Why I play role-playing games?
I have actually been asked this a lot before. This is largely because I was one of very few gamer gals in my area for a long time. Like many gals that game I got into it originally because of a relative, boyfriend or spouse (in my case it was a previous boyfriend, but my spouse is also a gamer). I play for several reasons...
#1 THE STORY
I LOVE to read. I can get absolutely lost in a great story and read a book cover to cover if I have opportunity. I just can't put it down. RPGs are much like this. You attend every week because you want to know what happens. In some ways they are more addictive than books because the characters are more unpredictable. Your fellow characters don't know the plot any better than you do - while characters in books are all put together by the mind of the author - who knows the whole story.
#2 FRIENDS
Role playing game involvement is an easy way to plan a regular gathering of friends. If someone accepts your invitation to play in one you will regularly see them. I can't say this of my non RPG friends. Although I value those friendships just as much I don't see them very often due to family obligations, work etc.
#3 IT'S CHEAP ENTERTAINMENT
O.K. I'm being honest here. Like many people today, I live on a tight budget and I can game for several hours with friends and not spend a dime as long as I have brought my own food. Can you say this for many other social activities these days? I borrow books from others, bring dice I've had forever and I only need my character sheets and a pencil to play. I might be out less than $10 for a new figurine if I don't happen to have an appropriate one for my character - and that will last the whole campaign, which can be several months or years long, depending on how often your group gathers.
#4 IT'S DOWNRIGHT HUMOROUS
You aren't limited by your physical attributes or gender in an RPG. I can play literally any gender or type of being in the book. I can be creative and invent an elaborate background for my character and his/her entire life up to the time the game starts. This can make for interesting role play! Additionally, the group of guys and one or two gals that I used to play with are witty and funny people. The situations we get ourselves into are sometimes perilous, but always fun.
#5 FAMILY TIME
Currently, I am not gaming because I volunteer to watch my 18-month old while my husband runs a pirate, swashbuckling RPG. However, I know several of the guys in our group are now teaching their older kids to play and the kids appear to love that time with their dads. If you talk with one of the kids about it their eyes literally light up as they describe details of their characters and what happened to them. The time and attention they get from dad during an RPG is special to them and it appears to be a great bonding experience. My husband and I plan to do the same with our little one when she is old enough (he's already got her throwing the dice for him now and then).