None game use of RPG skills

[rhythmsoundmotion]

I am curious if people have used their skills developed in RPGs for non gaming purposes.

• When people talk to me about how likely something is to happen I can sometimes spot when things can’t possibly be true.
• I can predict some fictional stories (what choice did the villain really have?)
• My empathy is stronger.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I can’t say, exactly. A lot of the skills I use in playing RPGs are ones I was developing before I discovered the hobby.

I can definitely say that playing RPGs- especially the development of characters- enhanced my creativity in general and REALLY improved acting chops…but I can’t point at how that got applied in other parts of my life. I mean, it probably did; I just can’t isolate when.

 

[Reynard]

I can't say whether GMing is responsible for my ability to speak, hold attention, and teach/guide, or if I GM because I have and enjoy using those skills. But I will say that RPGs helped make me an avid reader, and reading has made me who I am.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I've killed two dragons.

 

[mekhawretch]

I feel like it's helped my teaching/public speaking skills, but I had also been doing that for a bit anyway before I started DMing again. They seem to be practices that reinforce each other - I've noticed it's pretty common for forever-DMs to also be teachers in some capacity in another part of their life.

 

[sevenbastard]

I could ramble on about the math, reading comprehension, interpersonal skills, effective communication, adaptability, improve ect.

But let's get to brass tact. the most valuable life lessons are from the adventures.

Every 90s Shadowrun adventure: your employer didn't tell you all the information, isn't paying you fairly, and plans to screw you over even if you do a good job.

Keep on the Boarderland: the establishment want you to grind away (in the Caves of Chaos because it benifits them for you to keep the lowerclass humanoid population down) and buy there gear. But if you really want to get rich don't fall for the trick and go after the real villian the greedy merchants and government (the Keep itself has more loot than the Caves. You want to level sack the Keep).

 

[TheLibrarian]

Absolutely. Its helped me in the following areas at work, in my home life, and helping to run our local con.

• Public speaking
• Improvisational speaking
• Problem solving/MacGuyvering solutions
• How to manage people, both upwards and down
• Conflict deescalation/customer service
• Planning & Logistics
• Event planning... Good lord... the event planning skills I've learned being the sole person who can coordinate a group.
• Technical writing
• Creative writing
• Trend forecasting/scenario development
• Small unit tactics
• Disaster preparation and resiliency

 

[Oryzarius]

I learned how to calculate percentages fluently from playing AD&D (1e). It also produced some opportunities for setting up algebra and geometry problems, and continues to encourage practice in speedy mental math (adding dice rolls, halving totals, etc.). D&D and Traveller also spurred learning about spreadsheets and computer programming. Then there's the usual impetus to learn more about real-world language, literature, history, engineering, and science.

I learned a lot about desktop publishing (first Word and PageMaker, later InDesign) by creating RPG game aids, and extended those skills into other areas. DMing has taught me how to describe things succinctly and efficiently, but also with engaging language. Speedy decision-making and committed follow-through are other skills that come with refereeing.

Note-taking and organization are clearly areas where skills could transfer. As others have mentioned, planning (from logistics to event choreography) and strategy/tactics are also possible benefits. And "soft skills" like teamwork, brainstorming, negotiation, and conflict resolution can clearly cross from gaming into other areas of life.

 

[Kaodi]

I think that D&D improved my printing/handwriting skills at the formative time for such things.

 

[DrunkonDuty]

Cat wrangling skills.