So if I’m really going to give up Gaming, I need to find something else that gives me the same intellectual stimulation that I get from RPGs. The first step there is to determine what I like about Gaming.
1. Gaming stretches my creativity. When I do prepwork for games, I get to reach outside my comfort zone and make something new.
Other options: the Great American Novel, redirect the creative energy into my work.
2. Gaming makes me interact. Roleplaying games is one thing that I enjoy doing with others. It’s a safe environment, and I don’t feel incompetent or inarticulate.
Other options: Find people who share other interests with me.
3. Gaming provides good memories. I enjoy looking back on fun experiences.
Other options: Other games, do other things with the family.
4. Gaming challenges my problem-solving skills. How do I defeat that Abyssal with perfect defenses? Well, I have to know more about the character to solve the problem. If my players decide that they’re going to blow up Cinderella’s Castle (a valid plan in the Scion game I was planning), how do I handle that?
Other options: other games. Play strategy games, like Blue Moon City, Settlers of Catan.
What is less positive about Gaming?
1. Gaming becomes a focus. I like being an expert at things, and this is amplified when it comes to roleplaying games, because I’m the only one that reads them.
2. I don’t get to play. Like I said here, I don’t have time to play right now. When I want to play, but I can’t play, I read the book as a replacement.Because I read the book instead of playing, I double the time I would normally read the book. Then I spend additional time thinking about the stuff in the book. I think you can see where this is going.
