I tend to be a quiet person most of the time. I am the type of introvert that can seem very extroverted. I tend to be quiet around new people or in new situations, but once I get my bearings, or in the right circumstances, I can be very energetic. RPG’s tend to pull introverts out of their shell, and can help “over the top” extroverts to reign it in.

RPG’s are great at helping people explore different aspects of their personality while making new friends and deepening relationships with existing friends and family.

Being able to do things in make believe that I could never do in reality is the appeal.

Magic, monster-slaying, being fantastically wealthy, exploring other planets, traveling in space.

The guy from my high school who said he’d open his own game store and did, says that he tells parents who are concerned about RPG’s that the biggest problems are that their kids will read more and do more math.

I get just as vivid images in my mind with RPG’s as I do reading a book. It transports one out of their current circumstance to another world, so to speak.

RPG’s require participation and cooperation. Problem solving and listening skills are improved.

There is a lot of good to be found in playing RPG’s.

There are downsides to RPG’s. They can be a time sink. One can find total refuge from the real world and ignore dealing with real world needs and situations. We all need to step away from our issues periodically to “catch our breath”, or re-charge so we can deal with the trials and tribulations of real life. Seeking only refuge and escape, as with drugs, alcohol, or whatever your method of hiding from reality is, can be a problem.

Where an RPG blogger draws the line is interesting. I suppose if you make your living in the world of designing and playing, or making accessories of one kind or another, RPG’s can make them like any other job, where one finds their fill a bit quicker than one would like.

What is too much time lost in the realms of RPG’s for me is not too much for you, and vice versa. Unique individuals each have different tolerances, and we should know those limits and not cross them. For GM’s too much time preparing can lead to burnout, so that is bad.

As with any activity too much is not good, and we can all agree that not enough is a tragedy! Find the balance in your life, make the RPG part of your life a way to build relationships with others. Perhaps you will find the right people you need in your life for other situations.