by Bartlett Meeks

Created on: December 29, 2008

This is battle that has raged through the ages. By "The Ages", I mean about ten years ago. I was teetering on the edge of voting for this, but landed on this side because of one simple thing. I plan my tabletop games. My comp games are the happy meal of gaming. They are quick, tasty; no muss no fuss quick entertainment. Anytime I want to hop on my computer I can log in, load up and start my gaming experience.

The two hobbies, upon closer reflection, are two very different things. They bear certain similarities; fantasy settings, adventure, combat, and very visible game mechanics. The experiences are two separate things. Tabletop gaming is more of a party atmosphere; friends get together, chat, eat and drink, and socialize as well as partake in whatever game is being played. I've been a part of some great "game nights" that just turned into friends talking and sharing a few beers. While I was growing up, my parents would get together with my aunt and uncle and play bridge. They liked bridge, but that was not the real reason they got together. It was a reason for friends and family to get together once a week and decompress. That is a major part of the tabletop experience that most people who are involved in it probably don't realize.

Computer games have a social aspect as well, World of Warcraft being one of the most visible. I play that game, and one of the reasons I play is because I have friends all over the country that play, and it is a great way to stay in contact with these folk. IM chat is better than no contact, and it is nice to have that connection to friends states away. The social aspect is not as present in computer games. Even if you play a highly social computer game, you can solo play, and not involve yourself with other players at all. If you are a casual social player, you can temporarily group with some random folk - the infamous PUG (Pick Up Group). PUGing is often seen as a necessary evil in the online experience; you force socialization because your character needs something that requires help.

Stories in tabletop can be more character driven and emotional. Stories in online RPGs have to be more cookie cutter to fit all types of players and characters. Tabletop games can be more customizable and more complex and emotional stories can be told. House rules that reflect how the players want to play can be implemented with ease. Computer games, on the other hand, have a wider appeal. Anyone who plays the online game you play can get your references or comment on your character. In the end computer RPGs have a larger but more casual community.

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