The Amazing Benefits of RPGs (and Where to Start)
When you hear about RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons , you’re probably thinking of a dimly lit basement filled with people in silly clothes throwing dice, but that’s not all. RPGs are not only incredibly fun, but they can teach you skills that you will use in the real world.
When I first heard about RPGs, I immediately thought that this is something that is only meant for the most nerds. I could only imagine how ridiculous it would be to sit at a table with other people and act like someone or something else, pretending to fight goblins and dragons. The whole idea struck me as “too provocative” – even as for someone who was into video games and other “boring” things.
Fast forward a couple of years and I found I was completely wrong. Once I found a moment to strip off the monster and sword façade, RPGs turned out to be something much more interesting than other traditional games. Behind the fantasy adventure was a fun social event that required you to tiptoe, problem solve, be creative, and ultimately learn to become a team player. Sounds familiar? Yes, that’s because it looks like any job. It turned out that it was not really about dungeons or dragons, but about critical thinking and teamwork.
Now I am addicted to role-playing games as often as possible. It’s nice to escape the hard work and troubles of the real world, but with every game session I play, I find myself actually learning something too. Maybe it’s me and the way I think, maybe one of my friends that brings us closer together, or maybe I’m just finding a new way to look at something that I didn’t think about. I learned that RPGs are more than just games, and more importantly, they are for everyone.
Benefits
The game develops creativity
Creativity is at the heart of role play. They have a certain quality that allows you to go beyond the typical game interaction. You have real freedom and the ability to promote the story however you see fit. Each game has its own rules, but they are just the skeleton of any story you and your team want to create.
Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to energize our brains , and RPGs do it incredibly well. When we tell stories or relive them, our brains must process language, cause and effect of events, and also relate them to our own pre-existing experiences. While you are playing the role-playing game, your brain is working at full capacity.
This is good for you, just as chatting or reading a book is good for you. In fact, as John Michaud of The New Yorker explains, reading comes with territory :
… D. & D. is text, storytelling, world creation, excellent apprenticeship for aspiring author. But more importantly, you can’t play D.&D without reading – a lot. Ed Park’s essay on D. & D. (included in the Bound to Last anthology) notes the game’s excellent vocabulary … combined, the player’s guide, the Dungeon Master’s guide, and the monster guide (the core of the advanced D. and D. book) make up up to four hundred and sixty-eight pages of small print in two columns. I read them with diligent devotion and unbridled glee. Almost immediately, television almost disappeared from my life.
Before Michaud started acting, he watched TV all day while his grades plummeted. However, as soon as the D&D fantasy entered his life, everything changed. Michaud even went so far as to say that Dungeons & Dragons “saved his life” because they helped him get better after reading more and finding what excited him. It may not save your life, but it can still make it better. As you play, you’ll develop creativity in a way you’ve never experienced before. Whether you launch the game as a Dungeon Master – control what happens to the players – or just play as one of the characters, your ability to tell stories will increase .
Dungeon Masters, also referred to as Game Masters in some games, should be especially good storytellers. Even if you are using a pre-set adventure in which most of the work has been done, you still need to be prepared to come up with dialogue and personalities for NPCs and be able to vividly describe the world your players are exploring. … As a player, you must find ways to make your character more interesting by creating personality quirks or a rich backstory.
RPGs force you to draw from what you know and create what you and others may enjoy. Dungeons & Dragons have also influenced many famous creators. Comedian Stephen Colbert, writer George R.R. Martin, comedian Robin Williams, Simpsons creator Matt Groening, and community creator Dan Harmon have all played at one time or another. Storytelling is one of the most basic creative skills you can use for a variety of other skills, and storytelling can even make you a more charismatic person . Dive into another world and see what cool things you can think of. You can surprise yourself with what you come up with.
The game improves your social skills
When you think about Dungeons & Dragons , you probably don’t think about social skills, but again, this is a stereotype that doesn’t necessarily correspond to reality. RPGs are 100% social. You must be able to talk with other people, express your attitude to certain situations in a group of people. The role-playing games have a built-in social network.
Of course, video games do the same to some extent, but they are not exactly the same. In role-playing games, interaction takes place right on your face, there are no screens between you. Plus, you can spend time with your friends. Before and after the game session, you can find out what they were doing and share what is happening in your life. Having learned the rules of a particular game, you can easily find new friends. You can join other game groups and find new friends; the process is easier because a gigantic patch of points of contact is right in front of the open sky. Making friends when you move can be very difficult, but you can head to your local games and hobby store to see if there are any groups looking for more players.
This well-developed social network can be especially useful for children. Some people may find it more difficult to make new friends, and forced social interaction in role play can help them find people who share their interests. In addition, both children and adults can use role play to combat shyness. Players are given a mask in the form of their character, which makes them feel less vulnerable. Using my characters as a vehicle made me feel more comfortable talking with others. Over time, I got over my shyness and felt comfortable joking and starting a conversation on my own. There is nothing wrong with being shy, but for those who really want to step out of their comfort zone a little, RPGs can offer some help.
The game encourages teamwork and collaboration
Most RPGs do not end with “win” or “defeat,” but they do require teamwork. Events are influenced by the actions of the players, just like in any other game, and not working with other players will ensure that the times are not very fun. RPGs are originally designed to work together, so playing a game that has no winners or losers can be a lot of fun.
Many games strive to be competitive, but life can be competitive enough, and RPGs provide a refreshing change of pace. It is also very important in the professional world to learn how to work in a team. You take on a role at work and do what you learn, and it works the same way in role play . Your character usually has a specific skill set and plays a role on a diverse team. Just like at work, if you don’t do your job, the whole team can be hurt as a result.
