Is prep time "gaming?"

[The Shaman]

Spinning off from Hussar's design thread...

Is time spent on character, adventure, or setting prep "gaming?" Do you consider creating a new character, or writing an adventure, or developing a setting to be time spent playing the game?

 

[Arnwyn]

For me? Absolutely not. I consider a lot of that "work".

 

[The_Gneech]

It is not itself gaming, no; it's gaming-related activity. Which can be fun, but is not the main event.

-The Gneech

 

[ThirdWizard]

Nope, not one bit. It's usually fun, and it usually makes the gaming even better, but it isn't gaming itself. Unless there are PCs doing things and a DM refereeing, then you aren't gaming in my book.

 

[BryonD]

It is completely different than sitting around the table playing.
So no. It is not gaming.

But I find most of world building to be a very fun and an enjoyable creative outlet.
Stuff I don't enjoy I don't do.
So IF it is A) D&D and B) I'm doing it THEN it is FUN.
But it may not be gaming.

 

[BryonD]

Nope, not one bit. It's usually fun, and it usually makes the gaming even better, but it isn't gaming itself. Unless there are PCs doing things and a DM refereeing, then you aren't gaming in my book.

Exactly.

 

[buzz]

Add me to the chorus; prep != play, ergo prep != "gaming." It's entirely possible to prep for a game/campaign that never actually happens (i.e., that never leads to play, i.e., "Fun Someday"). That's not gaming, IMO.

Of course, I suppose it could depend on how broad you want to define "gaming." I mean, I certainly would not consider prep "roleplaying," as I define roleplaying as what actually happens at the table. But if we consider "gaming" to mean the hobby in general, and prep is certainly part of the hobby in general, then I could see including prep as "gaming."

 

[WayneLigon]

Is time spent on character, adventure, or setting prep "gaming?" Do you consider creating a new character, or writing an adventure, or developing a setting to be time spent playing the game?

No, not at all.

 

[Rothe]

My wife thinks so.

 

[shilsen]

It is not itself gaming, no; it's gaming-related activity. Which can be fun, but is not the main event.

-The Gneech

What he said, with emphasis on the fact that it's a whole lot of fun (at least it is for me).