Role Playing Games

Main Entry: role-playing Pronunciation: 'rOl-"plA, -'plA Date: 1949 transitive senses :  Act Out intransitive senses : to play a role	Main Entry: 1game Pronunciation: 'gAm Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gamen; akin to Old High German gaman amusement Date: before 12th century 1 a (1) : activity engaged in for diversion or amusement :
from Merriam-Webster Online
Role playing, in essence, is putting yourself in someone else's place, and reacting to situations the way you think that person would react. In Cowboys and Indians, if the Apaches are waiting down the block in ambush, the sheriff's posse just didn't catch the bus to sneak by them. No, you had to get on your horse (stick horse, bicycle, what-have-you) and ride out to look for them. It's what John Wayne would have done, after all. - Guy W. McLimore, from ©1997, Plaid Rabbit Productions. All Rights Reserved.

I guess now I'm supposed to ramble on philosophically about the nature of gaming and its influence on my life.  That's not me, though, so I won't waste your time or mine.  Gaming has been both a boon to my life and the bane of my existence.  It has caused me no end of trouble, but has given me courage in the face of adversity.  

How do I really feel about the concept?  I'm not entirely sure, let's just say that it is not something I regret, just something I've accepted.

Time to move on though.  I will still game, that will never change.  I use it as an outlet for both my imagination and a release of pressures from daily life.  During my life, I've played in all seven types of game (as described by the Intrepid (Levi) Kornelsen in The Seven Models Of Roleplay,) and would rate them, in personal preference as:

1. Growth Experience - Both as a player and a game master
2. Simulation - I like to make the characters live through the players and the game master
3. Theatre - Characterization and portrayal are integral to a strong campaign
4. Story - Excellent situational awareness make for exceptional games
5. Socialization - Interaction is paramount to enjoyment for everyone involved
6. Recreation - I find satisfaction more important, but fun is also very important
7. Game - I am definitely not a systems person, the games I enjoy are very free-form even in their exactness

 With around 20 years of gaming experience, I've become relegated to the role of game master and find these styles to be most stimulating to both myself and my players.  My gaming style ranges from linear, plot-driven experience to open-world freeform gaming and anywhere in between.  As with everything, games are catered to the players above all else.  RPG.net has an extraordinary resource of essays and articles on roleplaying theory and practice.

Lately, I've been looking for a way to get my players together.  Most are spread throughout the world, and I needed a good solution.  Well, I've found it and it's called GRIP.  For more information, the FREE player module and the 60-day evaluation of the GM version, check out:

Now I know some of you reading this are curious as to what I actually play, and not to disappoint you, I've included a list and links for my favorite games: