RPGs and Society

For as long as RPG's have been around, there has been a social stigma and dark cloud surrounding them. This arises from at least the following reasons:

• It's rare to find an RPG that doesn't have witches, monsters, magic, and spells.
• Most RPG's tend to have characters with superhuman or inhuman characteristics.
• RPGs and video games in their extreme can become addictive and excessive play is detrimental to physical health.

In both instances, the RPG developer incorporates these elements to create a fantasy that will inspire the imagination of players. The goal is to create an engaging player experience that is different from the real world where players are able to ¡§escape¡¨ from the constraints of real life. In a sense, this is the problem for most all videogames.

RPGs and a History of Bad Press

As the popularity of roleplaying games and video games in general increase, so too will their mentions in the press. Today it's common-place to see reports linking video games to violence, obesity, addiction, and even criminal elements. In its extreme, video game addiction is no less detrimental than the symptoms of drug addiction. Players can become so engrossed in their fantasy worlds, that separation from the game is difficult and the ¡§real world¡¨ becomes an altered state. Such instances are rare and often sensationalized in the press (perhaps rightly so..), but the concept of roleplaying addiction and danger has a longer history.

BADD (Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons)

One of the earliest instances of RPGs getting negative press coverage occurred as a result of BADD (Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons) and some rather humorous accusations. BADD is an organization that was founded by an angered mother who thought a teacher had placed a curse on her son while playing D&D. Despite the accounts from other players stating no event like this ever occurred, the mother took her case to court where the court threw it out immediately. She then went on to form BADD and began spreading negative propaganda about Dungeons and Dragons and other RPG's.

Roleplaying Games and Religion

After some research and investigation, it's not clear that any religious group has a concrete stance of opposition toward the gaming genre. For the religious and non-religious alike, the source of negativity surrounding RPG's is often fueled by the accusations made in the past and continuing press coverage today.