Why do you play D&D?

[Torx]

I'm writing a sociology paper about the culture and structure of the "typical" D&D group - of course drawing heavily upon my own.

I would like to hear some opinions of why people here play - either in the role of DM/GM or player.

I personally play [as a DM] because I like the opportunity to easily influence events on as grand a scale as entire worlds and the multiverse - albeit only in mine and my players' heads. It's also fun to be able to step into someone else's mind, think what they think, feel what they feel - and act out upon those (reminds me of my actin' days )

Note: All identities will remain anonymous

 

[buzzard]

I hate to be boring, but I play the game because it is fun. I like lots of games. This happens to be a game which I have played for quite some time and happen to be good at. It also is a fun way to prod the imagination. I play now, and I used to DM. I prefer to play by far.

Buzzard

 

[Xastalask]

Why play D&D?

Cause it is fun Plain and simple

 

[Eryx]

For me.... escapism and the ability to use my imagination to it's fullest (Something that the 21st century seems to frown upon people doing).

I originally got into the hobby from watching films like Jason & the Argonauts, the various Sindbad films...etc. They stirred the old imagination and when I heard about roleplaying it seemed like a great way of telling heroic stories and legend about my own and my friends persona's.

Hope that helps.

 

[Torx]

'Tis good stuff - keep it comin please!

Don't feel the need to confirm what others have said, and don't feel like you can't copy - no right or wrong answers here people.

 

[Sodalis]

I dont know what most of you do for a living, but i have a monotonous job that goes nowhere. Hopefully that will change when I graduate college...

But with the life I have now, I need an outlet- and DND is it.

In a fantasy world, nothing stops me but me- I can imagine anything- and be anything- wheras in RL, I am just a scrawny asian guy with a mediocre job.

In DND, I am a barbaric fighter who is brutish and strong- and expresses myself through action. if someone upsets me, I can hak him to bits and feel no remorse- other than the time it takes me to clean my blades...

The imaginationa dn fantasy is the allure. things that i have been imagining and fascinated me all my life comes true when i play a game- dragons and knights and magic- all interested me as I was grwing up- and now- it actually can somewhat come to life- an has understandable effects- even though those are just make-believe

 

[Randolpho]

I don't care if I'm anonymous or not.

I play D&D because I've always enjoyed fantasy literature, and playing (as a PC) is like playing the character in the story. I love fantasy stories, and I love influencing them with my PC.

On the flip side, I love stories, and I love influencing them as the DM, too. I DM because I enjoy building entire worlds, fantasy realms that I created. I've always had totally unattainable fantasies about being a fantasy author; DMing allows me to think I'm somehow working towards that "goal".

 

[Henry]

I play for the women. Yep, the sheer number of hot women who fawn all over me when I tell them that I play D&D. That made me a gamer for life.

Seriously,
Is this a "big" paper or a "little" one? You could always post a series of interview questions and ask us to participate.

As for me, The main reason I play is because the hook of writing or "starring" in fantasy adventure stories has always appealed to me. In real life, I will never explore ruined treasure storehouses, or save innocents from certain slaughter - even if I were presented an opportunity in real life to do so, I honestly don't know if my selflessness would rise to the challenge. However, I like to THINK I would, and D&D lets me exercise this part of my overactive imagination. To take a larger-than-life character, become them in pretend and participate in the sharing of treasures, glory, and fighting for Right really appeals to me.

I continue to play because of the friendships I have with the people I meet around the gaming table. These are people I share interests with, we listen to similar music, we make and "get" jokes about the same topics, we socialize, we go out to eat together, and have the same sort of interactions that other people do at football parties and at live football games.

I don't know if this may figure into your paper or not, but I had a minor epiphany recently. The Gaming Table and the Gaming Convention have replaced the Elk's Lodge or Moose Lodge gatherings that was very prevalent from the 1950's to the 1970's. Whereas the post-war community had clubs and lodges to foster community and friendship, the information age has bred gamers, sci-fi fans, and hobbyists of all sorts who form community bonds all their own. I know of very few families in my area whose children and grandchildren have become new Moose Lodge or Elk Lodge brethren. It is a brand new form of community organization, but has a form totally different from what came before, and one more open to membership by all races, creeds, and genders. The common bond in this case is not war or blue-collar background, but a love of sci-fi or fantasy.

 

[Torx]

It's a little paper - just for general soc, nothing major. But your idea for a broader study of the conversion of community organization is an intriguing one, and has much merit.

Fortunately though, I only have to analyze the culture and structure within the standard gaming group (relying heavily on D&D). Not too tough - but I wanted some opinions outside my own table to represent a wide cross-sampling of opinions.

Plus, it's interesting to know what draws people to this kind of game. I've played with a wide range of people that I may never had said boo to otherwise - if only for that, I'm thankful for the game.

It's also interesting to note that RPG friends aren't always like regular friends. I have (and have had) several gaming buddies where we haven't said two words to each other outside of game context, but in the game we, and our characters, converse on a completely different level. Very odd thing IMHO.

Anyways - this is all good stuff - and I'll be taking some quotes here (uncredited of course, unless those like Randolpho note otherwise)

 

[Illrein]

I play for several reasons. One is too escape from this reality (which is full of hatred and melancholy) and into the warmth of an alternate world. I also like to use my imagination in campaigns. I enjoy seeing others admire my use of creativity.
But the most important reason for why I play D&D (or any RPG for that matter) is that one day I hope to be a director/writer/producer of films. Even though I got into D&D mainly because my pothead friend wanted me to play so bad, I remain to play for the aspirations I have. Being a DM gives a feel of control, allowing me to produce a world and 'direct its inhabitants', all for a basic storyline I've written. This may sound like a childish reason to play D&D, but I don't care because the game's enjoyable and I feel like I'm getting better not just as a storyteller but as a person in general.