Of course, this does not mean that role playing is as serious as work. They may simply help you learn the basics of working with other people. You will get a feel for how to deal with interactions in a stressful environment. Maybe you will find that you are a good leader, building the perfect battle in which no one gets hurt. Or maybe you find that you are more like a support, ready to rush to someone’s help when they need it. You may be able to think outside the box and better than your peers and find a way out of difficult situations. There are no good or bad roles, only roles that you can fulfill. By learning how to play with a team, you can learn to work with it.
The game teaches problem solving skills
Problem solving is what drives the world, and RPGs are filled to the brim with this. Layers of problems are facing you and your partymates. You can solve the riddle as you travel through the maze, choosing the best way to destroy the gang of goblins, trying to solve the murder mystery, preventing the dark lord from taking over the kingdom. Let’s talk about problems.
RPGs and their campaigns are problem after problem that is difficult to solve. As each event unfolds in your game, you are forced to think and react. You develop your improvisational skills and feel energized when your group finds a clever way to solve a difficult problem. In fact, some of your most memorable moments are likely to be moments where you felt your back hitting a wall, but you managed to survive using your mind.
Learning how to solve problems develops your critical thinking and can help you approach future problems with the right mindset. In RPG games, you are both a chess player and a chess piece. You learn to see problems from different angles and realize that there is always light at the end of a dark, goblin-filled cave.
Fun to play
Seriously, RPG is a blast. Try this: Imagine a moment in the past when you did something that seemed a little silly to you. Maybe you were at a party, or maybe you had a few drinks and walked out onto the dance floor for a wedding. Something you worried at first about it embarrassing you, but once you gave up, it was one of the most fun you have ever had. This is what role-playing games are like.
Half the fun is letting go of the heavy world around you and playing like you’re a child again. You sit down at this table and suddenly run around the playground waiting for adventure and saving the world. Can you honestly say that this kind of entertainment is not for everyone?
Where to begin
Getting started can be the hardest part, but there are several things you can do to make it much easier. Unfortunately, I can’t even get close to explaining how to play all of the RPGs out there, but I can point you in the right direction.
First, you want to find a game that interests you. The world of RPGs can be very overwhelming, but it also means that literally everyone will find something for themselves. If you like science fiction, there is a lot of it. If you love fantasy, then this is a lot. Vampires? Check. Werewolves? Check. Superheroes, Lovecraft, zombies, aliens, Star Wars, wrestling … you name it, there must be an RPG for that. Hell, I even played a role-playing game based on the Mean Girls movie (and it was so cool). So don’t worry if you don’t like Dungeons & Dragons .
Do a little research and see what you can dig up. Google “[thing you like] role-playing game” and you may be surprised at what you find. However, some games will become more popular – which means it will be easier to join or start one of these types of games – but see what you find that interests you. If you’re not in the world the game portrays, you probably won’t enjoy life. In terms of recommendations, check out Fate , Pathfinder , Star Wars: Edge of the Empire , Call of Cthulhu, and (of course) Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition . You can even get an idea of what D&D is without paying a cent . If you’re still lost, head over to the Games & Hobby Store and ask around. You will definitely get more recommendations than you can.
When you find something that interests you, see what materials you need. Most RPGs require you to have at least a copy of the player’s manual. Some games may require additional books, so make sure you get what you need. These books can be very expensive – typically $ 40 and up – and the Amazon store won’t necessarily get you hooked. Shop online and check local game and hobby stores for the best deals. You can also find digital versions of almost every current game, and they can be significantly cheaper. There are a few more things you will need to play around with:
- DM or GM Guide: A Dungeon Master (DM) or Game Master (GM) can usually benefit from having this extra book.
- Dice: Usually you will need more than standard hex (d6) dice. Some games require custom dice sets. Always check what you need.
- Character Tables: You can usually find them at the end of the player’s manuals, but you can also find them for free on each game’s websites.
- Pencils: Not pens, especially if you’re just starting out.
- Spreadsheet: The more space you have for books and character sheets, the better. Some people like to use slatted mats and figurines, but this is not necessary.
- People: Alas, you cannot play these games alone. Trust me I tried it. It’s not that much fun. Two people will work as a last resort, but a group of four or five is usually more fun.
When you have all of these, you need to read. Lot. Role-playing games require some investment. The rules of each game can be complex, and while you shouldn’t let the rules be the focus of your gaming sessions, you should get a basic understanding of how they work. If you know someone who knows how to play, ask him to teach you! They will most likely be happy to show you the ropes. They may even have their own group and invite you to join, even if it’s just a few activities for you to learn.
Likewise, it doesn’t hurt to ask those around you if you’re looking for a band to play with. If none of your current friends play, check with your local play store. Many shops have regular in-store sessions, which is a great way to learn how to play without having to buy a set of rules or persuading your current friends to come play with you. At least someone can point you in the right direction. You can also find game groups online. Websites like Meetup.com can help you find other people in your area who are interested in the games you want to play. It never hurts to check the forums of major RPG publisher websites like Wizards of the Coast or Fantasy Flight Games for players.
Finally, if you find it difficult to understand how things work, YouTube is your friend. You can find countless videos with real gameplay and explanation of the rules for any game you are interested in. Watch a few games and you will begin to understand how the game should flow. This can be especially useful if you also want to launch a game.
RPGs are fun, addictive, and can really help you learn a thing or two. So get out, find a group, and don’t let the concept overwhelm you. Start playing with ease and you might even make new friends. RPGs are really for everyone, especially you.