Is it primarily, escapism?  We all just want to get away for a while?

Is it the expression of a secret inner yearning to create?

Or do we all just like to play make believe?  Are RPGs just an outlet, for our inner child to express itself?

I'd say all of the above. With the caveat that my "inner yearning to create" has never been particularly secret -- I've always written stories and created settings. Indeed, my biggest weakness as a GM (when I was GM'ing) was a tendency to try railroading the group towards the story outcome I thought was most dramatic.

I'd also cite "the thrill of victory" as a reason. Nothing beats the rush of that natural 20 that finally fells the foe, or that first Fireball spell that barbecues a group of foes which would have been a serious threat two levels ago.

For me personally it's all three: the desire to create and express, to escape the mundanity of life, and to carry on preposterously with others, in that order.

Quote from: Man at Arms on February 13, 2025, 01:35:57 PMIs it primarily, escapism?  We all just want to get away for a while?

Is it the expression of a secret inner yearning to create?

Or do we all just like to play make believe?  Are RPGs just an outlet, for our inner child to express itself?

yes

I think this vid by BLG touches on this. Good roleplaying hit a lot of the same highs as acting.

My wife says it makes her feel like she's partaking in an action/adventure film, rather than just watching one.

There are other outlets for creative expression.  There are other outlets to play pretend.  Ditto world building, social interactions, collaborative exploration, the challenge of games, and simply showing some friends a good time.  Combine that with food.

RPGs wrap it all up in one big package.

It's Sayre's law:

"Academic politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low."

Zero consequences for going all-in. So why not.

I actually think the reasoning is two fold and depends on if you're a DM or a Player.

From a DM side (at least for me) I think it's due to the sub-creative passion, to generate or emulate a living world and one which is reactive and acts almost independent of it's creator. much like how Tolkien outlined in his essay on Fairy Stories, a highly recommended read.

For Players I think it's the same reason people are enthralled in books, it's a light form of ego death, you inhabit another person's life and perspective and for a brief moment are transported to different world.

I also think this explains why the perversion of these desires are so toxic and inflamed. the perverse version of the DM is what some call "the failed novelist" someone who wants actors not living beings to populate their universe.

For the player it's the precious OC syndrome, they become obsessed with a character they can never really be. and view any attack or slight to that character as being personal to them as a person.

Quote from: Jaeger on February 13, 2025, 05:57:01 PM"Academic politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low."

From another perspective, they're the highest stakes possible: one's own self-image, and reputation with one's peers.

"Good name in man or woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands:
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed."

When you create a character, you bring the character to life by investing some of your ego into it. From that moment on, every time your character gets hurt, you will sort of feel it. Every time your character succeeds, you will cheer. Every time there's a setback, you'll groan. Yes, the player and the player character are distinct, but at the same time you can feel the things the character does like  their thoughts and feelings and sensations are passing through a rubber hose that sneaks around the fourth wall.

I will often feel empathy for characters in fiction, but I think there's a special relationship between player and player character that really isn't true elsewhere in fiction.

There's also this weird brainteaser that pen, paper, books, and dice have all existed for several thousands of years. Enclaves of humanity have had high enough literacy rates to play RPGs for well over 1000. And yet...the roleplaying game wasn't invented then. It was invented almost exactly 30 years after the invention of the Turing Complete computer, even though nothing in the RPG parts list suggests that it requires a computer to play.

I find that fascinating.

I'd note that theater also ignites a lot of passion in people. Even amateur community theater has a deep hold on the people who participate. The same is true of many other creative hobbies.

I think of wargaming and model trains as well - but I'm less familiar with those communities.

That suggests it's the personal creative investment that's really crucial. Though I'd be curious about comparisons to other scenes as well.

RPGs promote creativity, exploring new worlds, diving deep into nearly anything, and work offline without even electricity. They should ignite passion. Books like Palladium's Compendium of Modern Weapons is just fun to read, even if you never intend on actually utilizing any of it. I grew up on obscure books like Terran Trade Authority and once I realized that RPGs were like a gigantic, functioning extension to that style of world-building, I was hooked for life.

1. Playing the role of a fictional inhabitant of another world/universe.

2. Working together with other players to creatively solve problems & overcome obstacles.

3. As A GM, creating setting material and bringing it to life.

Great point on working together. It's very human to enjoy problem-solving with others in a common goal. The 21st century erased a lot of opportunities for doing this in real life, shifting everything online and promoting individualistic ideals to such a degree that finding common goals with people around us is often difficult anymore.