Does "Fantasy Role Playing" attract people who have a hard time in reality?

[mhacdebhandia]

Do you think that when you're more comfortable/confident with who you are, that you don't feel the need/desire to play some "other person" as much?

I don't believe that questions of whether or not my character is similar or different to myself ever necessarily come into it.

I think it's actually odd to care very much one way or another whether or not you're playing someone like or unlike yourself.

In other words, I don't think well-adjusted gamers ever think about it much, if at all.

 

[Warren Okuma]

I was thinking about this today.

"Does 'fantasy role playing' attract people who have a difficult time in reality?"

As a quantum 7 denizen, I feel it is my duty to tell you that there are infinite realities, therefore, favoring one reality over another makes you a realitist and will limit your consciousness. You should expand your consciousness.

One reality is for wimps.

 

[mara]

I was thinking about this today.

"Does 'fantasy role playing' attract people who have a difficult time in reality?"

Does it attract people who are passive aggressive, or who would like to control EVERY aspect of their lives?

I understand this is not a blanket statement. That I'll receive responses that start off with "not everybody in D&D is ..." or "there are some people ..."

But instead of playing the line, do you think there is an identifiable amount, that is large enough to warrant this observation?

... just thinking.

My first DM liked to make up for his failure at life through gaming. The female characters ended up impregnated with twins constantly (as elves!) and one vampire game became very unpleasant as he started using racial stereotypes as "jokes." He eventually possessed a PC with one of his charicatures, which left the player with nothing to do. We eventually figured that he felt entitled as a white male to success, and when he didn't get it, he started railing at minorities who were taking his 'place' in life, based on some out of game conversations. Still not sure what was up with the elven twin bonanza, but it led me to stick to cross-gender roleplay lest I have to invent Power Word: Abortion to prevent having my characters highjacked.

He was the worst case of crazy gamer I've encountered, but I've encountered enough sexism in gamer culture to be annoyed.

 

[PwrMnky]

My first DM liked to make up for his failure at life through gaming. (EDIT) We eventually figured that he felt entitled as a white male to success, and when he didn't get it, he started railing at minorities who were taking his 'place' in life, based on some out of game conversations. (EDIT)

HOLY (profanity) ....

See, I have come across DM's who don't feel fullfilled in life, and love to have the control in game. They are respected, make the decisions, and can be better than you just because they choose to. I HAVE come across that.

BUT

I also work with Sheriff's ... and this morning I had to get someone out of our parking lot because he was taking off his clothes and directing traffic. Like I said before, those who are insecure will look for control and security in whatever they can. I heard a story of someone who lost their marriage due to WoW.

I guess it is also a point of self reflection ... in game I like to play the team player and do weird things. But I'm like that way in life too. Thanks for the dialogue guys and ladies ... it's been insightful!

 

[helium3]

I think it attracts systems thinkers.

Aspergers syndrome is a continuum, with autism and it's savants who specialise in an extremely discrete system at one end, and I suspect that many of those called geeks and nerds are somewhere on that continuum.

I've heard people mention this Aspergers Syndrome on numerous occasions. Pray tell, who is Aspergers and why is it a Syndrome?

 

[Prince of Happiness]

I've heard people mention this Aspergers Syndrome on numerous occasions. Pray tell, who is Aspergers and why is it a Syndrome?

It's one of things that everybody has all of a sudden, like fibromalgyia and hypo-glycemia.

 

[papastebu]

It's one of things that everybody has all of a sudden, like fibromalgyia and hypo-glycemia.

When you say, " ....all of a sudden," do you mean it's the latest fad in illness, or that it comes upon one abruptly and without warning?
I am curious, because ADD, which has plagued me all of my life, but which I only became aware of about six years ago, is called one of these "fads", and has been--tenuously--linked to autism.
Anyway, I have been a gamer for a very long time. I am not of the opinion that all gamers are true escapists, because many of them that I know have lives, families, and interact with what is called "reality" in most places I have been. Having said that, any act in which a person pretends to be something that they are not is either a deception or an escape.

Gaming attracts a cross-section of people, just like every other interest. You might just as well ask, "How many football players are prone to anger-control issues?", because the answer would be about the same.
Had a bad day? Make a fighter, go kill sumpn'.
Like to be in control? DM!
Lacking mystery in your life? Make a wizard. Cast magic.
Read a book.
Go to a movie.
All of these things are valid escapes. I say valid, because everyone needs them, whether they are obsessive or otherwise.
It's called recreation for a reason: It RE-CREATES you.

 

[megamania]

Because of the nature of role playing games....yes.

It allows one to live out their wishes and fantasies while the "real" world tumbles on.

DMs are more towards story tellers / control people. As a DM I thourghly enjoy the storytelling part but roll my eyes when players want to do something that will "affect" my world.

But that is all a part of it. Sharing.

 

[William drake]

Speak for yourself; I haven't met anyone like that. I believe they exist, but let's not confuse anecdotal impressions with knowing the answer to PwrMnky's statistical question.

Well, you might have made my point.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

I've heard people mention this Aspergers Syndrome on numerous occasions. Pray tell, who is Aspergers and why is it a Syndrome?

Asperger syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder on the autistic spectrum . . . It is typically characterized by issues with social and communication skills . . . Assistance for core symptoms of AS consists of therapies that apply behaviour management strategies and address poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness.

(Taken from the Wikipedia article linked to above.)