Why Do You Play D&D?

[mearls]

Just out of random curiosity - why do you play (or DM) D&D? A lot of people here have played for years. I've been at it for over 20 years. What keeps you coming back for more?

I have my own thoughts and answer, but I'm curious to hear what others say before I start blabbing about myself.

 

[fanboy2000]

I mostly DM. I like the interaction of the game. Because I don't run a competitive game, I get a chance to socialize, present problems, act, crack jokes, and be creative.

I keep coming back to D&D (3e and 3.5 in particular) because it's easy to control. Roll a d20, add modifiers, and compair to a target number. As a DM, it's easy to asign modifiers and set DCs as the situation needs. I let my intuation be the guide, and it serves me well. There really isn't a lot of memorizing. If I look up anything during a game, it usually just a status condition or special attack.

 

[talinthas]

Escapism is one reason. But lately, i've noticed that i tend to play clerics and divine casters pretty much exclusively. It occurs to me that I play D&D to work out my thoughts towards religion and theology (i'm a hindu, it's not that far of a leap). At one point in my life, i played D&D to get out my aggression at folks who were bigger, stronger, whiter than me or whatever. But now it's a way for me to explore myself in ways not possible in real life.

 

[Aeric]

Let me be the first to give the obvious, if a bit snarky, answer:

Because it's fun.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way....

I play D&D--as opposed to other fantasy RPGs--because I am innately familiar with the rules and am comfortable with how they work. D&D is also the most popular game in my circle of gaming friends, and so we end up playing it more than any other game.

I play RPGs in general because they are an escape and a creative outlet. Together with a couple of other people, you create a story, a miniature reality, and that's something no other kind of game can do.

 

[TimSmith]

"The Story" my friend, "The Story". Which is to say, the unfolding of events shaped and influenced (at least in parts) by the group of players and DM, within an immersive and compelling framework. The whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts and we create something akin to a work of art. Observing what the other participants contribute to the tapestry is half the wonder.

Or maybe I just like beating those little kobolds and nicking their treasure, lol!!!

 

[Starman]

I've always had a very active imagination. Roleplaying gives me a vehicle to let it run wild.

I also play to be the hero. Seriously. Ever since I started reading fiction when I was a kid, I have fantasized about being a hero. Roleplaying lets me pretend for a moment that I am.

Starman

 

[Crothian]

It is unlike any other form of entertainment I know. Its more social and creative then video games. It allows me to form the story and influence the plot which is better then book and movies. It has the drawn out plot that I like from TV shows without the need to wait for Sweeps for the excitment to happen. It is also a little misunderstood and has a nice us verse them rebelion that still appeals to me.

I've made great friends and had a lot of really good times through gaming. It happens to be a great creative endevour and as a hobby it has also taught me things as I take an interest in history, science, polital arenas, and other real world concepts that creep into my game.

So, Mike, what makes you ask such a thought provoking question?

 

[Creamsteak]

I have to say that I play for the same reasons as Starman, plus I like the versatility of a table top RPG over a computer game. It takes so much less time to "change" the mechanics or setting of an RPG than it would to do such with a computer game. Even the best "modders" in computer games couldn't change a rule or add something in the middle of a combat round, or drastically change the very basis of the game.

 

[mearls]

So, Mike, what makes you ask such a thought provoking question?

I'm curious to see what other people had to say. It's one of those things where I know why I play D&D, but I've never really asked anyone else why they play. It occured to me tonight, after running a session of Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, that gaming is one of those things that I do quite a bit but I'd still love to do it more. I played Halo 2 intensely when I first bought it, and I still like it, but I'm already a little bit cool towards it.

My enthusiasm for gaming dropped off a bit when I was in college, but I got right back into it when I left school. It's something that has been with me almost my entire life.

 

[reanjr]

I DM. I have a god complex. I like the power to BUILD AND DESTROY WORLDS!!!!!!!

It's like apotheosis in a little book (more like 50 books, but for godhood it's worth it.)