Role players, also known as 'gamers' can be pretty obsessive people. While the stereotype of the 13 year-old D&D fanatic does exist, some of the most committed gamers have been buying alcohol legally for years, and have 13 year-olds of their own. Why?
RPGs are a Group Activity
Not everyone wants to join a bowling league, and board games get . . . well . . . boring after a while. Role playing games are a great way for a group of friends to have fun together.
Table Tops Have Something for Everyone
While the best known role playing games are sci-fi/fantasy, rpgs exist in pretty much every genre, from Indiana Jones-type adventuring, to film noir mystery and even comedy.
Role Playing Games Are Escapism
A good role playing gaming offers the same thing as a good movie or a good book - a chance to forget your own problems, and get away from it all for a few hours.
The Role Player is in Control of the Story (sort of)
Role playing games are sort of like those 'you choose the ending' adventure books. Tired of watching the dumb blond in horror movies go down the dark alley alone? Decide that this time the not-so dumb blonde is going to pick up a bazooka first, or maybe she skips the alley all together!
Role Playing Games: A Different Kind of Brain Academy
Role playing games make the players think, problem solve, plan, and make split second decisions when the plans fall apart. All while trying to think like a different person entirely. Role playing games are a great way to get the brain in gear.
Cheap Entertainment!
Five people go to a store, they spend about $30 on a book, and $5 on dice. They stop and grab a couple of spiral notebooks and some pencils for another $5. Dividing the tab, each person has spent less then the cost of the average movie ticket.
They go home and for the next 6 months have a Friday night get together for nothing more then the cost of a couple pizzas. How many other ways can five people have 4 hours of entertainment, and food, for about $20 a night?
Kid Friendly Entertainment
Alright, everyone knows parents need a night away from the kids sometimes, but finding a baby sister isn't always easy.
RPGs can be played while the infant sleeps, the toddlers cuddle on parents laps (over sized dice keep them really happy), and older kids watch movies in the den. Or, they can be a family night. With a little bit of care, role playing games can be played so children as young as 5 years-old can join in.
Entertainment that's Never the Same Twice
Watching the same movie every week is watching the same movie every week. Playing the same game every week is never really the same. Tired of storming the castle? So go hunt down the wizard instead. Never mind whatever fun surprises the Game Master has in store.
'Live' the Fantasy
Alright, so it's only in the imagination, but for everyone who has every wanted to rescue the princess, save the world or solve a whodunit, rpgs can be the way to do it.
Role Playing Games are Fun!
Who needs a better reason? Role playing games are fun - the side discussions that take over (tangent!) can be almost as fun as the games themselves.
