1 of 4

Write now Article Tools

I was a very active role-player for most of my life. Though I still hold a strong love of the game(s), I find that my adult life it far too limited in time to engage in a full-scale war against evil army of ogres. Opinions of roleplaying games vary from the accusations of the satanic destroyer of our youth to vivid worlds of imagination, I have found great benefits bestowed to me from my gaming days.

My first, and overall favorite, of all roleplaying games was the ever popular Dungeons and Dragons. I hold a great fascination with fantasy settings, worlds full of dragons, elves, and magic. Where modern day cell phones, guns, and cars can't tread. Survival and supremacy are judged by the skill with a sword, knowledge of the arcane, or the shadowed arrow of an assassin. Dungeons and Dragons captured my heart and soul.

Where I lived as a young teen were a small group of kids my own age, or close, that played on a regular basis. Being schoolmates, I was subject to day after day of verbal discussion concerning the latest adventures on the bus ride to and from school. On the weekends when school was out, they would gather at one of their houses to act out their scenarios. Their gaming sessions would carry them throughout the weekend.

I had asked to play numerous times, and was either immediately turned down, or ignored. Finally, after exhausting all my humbleness, I was granted access to play. I was handed about ten books, called manuals, and told to read them front to back. Only then, would I be allowed to play. Their reasoning was that; if I was willing to read that entire stack, I showed enough dedication to join their group. It was a very undesirable way to learn the game, and I almost threw in the towel, but I read every word. Years later, I was a master of the game, creating my own adventures, and hosting my own gaming sessions.

Now, I realize to what benefit(s) it was to me. First and foremost was reading. Roleplaying kept you reading, no matter if you were a player or the all powerful Dungeon Master. There were the modules, or adventures, that had to be read. The manuals were read over and over, and always referred to in between readings. If you created your own adventures, there was a research for ideas or ways to make your ideas work. There is little that can increase knowledge, and expand the mind, than reading. In the age of televisions, computers, and video games, reading is in danger of becoming a lost art.

Roleplaying games were always

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The benefits of table top role playing games?
We want to hear your view. Write now!