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What Playing is About
Tweet Topic Started: Dec 13 2005, 12:47 AM (195 Views)
kismetrose Dec 13 2005, 12:47 AM Post #1
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I ran across the idea again tonight that playing a D&D character is all about doing what you cannot do in real life. Thus, attention should be focused on the things you can't get away with in real life and things that you could do in real life should be passed over.

And I just...don't agree. There are bound to be some things that my characters can do that I also can do in my own life that are fun, exciting, memorable, and so on. So why should they be passed over? Then again, I don't play just to interact with things that don't exist in the world. I don't play just for the high of my monk's abilities that I can't emulate, or for the thrill of killing things. I want more. I want to experience a world, and in order to do that, sometimes the most ordinary things pop up. In short, I want both - what I can do in real life and what I can't.
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Didge Dec 13 2005, 01:35 AM Post #2
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And that, K, is the reason I play as well. Yes, I can actually do some of the nifty things the Monk can do (just goes with being in martial arts for 16 years), but that doesn't mean I want to for my monk PC for example. If I make a monk, I'm having more fun thinking up strange names to call a punch, such as, "Flying Lizard Falls From Above!" as I shout that and roll the dice.

But I also enjoy doing the things I can't do well in an attempt to help me as a person grow and become more self-sure of my own abilities. A PC Face who has a high CHA and all the social skills? When I first started playing D&D I never thought of that as something I'd like to try. It sure wasn't something I liked to do outside the game. But then I tried, within the support structure of my friends and this wonderful game, and sure enough I became more confident in my abilities to talk in public, and with individuals without any social flubs.

So yeah, I want both as well, and by god, any good player wants both. Sure, one or the other is fun every once in awhile, but not for consistancy in my book at least.

When you're making an Adventure, remember to ask, "WWMPD" (What Would My Player's Do?) Then tailor your adventure around that.
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Freston Dec 13 2005, 06:58 AM Post #3
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Kismet
 
I ran across the idea again tonight that playing a D&D character is all about doing what you cannot do in real life. Thus, attention should be focused on the things you can't get away with in real life and things that you could do in real life should be passed over.

Don't they understand it is a game? What's with all these amature psychologists who unleash their compensation-theories on our pass time? It's a game, we play it because we like it.

That said, we like it for a reason. I, for one, like this game because it puts so much emphasis on emagination, story and problem-solving. I like role playing, not because it helps me escape reality, but because it helps me add to reality.

The division of what you can and what you can't do in real life is to restrictive for me. We have a different world, where other rules apply. I don't look at my capabilities in real life, I look at the context of the game.

And what Didge said I recognise, yes it is possible to try out new behaviour within the context of the game. And you may benefit from that in real life. What this game has taught me, for example, is to look at things from different perspectives. It adds to your understanding of decission making mechanisms.
said the fool, and he showed his suntanned teeth.
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Aladdar Dec 13 2005, 07:17 AM Post #4
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I don't think it's possible to nail down why people play the game as we all do it for different reasons. I think they're all fine reasons as well. Some people may very well play for the superheroisc abilities, some for the socialization, some for others.

To me, I enjoy playing for two major reasons (although I like all the aspects of the game) I like the strategic combats (I really like the grid mapped combat), and for the socialization both in character and out of character (which also incorporates imo, a great story that I get to help develop.)
"Love makes the world go round. And has been known to provide a +2 circumstance to certain skill checks."

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Fixxxer Dec 13 2005, 11:19 PM Post #5
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butt i thot dnd iz abowt roXorzing hot lezbo elf chXorz lolololol!!!!!oneoneeleven
In my mind, it is that simple. But then, I'm simple minded. -Didge-
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Aladdar Dec 14 2005, 07:03 AM Post #6
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No, that's what EQ and WoW is about.
"Love makes the world go round. And has been known to provide a +2 circumstance to certain skill checks."

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