D&D

Why do we still play video games? Why do we play video games with so many people? Why do we accept the restrictions of a computer program and yet still constantly bitch about exploration, excitement, freedom, and replay value?

Dungeons and Dragons came out in the 70s and sustains a cult following... only it's the greatest game ever. I understand that as someone who enjoys it, I may be biased, but take something like cult films. I like Donnie Darko. I like Rocky Horror. I like This Is Spinal Tap. But I can see that these films are not for everyone. And D&D isn't for everyone either. But if you play Oblivion, if you play WarCraft, if you play any fantasy themed RPG and have an ounce of imagination then D&D is a hundred times more entertaining.

Maybe that's the problem, though. Kids these days don't like to imagine things.

But you don't need to dive into the deep end to play. That's what your DM is for. The DM can tell you details about anything, and you still get to imagine crushing your enemy's skull with a hammer, or driving your blade through their eye socket (just two of the kills of tonight's little escapade). It's wildly entertaining. And once I get a solid grip on the game mechanics (and maybe a few solid books) I one day want to be that DM. I want to imagine adventures and be just as entertained by the story that evolves from the characters as they are by the story that unfolds infront of them.

Some people may criticise that I'm getting too old to be playing games like that. I think I'm getting too old not to. Especially since I enjoy the thrill of creating worlds and scenarios so much.