Be Good to Yourself

Play the game you want!

I am increasingly convinced that what we play, how we play, and who we play with matters.

We play games for the enjoyment it brings. Enjoyment naturally involves a number of factors and is individualistic. What is enjoyable to one person, may not be to another.

Throughout the decades, games have been a social thing for me and group play constituted my preferred way to participate in this hobby. This is one of the reasons why I have only dabbled infrequently into the video and computer RPGs, but I never really devoted myself to that aspect of the gaming pastime. It's also a contributing factor to my hesitation around playing online. I honestly prefer the comradery and interpersonal interaction associated with in-person play around a physical table.

However...

There comes a time when not everyone can agree on the system to play, on the schedule of game-day or time, or on one or more of any of the myriad of other factors upon which modern humans find reasons to disagree. 

I currently find myself faced with a choice of playing at a game that I don't enjoy, one that centers on a style of play I find less than appealing, and is published by a corporation that seems intent on alienating a segment of the FRP gaming hobby as they brand their way to success, or of my going my separate way from friends who are uninterested in the style of play or the systems I prefer, so as to continue to enjoy the hobby. 

I also find that as a result I have nearly lost my interest in this hobby. 

Nearly, mind you. (I have pulled back from it for a time as I re-examine what it all means to me.)

I am somewhat comforted by the knowledge that I am not completely alone in experiencing this alienation. I know there are others who also enjoy the style of play I prefer. There are gamers who play the systems that I find interesting and appealing. I know all this because I read their blogs and watch their videos. I also see that some of them play games solo, either occasionally to complement their group play or exclusively solo as a preference.

I have played solo TTRPGs as part of my hobby enjoyment for many years. I don't recall now whether my first foray into solo play was via a Tunnels & Trolls solo adventure such as Buffalo Castle or perhaps playing the Death Test MicroQuest using Melee and Wizard (all published by Metagaming Concepts). I have fond memories of both game systems and have frequently revisited them over the subsequent years. Finding enjoyment in these early solo adventures, I have been encouraged to sample various solo friendly products from a variety of publishers. At this point, my collection of solo and solo-friendly materials allows me quite a variety in gaming choices without the need for gathering a group.

Feeling comfortable is a good thing. So is compromise. Adaptability is often a necessity, as is patience.

And when I find myself alone, there are still many ways to enjoy the hobby.