http://www.rampantgames.com/blog/?p=5257
A look at Dungeons and Dragons, the not so scary pen and paper RPG
In a world filled with all sorts of dangerous ways to 'escape' the overwhelming complexities of our daily lives, games, are the lesser of many evils. Fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons, have been considered as harmful as drugs. To some people they are the causes for serious human tragedies. In simple fact, they are a useful forms of escape for both children and adults.
These games allow people to forget the things that are bringing them down in their real life and step into a role more enjoyable. In games like Dungeons and Dragons they get to 'escape' with their friends, and in a cooperative environment. Some people like to come home and watch hours of mind-numbing television, while others look forward to hours of stimulation creativity and cooperative fun.
Video games, the modern version of those original pen and paper RPG's are also a mind-exercising form of escape, and just as effective at de-stressing. In regards to the "harmful" affects of violent video games on kids, my response is this: There are rating on games, same as movies and television that tell parents what games are appropriate for each stage of maturity. Pay attention to what kind of entertainment your children are immersing themselves in. If your child has bought a game that is rated too high for his/her age, you need to take that issue up with the retailer who sold that game to your child. In regards to pen and paper games, I argue that they are far, far more helpful to childhood development then they are harmful. Parents worried about their children being inducted into a cult, or losing their sense of reality, seem to have no problem subjecting their children's minds to reality-altering programs on TV.
I could go on and on about this topic and argue back and forth about the different types of harmful entertainment our society is exposed too. As well as the forms of entertainment that aren't as harmful as they have been made out to appear. Long story short, role playing games are good skill building tools and an excellent way to unwind at the end of the day.
A look at Dungeons and Dragons, the not so scary pen and paper RPG
In a world filled with all sorts of dangerous ways to 'escape' the overwhelming complexities of our daily lives, games, are the lesser of many evils. Fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons, have been considered as harmful as drugs. To some people they are the causes for serious human tragedies. In simple fact, they are a useful forms of escape for both children and adults.
These games allow people to forget the things that are bringing them down in their real life and step into a role more enjoyable. In games like Dungeons and Dragons they get to 'escape' with their friends, and in a cooperative environment. Some people like to come home and watch hours of mind-numbing television, while others look forward to hours of stimulation creativity and cooperative fun.
Video games, the modern version of those original pen and paper RPG's are also a mind-exercising form of escape, and just as effective at de-stressing. In regards to the "harmful" affects of violent video games on kids, my response is this: There are rating on games, same as movies and television that tell parents what games are appropriate for each stage of maturity. Pay attention to what kind of entertainment your children are immersing themselves in. If your child has bought a game that is rated too high for his/her age, you need to take that issue up with the retailer who sold that game to your child. In regards to pen and paper games, I argue that they are far, far more helpful to childhood development then they are harmful. Parents worried about their children being inducted into a cult, or losing their sense of reality, seem to have no problem subjecting their children's minds to reality-altering programs on TV.
I could go on and on about this topic and argue back and forth about the different types of harmful entertainment our society is exposed too. As well as the forms of entertainment that aren't as harmful as they have been made out to appear. Long story short, role playing games are good skill building tools and an excellent way to unwind at the end of the day.
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