Because Real Life Sucks…

Often, people who look down on gamers like us will say stupid things such as : “Get a life !” or “Why don’t you live in the Real World ?” What they don’t realize is that most geeks do have a real life, some have a career, a wife/husband and children on top of that. They’re not necessarly no-life losers, unlike what the mass media want you to believe. Roleplaying is just the bit of evasion they need to relax and remain sane enough to not go on a rampage at work or at home.

If people roleplay, it’s to get away from the stress or boredom of so called “Real Life”. Some people do work stricly for money, at a job they don't necessarly like. Often, the sheer amount of stupidity they have to deal with during a single work day would be enough to drive one completely nuts. Then the temptation of going berserk on a bitchy customer/boss/colleague increases by the minute. It's during these time that roleplaying becomes a bless. Escaping the harsh reality of daily grind just for a few hours is what allows them to get just enough relief to be able to retain the little bit of sanity they still have.

Believe me or not, roleplaying has therapeuthic effect. Because you can spend a few hours/days out of your usual self, letting off your steam on some eeeevil giant bugs, for example, you won't feel the urge to hit people across the head with a two-handed axe when they act rude or just plain stupid as much as you would if you had no way to escape it when work is over.

Doing it online is good enough, but doing it live feels even better; as you grab a foam sword and rush towards the "enemy" to make him regret being alive. Of course, you're not meant to hurt him for real, but using up energy in a pretend battle is just as thrilling and satisfying, I can assure you. In fact, if you really need to hurt people, then it's no longer a game and you might be one of those sickos who give roleplaying a bad name.