Why Do You Game?

[Snoweel]

In his book Robin's Laws of Good Gamemastering, Robin Laws broke gamers down into categories according to the emotional kick they receive from gaming.

Emotional reward is essentially the only reason people engage in recreational activity, including gaming.

These groups, according to R. Laws are:

Label Emotional kick

Power Gamer Tangible (ie. statistical) improvement of PC.

Tactician Avoidance of risk, circumvention of challenge.

Buttkicker Participation in martial conflict.

Method Actor Immersion in roleplaying of PC.

Storyteller Participation in sweeping narrative.

Specialist Fulfilment of particular character role (most common is that of the ninja - ie. being stealthy, but others include chivalrous knight/paladin, mystical princess, etc.)

Casual Gamer Hanging out with friends.

And obviously, people can belong to more than one category.

So why do you game? You may choose more than one option and remember, this about your emotional kick, not your method of play.

 

[Sanackranib]

In his book Robin's Laws of Good Gamemastering, Robin Laws broke gamers down into categories according to the emotional kick they receive from gaming.

Emotional reward is essentially the only reason people engage in recreational activity, including gaming.

These groups, according to R. Laws are:

Label Emotional kick

Power Gamer Tangible (ie. statistical) improvement of PC.

Tactician Avoidance of risk, circumvention of challenge.

Buttkicker Participation in martial conflict.

Specialist Fulfilment of particular character role (most common is that of the ninja - ie. being stealthy, but others include chivalrous knight/paladin, mystical princess, etc.)

Casual Gamer Hanging out with friends.
QUOTE]
those all apply. its social, I'm good at character creation and developement
but the main reason you didnt even list: I genuinely like the feel of my dice in my hand and could roll them for hours.

 

[Snoweel]

Is it too late to edit the poll?

 

[Creamsteak]

I clicked yes to all except Method Actor. The definition that I'd use for a Method Actor isn't the kindest one, so I chose to leave that one blank. Not that I'm against getting into character and finding the characters motivations, but I don't think you should ever place an "I" around a character.

 

[d4]

i'm pretty much the textbook definition of a buttkicker. i game as stress relief and being able to kick lots of monster butt in combat is why i'm at the table.

character improvement, immersive storytelling, identification with the character, puzzling out tactics... everything is secondary to what is basically a power fantasy.

 

[Dark Jezter]

Back where I come from, we refer to "method actors" as "drama queens."

I voted power-gamer, although if I had paid attention and realized that this was a multiple choice poll, I would have added Butt-Kicker, Tactician, and Casual Gamer to the list as well.

 

[Thanee]

Well, I game because it's fun. That option is missing up there.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

Voted all categories.

I like character improvement (power gamer, tho not in the traditional sense, I do not min/max to the fullest and always make character choices based on character concept and background, altho keeping an eye for the mechanical side as well, of course), as well as tactical and intellectual challenges (tactician). I like my share of combat (butt-kicker), as long as it doesn't evolve into pure tabletop-style combat without any real connection to the campaign and I also enjoy roleplaying (method actor) and a good story, where the PCs participate (storyteller). Furthermore it's cool, if your character fulfills a certain archetype and has a role in the party (specialist). On top of it all, I really like to hang out with my friends (casual gamer), they are cool.

Bye
Thanee

 

[d4]

Well, I game because it's fun. That option is missing up there.

no, the question could be restated as "What is it about gaming that you find fun?"

we all have fun gaming or we wouldn't be doing it. the categories are a way to try to figure out what different things people find fun about gaming.

 

[Kanegrundar]

I game for the fun of it and for the creative outlet. That said, I have to say I'm a butt-kicker type of gamer. I rarely play support roles in combat. I an either in the front lines hacking foes to pieces or in the back blasting them to pieces! I guess there are some that will roll their eyes at this, but who cares? I love combat in my games. Role-playing is all well and good, and I try to give each character a good background and I try to stay in character, but I'm mostly in this hobby for the violence!!!

Kane