. The plots are more involved, the themes are darker, and (I have to mention it) the rules are more numerous. All of these make for very different play experiences from back when I was playing AD&D, or Basic D&D.

 

[KaosDevice]

Well I know that way back when, upon reaching 21, I was glad to be able to add that whole 'beer' aspect to my role playing experience.

 

[Wyrm Pilot]

I say yes. Two big reasons:

1. I, like most of the people I play with, am more mature, and there is greater depth to the role-playing involved as well as greater breadth to the plot, options, and in-game environment.
2. When I started playing in 1979, I was 9 and could only play with other people within walking distance of home. Now I can play with people in the next county on a couple of days' notice.

Cheers,
Wyrm Pilot

No, it is not dangerous to confuse children with angels!
-- Quiz Kid Donnie Smith

 

[The Shaman]

Kill monsters? Check. Take stuff? Check.

Nope, no changes.

 

[Caliban]

As a player, I've found that I'm better at optimizing my characters, but less likely to actively disrupt the DM's plot-lines as I've grown older.

As a DM, I've found a desire to focus more on story than on cool combats. (I just haven't found the ability, but I'm working on it.)

 

[Razz]

It sure does. Our D&D sessions have changed from several hours of gaming 3 or 4 times a week to once, and twice if we're lucky, a week and for only a few hours.

Adulthood sucks.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Looking back, I am almost exactly the same as I was when I started playing. My adventure hooks are better, I'm generally a better DM, but this is just due to experience, not being an adult. If I started playing D&D this year instead of back then, I'd probably play exactly the same as I did back then.

 

[Turanil]

I would like to vote both yes and no.

Yes: because as an adult I have so much less opportunities to play.
No: because as an adult I play the same kind of characters as I did when I began to play long ago.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

If nothing else, your tastes and goals change.

Your inner munchkin shrinks progressively with age, and you get exposed to more character archetypes over time- more of which will appeal to you. If your current RPG doesn't allow a certain archetype, you may find yourself experimenting with systems that DO allow you to build that PC.