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We all accept that games are escapism. They allow us to do things or experience things we never could in reality. But at the end of the day they aren’t real.
I think I may have finally realised why I like RPGs so much. RPGs usually revolve around building up a character (or number of characters) allowing them to progress through the game and through their quest. You can see their skills increasing and maybe that gives some sort of sense of achievement.
But I don’t think this is the main reason. In an RPG the actions I take make a difference. And it’s not the same as other genres. It’s not like a FPS where I simply shoot or sneak my way around areas to complete objectives. Because while most game genres have their focus firmly on the player and his/her enemies, in an RPG the non-hostile characters you encounter are just as important as the enemies in progressing the game. And I make a difference to those people in the game.
Playing through Chrono Trigger recently I stopped a war, saved ancient man from extinction at the hands of Reptites, gave new hope to the people of a post-apocalyptic future, then changed the whole course of history by defeating Lavos. But on the way I helped individuals. I saved a boy from execution, and later met him working in his father’s shop. I helped a woman save a forest from monsters. I gave a woman some Beef Jerky for free so she taught her children the value of generosity (no joke).
And I got to see the results of the actions. I could go back and talk to these people whenever. But it’s not real is it. These ‘people’ I helped are just in a game, they’re not real. But I still feel like I’ve done something. Why? I think it’s the world we live in. Going back to the opening paragraph, games are an escape from reality. Maybe by playing RPGs I’m escaping a reality where I feel I can’t make a real difference. Or maybe I just enjoy saving the world. Real or not.
I think I may have finally realised why I like RPGs so much. RPGs usually revolve around building up a character (or number of characters) allowing them to progress through the game and through their quest. You can see their skills increasing and maybe that gives some sort of sense of achievement.
But I don’t think this is the main reason. In an RPG the actions I take make a difference. And it’s not the same as other genres. It’s not like a FPS where I simply shoot or sneak my way around areas to complete objectives. Because while most game genres have their focus firmly on the player and his/her enemies, in an RPG the non-hostile characters you encounter are just as important as the enemies in progressing the game. And I make a difference to those people in the game.
Playing through Chrono Trigger recently I stopped a war, saved ancient man from extinction at the hands of Reptites, gave new hope to the people of a post-apocalyptic future, then changed the whole course of history by defeating Lavos. But on the way I helped individuals. I saved a boy from execution, and later met him working in his father’s shop. I helped a woman save a forest from monsters. I gave a woman some Beef Jerky for free so she taught her children the value of generosity (no joke).
And I got to see the results of the actions. I could go back and talk to these people whenever. But it’s not real is it. These ‘people’ I helped are just in a game, they’re not real. But I still feel like I’ve done something. Why? I think it’s the world we live in. Going back to the opening paragraph, games are an escape from reality. Maybe by playing RPGs I’m escaping a reality where I feel I can’t make a real difference. Or maybe I just enjoy saving the world. Real or not.
I think the ultimate RPG would consist of a complete online world. But there are a great deal of problems in that, one is of people hacking the game and cheating (to get exp., better weapons and items, etc.)
However, the major problem that springs to my mind is that of setting. Some people will want a classical sword & sorcery RPG, others a post apocalyptic RPG, others still one with vast cities and high tech gadgets. A way I see through this is time portals much like in Chrono Trigger. When creating a character you define what time period they start in and you can use time portals in certain places (for a price). Possibly if you get rich enough you buy vehicles that allow time travel, or if you are a magic user and you get to an extremely high level you can time travel by magic...
Just my ideas...
However, the major problem that springs to my mind is that of setting. Some people will want a classical sword & sorcery RPG, others a post apocalyptic RPG, others still one with vast cities and high tech gadgets. A way I see through this is time portals much like in Chrono Trigger. When creating a character you define what time period they start in and you can use time portals in certain places (for a price). Possibly if you get rich enough you buy vehicles that allow time travel, or if you are a magic user and you get to an extremely high level you can time travel by magic...
Just my ideas...
Good post. When we see MMPORGS becoming more common (PSO Online etc) we'll be able to seeing large sprawling environments where you WILL be able to make a difference and see the effects in real time - not in a game. I can imagine a future where everyone plays the same online RPG. That would be simply magnificent.
We all accept that games are escapism. They allow us to do things or experience things we never could in reality. But at the end of the day they aren’t real.
I think I may have finally realised why I like RPGs so much. RPGs usually revolve around building up a character (or number of characters) allowing them to progress through the game and through their quest. You can see their skills increasing and maybe that gives some sort of sense of achievement.
But I don’t think this is the main reason. In an RPG the actions I take make a difference. And it’s not the same as other genres. It’s not like a FPS where I simply shoot or sneak my way around areas to complete objectives. Because while most game genres have their focus firmly on the player and his/her enemies, in an RPG the non-hostile characters you encounter are just as important as the enemies in progressing the game. And I make a difference to those people in the game.
Playing through Chrono Trigger recently I stopped a war, saved ancient man from extinction at the hands of Reptites, gave new hope to the people of a post-apocalyptic future, then changed the whole course of history by defeating Lavos. But on the way I helped individuals. I saved a boy from execution, and later met him working in his father’s shop. I helped a woman save a forest from monsters. I gave a woman some Beef Jerky for free so she taught her children the value of generosity (no joke).
And I got to see the results of the actions. I could go back and talk to these people whenever. But it’s not real is it. These ‘people’ I helped are just in a game, they’re not real. But I still feel like I’ve done something. Why? I think it’s the world we live in. Going back to the opening paragraph, games are an escape from reality. Maybe by playing RPGs I’m escaping a reality where I feel I can’t make a real difference. Or maybe I just enjoy saving the world. Real or not.
I think I may have finally realised why I like RPGs so much. RPGs usually revolve around building up a character (or number of characters) allowing them to progress through the game and through their quest. You can see their skills increasing and maybe that gives some sort of sense of achievement.
But I don’t think this is the main reason. In an RPG the actions I take make a difference. And it’s not the same as other genres. It’s not like a FPS where I simply shoot or sneak my way around areas to complete objectives. Because while most game genres have their focus firmly on the player and his/her enemies, in an RPG the non-hostile characters you encounter are just as important as the enemies in progressing the game. And I make a difference to those people in the game.
Playing through Chrono Trigger recently I stopped a war, saved ancient man from extinction at the hands of Reptites, gave new hope to the people of a post-apocalyptic future, then changed the whole course of history by defeating Lavos. But on the way I helped individuals. I saved a boy from execution, and later met him working in his father’s shop. I helped a woman save a forest from monsters. I gave a woman some Beef Jerky for free so she taught her children the value of generosity (no joke).
And I got to see the results of the actions. I could go back and talk to these people whenever. But it’s not real is it. These ‘people’ I helped are just in a game, they’re not real. But I still feel like I’ve done something. Why? I think it’s the world we live in. Going back to the opening paragraph, games are an escape from reality. Maybe by playing RPGs I’m escaping a reality where I feel I can’t make a real difference. Or maybe I just enjoy saving the world. Real or not.