My main reason for playing RPGs is getting into situations that are impossible, to hard to achieve or too dangerous to get into in real life. In RPG I may interact with alien and exotic cultures, I may explore strange places, I may have to take hard choices, I may act on morality very different than my own. I may see myself from different perspectives, in different environments. Sometimes, it really gives me a lot of insight.
The second reason is that it's engaging. RPG is more immersive than passive entertainments, like books or movies. It brings in a strong emotional resonance. At its worst, it's just fun, as a children' make-believe. At its best, it brings truly cathartic experience.
The third reason is that it's very specific form of artistic expression, completely different than both acting and writing stories. I know no other form of art that would let me express myself in a similar way.
The second reason is that it's engaging. RPG is more immersive than passive entertainments, like books or movies. It brings in a strong emotional resonance. At its worst, it's just fun, as a children' make-believe. At its best, it brings truly cathartic experience.
The third reason is that it's very specific form of artistic expression, completely different than both acting and writing stories. I know no other form of art that would let me express myself in a similar way.
