Role Playing Games?

[RiceField999]

Am I the only one around who finds written role playing online to be an efficient relief from social stresses of life? As an INTJ, perhaps, I can step back and comment that the activity sounds like I'm spending too much time with my head in the clouds, but it's what works for me. Anyone here have this hobby as well?

[Carinthian]

I always found written online rpgs to be quite boring :3 Rpg games are a much more fun way to relieve stress.

[eternaltriangle]

Do you mean pen and paper or computer games? I much prefer pen and paper games. There are some computer RPG's that capture the non-linearity and creativity of pen and paper games. Computer RPG's are generally simplistic, while pen and paper games can involve genuine problem-solving (the act of creating worlds as a DM is similar). In addition, it is a game of odds, so it has some mathy elements.

[Homini Lupus]

I prefer doing them with friends, face to face, in groups or solo (master and player). I played a bit the internet pen and paper ones, but it is more an experiment and it proved to be quite slow (Two players and a master in a different time zone and with different connection problems arising from time to time). I tried MMORPGs but found them too much mechanical and devoid of role playing (there may be a societal element in it but nobody is really impersoning a role).

[RiceField999]

I had in mind not the computerized RPGs like MMORPGs or programmed games, but role playing characters personally through chat, written in novel style (or some would script format) creating our own world and our own identity while remaining behind a computer screen. I know that this is not for everybody, but I find relieving myself from my own identity for a short while really provides good rest for me.

This changing of identity always puzzles me, though, which was why I started this thread. Theoretically I can't imagine INTJs liking such a thing, to be honest.

Two players and a master in a different time zone and with different connection problems arising from time to time).
That is very true. I normally just look for a partner that fits all the criteria -- which narrows people down from 20 to 1, or something like that.

[Harmony]

I was just talking about this in my blog the other day. I prefer pen and paper to online.... Less restrictions on creativity in pen and paper. ;)

[RiceField999]

Do you mean pen and paper or computer games? I much prefer pen and paper games. There are some computer RPG's that capture the non-linearity and creativity of pen and paper games. Computer RPG's are generally simplistic, while pen and paper games can involve genuine problem-solving (the act of creating worlds as a DM is similar). In addition, it is a game of odds, so it has some mathy elements.

I was just talking about this in my blog the other day. I prefer pen and paper to online.... Less restrictions on creativity in pen and paper. ;)

I mean written like pen and paper (but I personally favor typing just because I'm lazy. I type much faster than I write.) I completely agree with the problem-solving and the creativity aspect. It's one of my favourite things to do to 'relax'. ...odd as that sounds...

[Harmony]

I mean written like pen and paper (but I personally favor typing just because I'm lazy. I type much faster than I write.) I completely agree with the problem-solving and the creativity aspect. It's one of my favourite things to do to 'relax'. ...odd as that sounds...

My character sheets were all done on my laptop. ;)

I didn't like having to erase every time my stats change or I had more abilities to modify. My problem with online versions is it's not always as easy to problem-solve and be creative because you usually have a preset action and reaction... When it's a group of friends doing pen and paper or even typing, there isn't always a preset reaction to your action! I know our DM was frequently surprised by some of our actions and had to come up with some different reactions that he had originally planned.

[RiceField999]

My character sheets were all done on my laptop. ;)

I didn't like having to erase every time my stats change or I had more abilities to modify. My problem with online versions is it's not always as easy to problem-solve and be creative because you usually have a preset action and reaction... When it's a group of friends doing pen and paper or even typing, there isn't always a preset reaction to your action! I know our DM was frequently surprised by some of our actions and had to come up with some different reactions that he had originally planned.

I dislike preset actions/reactions as well, which is why I stick to completely original written (typed) rpg from scratch. So basically by meeting up online partners, we start writing in turns, and create our own world and characters without boundary (except for each of our own tastes.) I think it's the same as pen and paper, just typed.

What I'm interested in understanding is why switching identities would relax myself or people who enjoy this.

[zief]

Me and my friends have our own roleplaying forum.
I also like rpgs like Final Fantasy.

[True Rune]

I pretty much grew up playing RPG's. Video games, of course. Most people I know would rather play football or talk shit.

[Rudy]

Pen and paper ones are the best.

The computer ones, especially the Baldur's Gate series, are the next best thing.

[eternaltriangle]

I strongly agree that pen and paper is superior. The non-linearity, the hilarity, the nerd camaraderie and the ability to imagine your own world appeal to me greatly.

[Harmony]

I dislike preset actions/reactions as well, which is why I stick to completely original written (typed) rpg from scratch. So basically by meeting up online partners, we start writing in turns, and create our own world and characters without boundary (except for each of our own tastes.) I think it's the same as pen and paper, just typed.

What I'm interested in understanding is why switching identities would relax myself or people who enjoy this.

For me it's a relaxation because I can take a step out of my daily life and be something completely different. Any stress I have completely goes away while I'm gaming. I literally lose myself in my character.

[Dngen]

I like playing computer RPG's, I like the social interaction and to escape the everyday routine. Haven't played much pen 'n paper RPG though, but that's mostly because I don't have many friends to do it with.

[Plane Stress]

I hated RPGs, they don't suit my particular style of creativity.