5 of 13

Tabletop

Write now Article Tools

You can call me old school. Or maybe you can just plain call me old. However I have to say that no matter how many people try to change my mind, I firmly believe that table top gaming is far better than online roleplay. Now don't get me wrong, I dig online RPG's. They have a load of benefits that traditional table topping doesn't, yet in the end the tradition, atmosphere and over all uniqueness of the table top gaming session will win me every time.

So okay, I have to admit that online RPG's have come a long way sense the old bulletin board systems. Now you can create a pretty detailed and original character, and interact with massive and fascinating environments. I also have to give ground to the fact that the online RPG is much simpler to schedule. Alls I have to do is turn on the computer click an icon or two and off to a new world of adventure I go. Before I know it I have gained a couple levels, got some new gear, might of even managed to talk to a person or two. Another great part is that for the most part I am free to leave the game at anytime I need too. Actually, that last part is a little untrue, but I can always unplug my cable and claim I had a wacky internet connection or something the next day when I log back on. To top all of this off the average cost of an online RPG is around fifteen bucks a month, this is an awesome value for the amount of entertainment you receive.

Yet despite all these benefits, the online RPG is sorely lacking in several ways. First off in order to even think about playing the game I have to have a computer that can support the graphics and memory. Admitted almost everyone has a computer that can run most of the online games, however almost is not everyone. Second it is very difficult to do any actual RP on an online RPG. In fact most Online games focus much more on fighting monsters than the story. Sure this is loads of fun, and you can text your friends, but where is the actual RP? finally in my opinion, almost every online RPG I have played eventually becomes much more about grinding out the next level and getting the best gear possible. In a way the game looses the RPG aspect and really just becomes a cooperative video game.

However I am not one of those guys who thinks that there are not problems with table top games. Take time to talk to almost any gamer and they will have have very similar problems. This first? Finding other people willing to play. I have to admit this is easier now than it was when I was a kid. Hell you can get almost anyone to at least try it once or twice. However once you get them to try it, if the Game Master isn't all that good, you can generally forget about them taking a firm interest and returning. As if finding players and a good Game Master were not enough, you also have to work around everyones schedule somehow. There was a time when I was a kid I could play or run a game pretty much every day of the week. However as I have gotten older things such as a job, family, and other obligations seem to get in the way more and more often. Given all these problems I am sure you have to wonder why I still think table top is better.

Friendship. Yep plain and simple I value the table top game for the friendship factor. There is nothing better than seeing old friends once a week or so, pulling out the dice bag, passing around the chips and getting ready to once again seek adventure with a trusty ally at your side.

Learn more about this author, Richard Martens.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Which is better: Online roleplaying games or tabletop roleplaying games??
We want to hear your view. Write now!