RPGs... the Real Reason We Play Them

by JD Cyr 

I was reading through RPGamer editorials, and it seems like everyone has a different opinion as to why people play RPGs. Funny thing is, within all of these obviously dedicated RPG players, no one seems to have noticed the one real (or at least most sensible and widely applicable) reason people play these games. Opinions differ, but I've been playing console RPGs for as long as anyone, and I know what attracts me to the genre. The most valid reason people play this genre of game... is FEEL. Let me elaborate.

This "feel" refers to the ambiance, the way the RPG can draw the player in to to actually LIVE the adventure, the emotions and sensations it can evoke. The way it can turn a person's regular day into an exciting adventure. To put it simply, a whole change of setting, of lifestyle, of identity; ...an escape. Why is this the real reason? Because to exist, it has to incorporate a load of other factors; good, simple storyline, up-to-date graphics, excellent character and enemy designs, ambient, exciting music and sound, good control, well paced game play, a good game engine, well designed settings, etc. To name only one of these couldn't possibly justify the reason people play these games. "feel" is a simplified answer to a complex weave of dozens of sub-components, and it's what is thought of and considered first.

When feel like playing that certain RPG, you don't say to yourself "Hmmm, I could really go for some more details from that great storyline right now!" or "You know what? I'm really in the mood to see some smoothly animated 3D polygonic characters and FVM." That would be stupid. What you DO think about is the FEEL of the game, the type of game play it offers, and then you decide whether to play it or not. It's the main factor in determining if a game will even make it in the market, fail miserably, or become a classic hit. If you'll notice, all the mediocre RPGs have very little, or an undetermined feel, and are quickly forgotten.

The reason people buy RPGs is a whole other question. Usually one would buy a game according the its physical look and premise; Its general consumer appeal. Nowadays RPGs are seen advertised on television, and if displayed as a game with nice graphics, are sure shots to hook a nice chunk of today's brain dead populace (FFVII). Then of course there's the dedicated fans of the genre, and faithful followers to certain RPG companies. This type of person will usually buy a game from a reputable company right off the bat, or get extra information before their purchase. For these people, the amount of time a game lasts is also an important factor. All in all, "feel" is certainly not a very effective technique of propaganda to sell RPGs... graphics are the key in this case.

The general public doesn't play games for the storyline, not for the engine, and not for the soundtrack. Sometimes for the graphics, but what really hooks them and keeps them coming back one they start playing... is the feel.