Playing or Designing?

All topics including role playing games, board games, etc., etc.
Post Reply
User avatar
Persimmon
Ulthal
Posts: 551
Joined: Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:11 am

Playing or Designing?

Post by Persimmon »

I've come to realize that as much as I love playing and DMing/CKing rpgs, I actually enjoy the process of writing adventures and world building even more. Even if we never get to play lots of the stuff I've written, I really just enjoy the creative outlet. It really helps me clear my mind of all the other stressful things in life. I guess it also ties into the fact that I've long wanted to be a novelist, but I've realized I'm not great at the dialogue or character development. So this allows me to tell stories without needing to worry about that stuff as much ;) I think I'll always write scenarios even if I stop playing entirely.

Plus, these days, it's much easier to sit down and write some adventures than it is to get people together to play. I've got zero interest in VTT gaming, though I'm considering doing some by Zoom. Since the pandemic it's been gaming with family members only.

How about others? Do you prefer playing, CKing, or designing adventures?
Behind closed eyes, realize your sight....

User avatar
Ancalagon
Ulthal
Posts: 664
Joined: Tue May 03, 2011 1:13 am
Location: Bellevue, NE

Re: Playing or Designing?

Post by Ancalagon »

Persimmon wrote:
Tue Mar 30, 2021 11:15 pm
<snip>
How about others? Do you prefer playing, CKing, or designing adventures?
I enjoy all three. 8-)

I'm most comfy behind the screens DMing / CKing... especially if I'm running adventures I designed. ;)
Imaginatio est Vita
Grand Knight Commander

User avatar
Buttmonkey
Greater Lore Drake
Posts: 2090
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:00 am

Re: Playing or Designing?

Post by Buttmonkey »

That is a tough question. I theoretically would enjoy playing the best, but I find it isn't as stimulating as GMing. I get bored quickly when the spotlight is on someone else. I really enjoy the immersion of GMing -- you're always "on." But GMing is also stressful and lacks the pure fun of playing. Designing adventures is enjoyable, but kind of empty unless I get around to playing them (I haven't played much over the last 2 years) and I'm a semi-improvisational GM, so prepping super detailed adventures and campaign settings is off the table. Basically, I'm a fussy baby that refuses to be happy.
tylermo wrote:Your efforts are greatly appreciated, Buttmonkey. Can't believe I said that with a straight face.

AntiquarianAspirant
Ungern
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2021 6:37 am

Re: Playing or Designing?

Post by AntiquarianAspirant »

I love designing the most, since it gives me such a wonderful creative outlet, but I start to grow numb to it if I can't actually put those concepts into practice. Playing is great fun and takes most of the stress off of me; all I have to do is be canny and clever and careful in the DM's world and that's about all it takes, which is a very different sort of outlet, and quite wonderful in its own right. DMing is incredibly stressful, but it lets me actually put my ideas into practice; an unparalleled joy.

User avatar
Bifford
Site Admin
Posts: 124
Joined: Fri May 24, 2019 7:39 pm

Re: Playing or Designing?

Post by Bifford »

When I have the TIME I like to design and run.

When I have lots on (most of the time!) I like to play - that way I can enjoy the narrative and descriptive writing, but without having to think about the plot and everything.

User avatar
Julian Grimm
Greater Lore Drake
Posts: 4609
Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 7:00 am
Location: SW Missouri
Contact:

Re: Playing or Designing?

Post by Julian Grimm »

My schedule lately has left it to where I am just running canned adventures in canned worlds. I enjoy writing and designing but I just don't have the time. I do scratch the itch my doing small filler adventures or modding what I am running. One day people will have enough pleasure boats and I will get to have a life again.
Lord Skystorm

Grand Knight Commander KoTC, Member C&CS

Donner Party Meats: We're here to serve YOU!

AD&D per se is as dead a system as Latin is a language, while the C&C game has much the same spirit and nearly the same mechanics. --Gary Gygax 8/16/06

serleran
Mogrl
Posts: 14094
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:00 am

Re: Playing or Designing?

Post by serleran »

All three are playing in a different way, so I suppose that, as the minutiae is not sufficient for me to distinguish to a level of importance.

Post Reply