The Importance of the Individual

by Matt Blackie 

There are a slew of RPGs out there, and recently, there has been a boom in the RPG business. As a result, there's a lot of varied games. There are traditional RPGs like Final Fantasy VIII, semi-traditional RPGs like Xenogears, Strategy RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics and Kartia, and other, more one-of-a-kind RPGs like Parasite Eve.

As I just said, the RPG business is booming, even in American markets which were previously dominated by Mortal Kombat-esque beat-them-bloody games and sports games. RPGs are becoming popular like never before, and the band of devoted gamers is as diverse as any group could be. They all have different tastes in RPGs, and their own ideas for what is best and what is most important.

Why do they play RPGs? Why do we, the RPGamer gang, play RPGs? We play them for the plot. No, wait; we play them for the character development. That's not true; we play them for the music scores. I'm still not right? We play them for the graphics, the linearity, the non-linearity, the charm, the feel. I'm contradicting myself, you say, and you're entirely correct.

The problem is, everything I have just said is entirely correct. It's well-known that SaGa Frontier was hated by many people (I severely disliked it myself). It had fairly good graphics, was handled well, and had nice music. However, its complete lack of any sort of plot and character development recieved harsh commentaries from most gamers. Yet even still, there are a small number of gamers out there who liked (and even loved!) the game. This must mean that people don't play RPGs for plot.

Graphically, FFIV wasn't very enthralling. However, the wonderful plot, sound, and character development make this one of the most-loved games in RPG history. This must mean that graphics don't matter in an RPG.

Suikoden had a good plot, but little or no character development for most of the 108 characters. However, it handled well, had amazing sound, nice graphics, and was loved by most of the gaming crowd. I bet that since this game doesn't have much character development and because it's loved so, that people don't play RPGs for character development.

Each of those statements are completely absurd. If you were to poll every gamer in the world, you would find a large number of people who prized non-linearity in a game. You would also find advocates of plot, linearity, character development, graphics, feel, gameplay, and any other aspect of RPGs you can think of. Personally, I prize plot and character development above the other aspects, but that doesn't mean I don't think the other aspects aren't important.

The bottom line is this. You play RPGs for your own reasons. You play RPGs because you love character development, not because "they" like character development. Or you play RPGs because you like the wonderful musical scores, not because "they" play for great music. Or you may play RPGs because you love the freedom to explore, not because "they" do. It all boils down to what you, as an individual, desire.

Why do we play RPGs? What is the real reason?

I have no clue. You tell me.