My own enjoyment comes from:

• Writing - developing a world, history, people, culture, organizations, situations that are interesting to interact with
• Acting and improv - I've done a bunch of community theatre and improv and I like being able to do it in such a micro setting with just my friends
• Hanging out with friends in something interactive rather than passive, like watching tv/movies/sports

There's also a large segment of the population that, in my opinion, just gets way too worked up and hyperbolic about shit.  D&D is not just a game!  It is though.  This is the crowd that says that a disappointing remake of an old cartoon raped their childhood.  Calm the fuck down. 

I have taught World Mythologies on a college campus that recently offered me a Humanities class in Roleplaying Studies as well as a Workforce Training course. The syllabus and lesson plan for each will cover many of the topics covered in this thread as well as problem solving and team building. These are just games, true. Aesop wrote just stories, too. Yet, like in those stories by Aesop we can learn about ourselves. The campus is very enthusiastic about this endeavor (I am really impressed by the enthusiasm and support) and I hope that people can learn and grow, using these games as a tool, albeit a fun one.

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?

Escapism is likely the least reason. I know alot of detractors just love to spout this. But the greater majority of players are not into RPGs for "wish fulfillment" and whatever other derogatories.

Adding to the list from experience.

Some are attracted to the sort of shared story. Some love being part of a story that they never can tell how will go. Others like to experience the setting and people. Immersion. Not storygamer "muh immershun!!!"

Some like the random aspect. It brings out the creative side. Which sometimes feels like thuis is why the more nasty of the eurogamers despise RPGs or try to turn them into storygames.

Some like the strategy and exploration aspects.

Some like the interactions with NPCs and PCs.

Some love the exploration and discovery aspects.

And so many more.

Its a great way to hang out with friends and do something, that is cooperative and interactive, where the only purpose is for everyone to be entertained while at the same time also pretending to do something that is very very far from regular life.

For my group I think a lot of it is also exploring/solving/optimizing the system while for me as a GM it is making the system work and adjusting the system as characters grow.

Quote from: yosemitemike on February 14, 2025, 06:18:57 PMThis is the crowd that says that a disappointing remake of an old cartoon raped their childhood.  Calm the fuck down. 

I wouldn't necessarily say raped, how about "made inappropriate gestures and lewd comments."

Quote from: yosemitemike on February 14, 2025, 06:18:57 PMa disappointing remake of an old cartoon raped their childhood.

Jokes on them, I always expect nothing from modern remakes so I'm never disappointed.

Scooby-Doo is one of the few cartoon franchises that's somehow adapted with the times without ever getting too far from itself, Mindy Kaling's Velma aside (she actually wasn't allowed to include Scooby because it was too deviant of an adaptation).

Why do some football fans paint themselves in their teams colors and go shirtless in the snow?
I suspect its the same dynamic at play... intense love can entwine with your self-image.

Now think about that but also the person is an insufferable dickhead...

It's just tribalism.

Go sit in a room full of:

PC nerds and talk about AMD vs. NVIDIA
Gun enthusiasts and talk about how the 9mm is superior to the .45. Then pull in new cool motherfuckers rocking 5.7mm
Comic fans - Superman vs. Thor

Put enough people together doing a "thing" for that "thing" to offer other options, you'll get your tribal lines set up and conflict of opinion will happen, and passions for their side will always deepen. RPG's are no different.

Quote from: tenbones on February 20, 2025, 02:48:28 PMIt's just tribalism.

Go sit in a room full of:

PC nerds and talk about AMD vs. NVIDIA
Gun enthusiasts and talk about how the 9mm is superior to the .45. Then pull in new cool motherfuckers rocking 5.7mm
Comic fans - Superman vs. Thor

Put enough people together doing a "thing" for that "thing" to offer other options, you'll get your tribal lines set up and conflict of opinion will happen, and passions for their side will always deepen. RPG's are no different.

Greetings!

*Laughing* Everyone that knows about weapons, KNOWS that the .45 is the best.

I have trusted my life with my Glock .45 for years now. The Glock .45 is an absolute beast! *Laughing*

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

  Yeah I think it might not so much be RPGs as hobbies.  I see LOTS more passion from people with their hobbies than they have in their actual careers many times.   I agree about the gun nut/nerds they are some of the worst with the things they will argue with or hit the "well...actually..." to anyone who listens. 

  I do think for a lot of players (oddly especially the older ones) they came to enjoy Table top RPGs when they were quite young and feel a long lasting connection and emotional attachment (similar to how your mind tends to "choose" some preferred genre of music during those younger years) that is stronger than maybe some of the "new" converts, as I think a good deal of the new players came to the hobby as actual adults (which I think was a bit more rare in say the 80's past college age).