Role Play Games
My question
is: Have you ever heard about them or maybe you not only heard about them but
also played them?
I want to
share with you my experiences.
I first
started my adventure with role play games about 18 years ago.
“A long
time ago when dragons were flying on the sky in deep forest of Kampinowski
Forest in a little village a young boy have heard about a mythical creature
called Warhammer Fantasy Role Play. This creature was so interesting that that
young boy started to get as much information about it as it was possible. After
2 years of being just a simple player he had gain so much knowledge that he
could try to past his first test as the Game Master…”
This was the
beginning of my “second life” as my friends tend to say. During these 18 years
of playing RPGs – acronym is really funny if you watched some war movies – I
can say that this was the most interesting adventure of my life.
In RPG games you create a hero that you will use during
“sessions” – sounds like witchcraft or some sect meeting.
In sessions
we go into a role of that hero – so we create his history of life and we act as
if we were that person. In the world full of RPG computer games you may ask –
why should I play it? Isn’t it better to
play games online? And here I see a very
big difference.
RPG games
played in the real world with people, not in front of your PC build imagination,
improve social skills, build up self-confidence etc. This is an imagination
game where a Game Master using words and cubes (dice) describes a player’s
whole world. For someone who has never seen this or played it I can say just
one thing – if you read a fascinating book and you thought that it would be
awesome to be the main character of that book –you should try RPG games. You will be the main character of your book.
I have
found a 9min document about RPG. Please take a look into my world J
Sources:
I'm more D&D (Dungeon and Dragons) player than Warhammer, but I've played both systems and really loved them. I remember playing Warhammer's "The Enemy Within saga" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enemy_Within_Campaign) trying to stop [SPOILER ALLERT!] evil occultist from summoning the demon or wandering with my friend while playing "Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil" (D&D system). That story was so huge and complex! In Warhammer system I've always tried to become Witch Hunter and in D&D I was a mighty warlock named Hiro or mute female cleric named Araya.
ReplyDeleteI used to be a Game Master as well, but I realized that being surprised by someone else is better than create your own traps for other people. I remember that I had to explain my mother what Pen and Paper games are because once she was walking next to my room and she heard me being a Game Master (she didn't know that we were playing) I was still telling the story after a while, so she sat next to my door, because she was sure that I'm telling my friends a fairy tales.... and then my friend said that he is decapitating a nice innocent girl, because she is making him mad. That's the beauty of P7P games - you can do whatever you want!
And I still have those!!
http://www.image-share.com/ijpg-2480-253.html
Thanks Jakub for sharing your story and experience with us. I’m wandering do you still play in D&D?
DeletePS. I’m DM in D&D also :)
Woooha! Me and my colleagues from work would also like to start finally... I have played Warhammer only once but the world is amazing and (may be even too much) addictive. I remember one of friends was a dwarf, not saying too much at all.. but when it came to the battle, he was the one!
DeleteTrue, dwarfs are living killing machines.
DeleteBut it's nothing compared to half-ork and his k12 dice!
DeleteAnd I don't have anyone in Warsaw, who enjoys playing Pen and Paper games.
Well I'm not a big fan of orc's even half one ;)
DeleteMe as well, I prefer magical classes or Clerics, but if we're talking about killing machine there is no more powerful class than half-orc Barbarian in rage :)
DeleteTrue - but only if he do not cross his path with any cleric or wizard ;) Will save are horrible for that combination :)
DeleteI know few people who are commited to RPG but my knowledge in this field is very little. I'm not a player and what is more - I'm not interested in fatasy and related subjectes. But I think it's wonderful there are people who have a huge imagination and can create different worlds, people and stories.
ReplyDeleteI think you could enjoy playing RPG Aga. This is a place where you can try doing things that you cannot do normally.
DeleteCorrect, unlike in video games, which in fact are cRPG, you can do everythig... The inkeeper does not want to rent a room? you can demolish his inn, threaten him, kill his family or broke all his bones (obviously it is only a example!). Furthermore - most of the games you are not a heroic guy which already can handle hundreds of monsters, if you are out of luck, even a rat can be a problem for beginning characters ;) Whats the best about those games - you and your party need a lot of interaction and teamplay in order to survive!
DeleteTrue, I like playing bad characters, evil, twisted etc...
DeleteI never had the opportunity to play RPGs live. Actually, I never played many games, except one - Baldur's Gate - well known and very popular RPG and I was delighted with it. I can say that playing was addictive, and I could spent hours choosing the best features and combat skills for my character, analysing what type of amour or sword would be the most adequate for my hero. There is no doubt that playing on the computers is something opposite to creating hero using only imagination, but nevertheless it always brought me a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteNowadays I do not play RPG anymore, but recently I have opened myself for a new experience - playing board games! I have to admit that I never expected how fun it can be. And playing board games has an identical role as the one you have mentioned in your text: it allows a direct contact and improves social skills. Two or three hours of playing in a good company is for sure a great idea for spending the evening without sense of wasted time.
I really recommend playing Neverwinter Nights (especially NN 2), where you can feel, taht you're playing D&D 3.5 system, but Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale - those are classics!
DeleteOh man! I would like to play again in Baldur's Gate and try out the titles that you recommended! :-) But unfortunately I do not have time for this... And have you heard that the creators of the first two parts of BG plan to make the third one? That would be something really amazing!
DeleteAnd do you know a game called Tibia? One of my friends is a big fan and she spends hours in front of a computer playing it!
Piotr, you really should try playing RPG not on PC. Baldur’s Gate is classic but when I compare my PC adventures and the one that I made for my friend’s as game master, I can say that PC is like 1% as good as table game. Of course you need to have GM that is not total douche ;)
DeletePS sorry for slang but I could not resist :)
Sławomir, thank you for your encouragement, but I am afraid that I would not be too good as GM. I guess I do not have an imagination, which would be sufficient to create a world of fantasy! Therefore I have to stay with computer games. Unless someone gives lectures on how to be a good RPGs Game Master? :-)
DeleteIf you would like I can help you put your first steps... After initial info just few you may start :) To be a good game master you need to know how player thinks - so for start I recommend to play as player in RPG table and than if you like it you could try being GM.
DeleteAnd it's good to read Rule Book and to start with basic stories. I really recommend "The Sunless Citadel". Many tips, step-by-step storyline and easy scenario to start with.
Deletehttp://image.slidesharecdn.com/11640-thesunlesscitadel-090310014547-phpapp01/95/slide-1-728.jpg?cb=1236667565
I concur Kuba, if you want to start your adventure from D&D Piotr, than as a GM you should try all prepared and sold ;) ready to play adventures.
DeleteI still propose you Piotr to start playing in any RPG as player, this will be better start than throwing yourself into deep water of being GM...
I have heard about the RPG but unfortunately I've never played . This is not only a great way to spend free time, but also for meeting friends. The ability to create own characters and the incarnation in it must be awesome, but it also requires great imagination and creativity. It's a nice escape from the real world, and a moment of rest from daily routine, which by the way has a positive effect on the functioning of the brain. Developing the ability of abstract thinking, learning work in a team and how to deal with unusual situations or how to improvise. It's a bit like the gym for the brain, I think. :)
ReplyDeleteMariusz, good summary!!!
DeleteI think from my perspective that, if you think as you wrote than you should try it. This activity consume time but it reward you with amazing experience and a lot of quality time with friends.
indeed it consumes a lot of time, agreed... like all of the hobbies ;) I mostly play Trading Card Game - Magic The Gathering which already takes hours once a week but comparing to RPG in which one session can take half of a day is really nothing ;)
DeleteI play with my team in weekends. If we have good mood we can play from 1 PM to 1 AM :)
DeleteI've heard more than once about RPG games, but I never tried to play, even though I have many friends who regularly meet on session.
