Search
Wednesday, November 19, 2008..:: Forums::..Register  Login
Forums > Role Playing Games (RPG's) > Dungeons & Dragons 1e-3.5e
Subject: Why is Fantasy so Popular

You are not authorized to post a reply.
AuthorMessages

Gristlemane
Sergeant
Sergeant
623 Posts


View Have/Want List View Trades View References View Email View Profile


06/28/2006 10:27 PM  
An interesting thread on RPG.net

http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=240278

I didn't respond there, and in fact don't often go there, because the posters there can be kind of elitist. In fact I didn't even bother to read what everyone said in the thread. Anyway, I wanted to get your opinions here.

My own feeling is that there are four reasons.

1) Familiarity
Most roleplayers grew up reading Tolkien, not Jules Verne. Naturally, they are going to roleplaying in the fantasy worlds that they know.

2) Suspension of Disbelief
I am one of those annoying people that are irritated by movies that aren't logical. It's funny, but I have a harder time with the lack of realism in movies that try to be scientific and aren't than those that acknowledge they aren't realistic.

For example, I hate the fact that James Bond uses his own freaking name and drives around in fast cars drawing attention to himself. Real life spies would never do stuff like that. But I don't have a problem at all with the ray guns and flying saucers in Mars Attacks.

3) Availability
There simply aren't a ton of people out there who want to play d20 modern with me. I'm sure others have experienced the same with d20 star wars. Or whatever non d20 thing it is that floats your boat. There are simply tons of more players available for fantasy games than non-fantasy.

That means that even people who would like to play something else end up playing fantasy because it's the only show in town.

4) Endless Possibilities
If you play science fiction, or a realistic game, it has to work in the real world. You can make up whatever you want in a world with magic, and no one cares if it isn't logical. You can have a world whith flying castles or talking lion men roam the plains. The only limit is your imagination.

[EDIT] I just wanted to add that I find this quote extremely amusing.

quote:
Not to put too fine a point on it, but the fact behind this ideal is: "White guys who are insecure about their penis sizes can wave their katanas around with a good chance of not looking like complete retards." . . . And the katana is more appealing than the .50 Desert Eagle to the average compensation-seeking gamer nerd.
It's deja vu all over again.
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Forums > Role Playing Games (RPG's) > Dungeons & Dragons 1e-3.5e > Why is Fantasy so Popular



ActiveForums 3.7
Play Dreamblade Now!
You must be signed in to participate in the games.
Copyright 2003-2008 by maxminis.com   Terms Of Use  Privacy Statement