Why Do You Game?

[Gez]

Everything but specialist and method actor.

Although some may say I'm the specialist grumpy.

 

[Elf Witch]

I put storyteller and method actor. I prefer a game with a big sweeping story that is sometimes bigger than the characters. If I crawl through a dungeon I want it to be connect somehow to the overall story.

I also like to think how my character thinks. I want each character I play to be different and to respond to the world in a different way.

 

[Dark Jezter]

a "specialist" is someone who always, always plays the same type of character.

for example: in a modern day scenario, he plays a ninja. in a sci fi game, he's playing the stealthy intrusion cyborg. in a fantasy game, he's playing the assassin-rogue with mystical abilities. in a superhero game, he's playing a super-ninja. in a Western game, he asks if he can play a ninja who's migrated over from Japan.

or the guy who always plays honorable, law-abiding, dispensers of justice, regardless of campaign or scenario.

or the girl who always plays cat-beings.

that's what he means by a "specialist."

Yep, I know one of those. There's a guy in my campaign who always makes elf ranger PCs when we play D&D. Occasinally he might give his characters levels in fighter or rogue as well, but he's always primarily a ranger, and always an elf (unless the setting prohibits such choices).

 

[Prince of Happiness]

I picked storyteller and tacitician. I love story and getting into the setting, the atmosphere, cultures, Conan, and Elric and all that.

However, there is no way in Hell I'm gonna let you kill my character because of that. You'll have to pry that character sheet out of my cold, dead hands.

 

[fafhrd]

But the real reason I game is to make the strange dreams go away! Seriously, I find that if I don't game for a week or so my dreams become a whole lot more vivid (not bad dreams mind, just strong dreams). So, as long as I role-play, I sleep better!

Weird. I'd never heard anyone else express this before but the exact same phenomenon happens with me. Althought it can also be staved off with a good fantasy novel. Good to know that if I'm crazy, at least I have company.

 

[shilsen]

Picked all of them other than "Casual Gamer", since the group I game with are people I only meet for gaming purposes.

 

[Deadguy]

Weird. I'd never heard anyone else express this before but the exact same phenomenon happens with me. Althought it can also be staved off with a good fantasy novel. Good to know that if I'm crazy, at least I have company.

I'll have you know I am as sane as the next emu!

I think it boils down to needing an outlet for my imagination. Role-playing has become the easiet way to achieve this, but when games are delayed due to other people's commitments, or my own illness, I need to make sure I do something creative. And yes, reading and imagining a good book does have a similar effect, though it can't just be passively taken in.

It's good to know that there are other loons out there!

 

[Teflon Billy]

Casual Gamer and Butt Kicker.

 

[Galethorn]

Specialist (basically a burly Aragornesque character with red hair. In Star Wars, he's Galloran the Jedi Guardian. In d20 modern, he's Jack the Tough Hero. In D&D, a fighter, barbarian, or ranger who uses a greatsword; named Galethorn if he's a ranger, Eolan or Beowyc if he's a non-ranger.)

Story-Teller (I love plots. I love good vs. evil, redemption, the interplay between fate and free will, and other timeless literary themes in my games; hence why I DM a lot of the time.)

Butt-Kicker (Nothing is more fun for me than cleaving through hordes of orcs with a greatsword...or stormtroopers with a lightsaber.)


I would say casual gamer, but I spend too much time thinking about gaming, writing down ideas, and working on my campaign to be considered casual. Sure, I was voted 'most laid back' in school, but that's more of my general attitude towards life. Don't worry; do what it takes to stay happy.

 

[Morpheus]

Storyteller and tactician. I am the DM of the group and we have a little issue over how much powergaming and buttkicking there needs to be. We just recently switched from Dawnforge to Conan and everyone seemed to like it a lot-including me.