I Am a Geek, But So Are You.

So I confessed to Marcela that I have not only played an RPG (role playing game) but that I enjoyed it immensely. I enjoyed it enough to do two things which brought down more ridicule upon my head - a) I purchased my own set of various sided dice and b) researched a Matrix based D6 Legend game and printed out all the rules of game play and assembled them into a three ringed binder with tabs to organize various aspects of the game. She really laughed when I showed her my little binder (I didn't dare show her my dice). She said she has a certain image of the types of people that play RPGs (a gross and harmful stereotypical image I am sure) and she said that she couldn't accept that I played an RPG. I told her that she shouldn't knock it until she tried it. She still laughs at me and brings it up in a hurtful joking way. It doesn't phase me because I am confident in who I am and I am going to elaborate on why RPGs are fun and not just for basement bound geeks.

RPGs allow a person to create a character that the player gets to act out - an alternate personality if you wish to go that far. This is no different than good old Johnny Depp or Marlon Brando acting in your favorite Hollywood hit. Score 1 for the geeks.

Before game play can even begin, one must create their character, but also understand a vast lexicon of rules and terms so they can be able to create a character within the bounds of the physics of the world in which your character must live and thrive. This calls for extreme mental capacity and fortitude in order to keep track of not only your own attributes (strength, weapon skills, magic if you have it etc) but you need to be aware of the attributes of those around you so you know who you can call on if you need help. You also need to know how to increase your attribute strengths so that you can progress and become a better player in the game. Great care must be taken so that you nurture a good character and if you are lucky, this character can be with you for a long long time to help you through your various quests.

During game play, one must maintain strict attention to the proceedings as the game master reads the scenario and dictates the various problems, needs and desires of the various characters of the game. The quests are laied out and one must be mindful of how to best accomplish these tasks so as to benefit not only him/herself, but also the other players. It is really a community battle against the giant ogres or whatever terror is running amok in Maroox.

Finally, what is the difference between running around a little guy named Mario, or being the controller for a Halo III character, or Gathering Pokemon characters and categorizing them and learning all there is to know. I submit to the reader that these endeavors, while more accepted in society are in fact baser pursuits in gaming. Those who tackle the vast challenge that is organized RPG play commit themselves to a true mental challenge that invigorates the imagination as well as the quantitative segments of the brain. Should one study up on all of the Red Sox player stats or the latest Pokemon character traits, or should one create their own character with unique personality and traits which mirror their creator and take on battles more complex than any computer could preconfigure. I believe I have answered that question.

Good Night.
p.s. I still have never actually played the Matrix D6 Legend RPG. It looks great, but frankly, I only have one person who I could get to help me organize game play.

Toblog's photo is of the girl that made fun of me. That's what she gets for making fun of me; she gets her face plastered to my blog (though it is an adorable picture wouldn't you say?)