ReplyDeleteEven though spending time together with fiends sounds great, but I never had the impression that this type of games would be my cup of tea.
Sławomir, I have already posted some of my feelings but I still have a question.. do you know some good places to play games (not only RPG)? I have been to Paradox's Cafe but it was really bad... bad lights, awful food and rude service :)
ReplyDeleteKamil I play only in house my or my friends. I have seen one place in Warsaw when some people played Magic the Gathering it was in book store in building on corner Goworka and Puławska. This store is called Faber or Fabro or something like that. Nice place with big table - light was good. I went there to buy Warhammer Fantasy Battle setting. I think they also have some sort of competition like Leage or sth. like that there.
DeleteI found their page on faceboot :)
https://www.facebook.com/warfaber
and normal shop page:
http://warfaber.pl/
I obviously heard of RPG, but I've never played. It was however a pleasure to read your post, because one can clearly feel the passion you have for this field.
ReplyDeleteIt seems pretty obvious that playing RPG games would help develop one's imagination. I know that many modern book authors started as RPG Game Masters and many of them feel the experience helped them to develop skills that helped them to become writers.
Ludwik thanks for good words. It is true that RPG is my hobby and also I sometimes spend too much time with it.
DeleteIt is well known fact that most fantasy or SF writers had episodes connected to RPG in their life. Not only - you can look at internet and check who with well known film starts played RPG in their past...
http://voices.yahoo.com/10-celebrities-play-dungeons-dragons-7776984.html
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOf course I know the RPG! I started to play in my high school (of course starting from Warhammer). Then I started to play the fading suns and then I started to create world as a game master. Unfortunatly i must stop my trip to fantasy worlds - first studies now I cann't complete people to the game: P
ReplyDeleteIn total, outside the traditional RPG games are my greatest passion LARPs (Live Actions Role Play). In total they pozawalają my best to empathize with the character. First, I spend weeks on the preparation of costumes and everything to characterization my character. Then, after weeks of speculation over her personality, be completely incorporate her in my personality and start game :).
Something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTVjjYsH92w
Thanks for your comment. I had not have any session of LARP but I thought about one :)
DeleteTry it changes a little look at the world of RPG :)
DeleteInteresting topic. I was surprised how many people had similar experience to my with regards to "offline" RPG games.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite embarrassing, but I've learned the difference between classical board games to board RPG games from the following bit of tBBT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xqE-cO_dWk
It's a pity I haven't heard about it earlier, because the entire thing is great. It facilitates interpersonal communication, stimulates and trains imagination, its fun after all.
Also, it must be such a difference to computer games or even online games, where eventually person also communicates with other people, but level of communication is completely different.
I don’t play RPG games, but for sure the RPG sessions are a great idea for spend time with friends. It’s better than sitting alone at a computer. Recently I’m a fan of “Dixit”. I don’t know how to classified this card game… I think it’s associative game, but a little bit strange and surrealistic. And, what is important to me, it’s prettily illustrated. For me – the masterpiece. Me, my friends and family are absolutely addicted to it. Every time we’re playing, we have a good time.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI tried to play Role Play Games some time ago but it didn't work out for me. I dont know why, maybe cause I have an ADHD and this game requires patience. I prefer paintball kind of games :) It might be less intellectually challenging but it's more fun for me.
ReplyDeleteI've observed 2 groups (just an observation) of players. First one is a warhamer(offline)-Diablo(online) group, second one is paintball(offline)-counterstrike(online) group. Each of those groups thinks other group is dumber : )
(It's annoying that I have to delete and post my post again instead of just editing it, in case of misspell )
I've heard abour role play games, but I have never explored the topic and I have never tried playing any of such games. From the article and from your opinions it appears that it may be quite a fun. I believe it may be a great way of spending time with friends, especially when you have a group of friends you meet often. Definitely it is a better idea that playing online and more fun than playing a board game. I guess it also helps to develop your creativity and acting skills, as well as teaches you how to improvise, which is a good excerise for your brain.
