If you are reading this article then I don't have to tell you of the fun that can be had playing games of Dungeons and Dragons - my own particular preference - or any other role-playing game. Suffice to say there are few hobbies that can stir the imagination and satisfy the creative process in the same way. The depth of the commitment is the only limit on the rewards that you can reap from your pursuit.
In my first five years of learning the game (five of twenty-five I have now invested, and believe me there is always more to learn) I did little more than play. I later joined the ranks of the Dungeon Masters, though I never gave up the thrill of creating characters and playing in other worlds. I got my beginnings when I found and joined a club that had formed at our local park distric. This organization was devoted to war-gaming, battle recreations and tabletop parlor games. There was a small group which occupied a table in the corner, away from the thundering guns, that drew my attention with their talk of swordplay and magic spells. My closest experience with this fantasy genre had been the books of Robert E. Howard and J.R.R. Tolkien and here they were, coming to life, and allowing people to participate and shape the world in their own way. There was no turning back.
Since that time I have played in countless worlds and tournaments, pick-up games and ongoing campaigns, and most recently games of the online variety. Internet gaming offers its own challenges and nuances. Hopefully we can explore them together and develop ways to integrate into these new worlds, ways that promote playability and the maximum amount of fun. After all, any hobby on which you spend your time should be as enjoyable as you can make it.
The first hurdle that presented itself was finding a game. There are many places to go where people are playing. A simple search will offer hundreds of suggestions and forums, but how do you join and how can you be sure the game you join is suitable to your own style of play? The answer is simple but the solution requires some work. You have to ask questions and be open, honest and forthcoming about your own experience and level of play. You will find few things more frustrating than joining a game where the players are new and you are not, except perhaps a game where the group has played together for years and you have recently cracked open the rules for the first time. The way to avoid these pitfalls is to ask those questions that glean the right answers. Don't be afraid to send e-mail, or instant messages if they are more convenient, to the person in charge. You will find the vast majority of Dungeon Masters to be highly receptive. They may be busy at the moment you contact them, but give them the chance to get back to you at their convenience and they may have something for you right around the corner. Be courteous; the same protocols that apply in everyday life also apply on the World Wide Web. Nobody wants to spend their time and energy on a pushy person when there are so many others who are willing to be respectful and kind. Every DM has put a great deal of work into their projects with the express purpose of sharing the results with others. It only stands to reason they want as many inquiries as are out there. If their hands are full, they will let you know quickly and they might even have some ideas on where to go to find what you seek.
The next obstacle I encountered involved choosing the format in which I desired to play. There are two main styles online, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. One is the online "posting board" - or play-by-post - variety. It requires a minimal time commitment and allows for greater occasion to craft your words and story. The DM begins the tale and gets their group together. With each new DM post, the players are notified as to the current situation and are invited to post their own responses and actions. While the descriptive aspects of this game are enjoyable, if you are looking for a style that speeds along like a face-to-face game, you could be disappointed.
Fortunately, there is an alternative. Another venue is the chat room game. There are a number of varieties, but most distinctly they come in two types: the open forum and the traditional refereed kind. Open forums are there to jump in at any time. Simply create your character, go into the chat room, and play. The only limitation here is the other players' acceptance of what you are doing. You have to acclimate to the environment, get a feel for the others in the room, and make judicious decisions regarding your actions. Although they can be chaotic, they can also be a quick way to spend a little time and have some fun.
The other approach to chat room gaming is much more organized. It is structured like a face-to-face game including a location, a DM, and one or more players. It can include maps and dice rolling programs made available to players. Be sure to ask your DM what they are using and where you can get these supplements to play. Most are free and can be downloaded quickly and easily. If there is one major difference between online and face-to-face games it is the vocalization of those involved. You simply don't have the ability to hear the tone of someone's voice or see their face online in a chat room. The best solution to this problem is to be very specific with what you type. Do not assume that innuendo, sarcasm and irony will come across in the written word. So often a word or phrase is typed in haste and misinterpreted by the others in the room. Be patient, be specific and if something goes awry, learn from the mistake and move on. After all, it is only a game and not meant to be a life and death issue. Everyone is dealing with the same problems; you are not alone.
In closing, feel free to send your questions and comments to me via e-mail at CreativeMountain@aol.com and I will address the inquiries in future columns. Above all, learn to enjoy yourself and the others who game with you. You have the opportunity to make new friends all over the world. Where else but the Internet could you travel to mythical places in your mind with people from thousands of miles away in reality?
