An Explanation of Role-Playing Games
What are role-playing games?
Role playing games, hereafter referred to as RPGs, are where a particular character, which you create, goes through various scenarios. It is a form of acting that is much like improvisation, the character that you play determines the result of the story. The story can take any form from religion to pure fantasy, science-fiction to the wild west. In all likelyhood, every person has played one of these games as a child in some form or another. If you played Cops and Robbers, you have particpated in a game where you took on a particular role in a story (stop the robbers from getting the loot).
What does it take to play a RPG?
To play an RPG, all you need is imagination and time. Even the most stoic of people in this world have enough imaination to play an RPG (Fannon 4). If you can concieve of yourself being another person in any way, shape, or form; you are ready to play. This leads us to another component: time. It takes time to develop characters and stories to make the process fun and worthwhile.
Are they games, or more then that?
Many people have fears of RPGs being more then just a game. In all respects, RPGs are just what that entails: games. Some ascribe more power to these games then what they are. Even proponents of RPGs believe that they are, "social exercises that go beyond simple recreation" (Fannon 3). GAMA, the Game Manufactuers Association, state that these games teach valuable research, math, and social interaction skills (Wiseman and Stackpole). Opponents of RPGs, speak out against RPGs as evil. These views are discussed below.
The games that are published hold comments about these theories. One states, "You are no more your character then you are the king when you play chess" (Cook, Tweet, and Williams 6). Other games hold statements that state that you may change anything about the game that you find objectionable (Prosperi 234).
Are these types of games only for a certain group?
RPGs allow any type of character. Some women feel that this is an activity only acceptable for men. This is competely untrue. People of all walks of life, age, or race can play these games if they choose to do so. RPGs do not discriminate, people do.
What are the dangers of playing a RPG?
It is true that there exists people that have taken these games way to far. This can be said about any activity: sports, theatre, television, the Internet, grades, etc. People that become obsessed are not isolated to RPGs, they are a fact of life.
What about the people that speak out against RPGs?
Many organizations, mostly parental and religious groups, have spoken out against RPGs. Many Chrisitian organizations have stated that RPGs are against their religious and moral values. Certain games have gained more attention than others. Dungeons and Dragons, one of the first bestselling RPGs, has numerous people that speak against it. Card games, such as Pokemon and Magic: the Gathering have also gained attention.
These people have a right to speak out against something that violates their personal ethics. They are not religious fanatics or "crackpots", as I have heard them be called. They are people with spirtiual beliefs that RPGs are conflicting with. The creators of RPGs are aware of these views, some are even creating new games for these people, such as Revelation. Christian RPGs are becoming more visible and give a creative outlet for children that love these types of games, without violating their religious or moral values.
Is there a connection between the Occult and RPGs?
This is a question of moral values and subjectivism. There are games in which magic is a key factor of the game. Some people believe that this is Occultism, while some people believe that is used as a tool to complete the objectives of the game. Either way, it is your interpretation of what is the Occult and how it is used to answer this question.
Many games also include creatures from mythology. Elves, dwarves, and dragons appear in many different games. Creatures of fantasy from all cultures and walks of life have appeared in the pages of these games. Many people have stated that since these creatures are used in RPGs, it is an Occult influence. If this is true, all walks of literature that represent dragons and mythic creatures have influences from the Occult.
There are some that believe that people use RPGs to summon demons. They believe that the power to summon these creatures are contained within these books. As a gamer for over fifteen years, I have never met someone that has claimed nor done such a thing. I have played a number of games, of which many have been spoken to have these abilities. I have never seen these mysterious rites within a RPG book, if there were a group of people that are doing such a thing, they would be considered "aberrations" (Fannon 45).
Where can I find an RPG to play?
It is simple to find an RPG. Many bookstores and hobby shops sell all forms of RPGs, just find one you like and try it. All you have do is find some friends interested and start playing. If you don't have enough time to start a game, many hobby shops have game organizations where games are frequently played. Just ask if you can join in and enjoy. Take in mind that many groups are picky about who they let in, do not let one or two refusals dismay you. There are many groups that openly welcome newcomers to the activity.
If playing an RPG is too time consuming for you, you can find numerous computer and online RPGs that allow you to play the games on your own time. Any Internet search engine will show you the various groups that play online. You may have to download programs to your computer to play these games, as well as buy the books, but they are well worth the effort.
Work Cited
Cook, Monte, Johnathan Tweet, and Skip William. Dungeons and Dragons: 3rd Edition. New York: St.
Martins Press, 2000.
Fannon, Sean Patrick. The Fantasy Role-Playing Gamers Bible. New York: Prima, 1996.
Prosperi, Louis. Earthdawn. Chicago: FASA Corporation, 1993.
Stackpole, Michael, and Loren Wiseman. "Questions and Answers About Role-Playing Games." 1 Mar.
2001 http://rider.wharton.upenn.edu/~loren/frpgama.html.
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