ReplyDeleteI've never played in such kind of RPG. I'm a computer games player all the way though. Nevertheless I can see that RPG in games has very little connection to yours RPG as playing experience goes into consideration. Dunno what to comment here :P
ReplyDeleteThough being a game master is something like a being a project leader, who wants whole project to collapse :)
Well not exactly Grzesiek but yes I feel like project manager when I'm GM.
DeleteI’ve never tried RPG but would like to try if there was an occasion... I love board games of different kinds and wonder what’s the role of cards, dices and the board I’ve seen in the move when it comes to RPG... I’ve also noticed figures.. So there must be some similarities between the board games and role playing games. I’m under impression that like other people I’ve ever spoken about RPG in the past, you didn’t exactly explained the rules... Or did you and there’s no rules, except the fact that you make up your character? But it would be to easy I guess. My character would be a wizard which is all mighty and can do whatever he wants. Would I win? ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Kasia,
DeleteThe rules are not quite strict as you may have seen in other table games. Here your condition for winning is having a good quality time with friends. And you are probably right – powerful wizard can demolish enemy.
I have never played RPG, however I know many people who play this. Hence I heard about this before I read your article, but I didn't know rules.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you wrote about your passion, becuase I have known more about this kind of games. You create stories, so it seems that players have to be creative and well know fantasy world. Am I right?
Although it seems fabulous I think that this is not for me.
So much imagination, so little reality.
Well Ewa, not all have to know world as good as game master. Players can have knowledge only about their character. As for little reality – there are games where you can play as someone else in our own reality. It do not have to be fantasy or SF world.
DeleteI have actually never played a classic RPG... I think i have never been interested in such games, because I was more like an active kid, always free to play outside... Okay, I admit that I have spent some time in the past playing MMORPG games. I can remember games like MU online, the sentiment still remains in my head, and hours spent on trying to raise my level to the highest possible ever but unfortunately I wasn't as hardcore as any other players... actually I sucked at MMORPG games... The most of my gaming time I have spent on playing WOW, and again my leveling skill was terrible. I actually played this game because I loved the music and the environment (scenery). I still think that WOW is the best MMORGP game ever created because of that. When most of the people are logging into the game and minutes after getting experience and some skills I was staying at some safe place chatting with other people, because I love meeting new people and this was my main goal in every MMORPG game. Back to the classic RPG games. Now I would play it more to train my strategic skills and use it in business but still for fun though.
ReplyDeleteGrzesiek as you mentioned RPG games have more to offer than any computer games. If you would like to go on Pyrkon or any other “geek” meeting, you could find a lot of people from different social environments. I had played in past on one of that meetings with a team consist of: lawyer, doctor of medicine, 2 graphics and a nurse. Also strategy and negotiations are most often used personal skills in RPG. Well maybe except a luck in throwing dices…
DeleteI also have no experience with Role Playing Games whatsoever, but of course I have heard of them and I understand the basic idea behind them. I’m not interested in the world of fantasy myself, but it doesn’t mean I can not appreciate the impact of creating an imaginative world on one’s creative thinking. It must be both fun and intellectually developing to – even if just for a short while – live in a universe fully brought to life by the players, with all of the individuality being a valuable input to the game.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your opinion Anna. Is there something in your life that is similar to role play games?
DeleteI never played RPG.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child, I played board games, for example:Mensch ärgere Dich nicht (German board game), Monopoly, etc.
When I was 13 I started playing computer games.
Nobody from my friends played RPG, so me too.
But if I have a chance to play this game I will certainly seize this opportunity.
Well, I'm not a big fan of RPG as a board game. I live in XXI century, therefore I would play RPGs as a form of a computer game, but I'm a bigger fan of FPS (Call of Duty, Tactical Ops) and MMOs (Dota2). I prefer newer solutions rather than old school board style games, but it's just me.
ReplyDelete