Will Role-Playing Games be Next?

Recently Stan Lee – yes, that Stan Lee – wrote a letter defending video games and cites similarities with the witch hunt going on in the comic book industry half a century ago. What does this have to do with RPGs? Read on and find out.

There are many similarities between comics, video games an role-playing games. First, all three are – or at least have been – seen by the wider culture to only appeal to teens and dead-beats when, in actuality, all three of these forms of media have been adopted by many segments of the populace. Second, all three forms of media have dealt extensively with moral dilemmas among the protagonists: is vigilantism ethical, is it okay to kill an innocent person to save many more, should the upright even ally with the unjust if it will serve the greater good?

Also, there has been a free-flow of ideas between these forms of entertainment. For instance, there are comics based on role-playing games (Dungeons & Dragons), video games based on comics (Dungeons & Dragons), role-playing games based on video games (Diablo), and probably every other permutation. Because of this, the lines blur between the three art forms. Anyone who condemns one is, in actuality, condemning all as the only difference is the method in which the story is conveyed.

What’s worse is that people like Jack Chick have been attacking RPGs for decades so it is not hard to imagine a collaboration between the video game bashing groups and the role-playing hating groups. The worst part is, most people who attack games in any form have not even played the game in question and, thus, cannot speak with any kind of authority.

I am unconcerned with those who complain that games are a waste of time. I personally feel that football is a waste of time; but these two views are opinions and neither I, nor most people with a similar complaint against gaming are trying to convince others to stop an activity that they enjoy. However, most of the individuals claiming that gaming is detrimental to society are trying to sway parents and the government to their line of faulty thinking; and, as said before, many in this camp have never even tried the games which they attack. The worst though are the completely irrational group (like Jack Chick), who believe that people are worshiping evil entities when they play games. Obviously drinking insane amounts of Mountain Dew and Diet Coke and eating a convenience store’s worth of Doritos is how Satanists practice their religion.

That’s enough of my rambling though. For those interested, Stan Lee’s letter can be read on the Video Game Voters Network. I would encourage you to pass this link (Video Game Voters, not mine although that would be appreciated as well) to anyone whom this may concern.