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Benefits of being a Role Player

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:12 am
by Liam Kelly
Alright, so this Friday I am attending a job interview where I have been asked to make a 5 minute presentation about a subject that I am passionate about. I am thinking of speaking on the social and cognitive benefits of role playing games.

I figured that I would seek advice and thoughts on this subject. What do you guys think as some of the social and cognitive benefits we get from being role players? How does it affect our lives outside of game? What disadvantages does it pose?

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts.

-Ben Honor

Re: Benefits of being a Role Player

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:17 am
by Melissa
I have lots of answers to this, but first one that comes to mind: small talk. You get really, really good at small talk.

Because if you can idly chat about made-up characters in a made-up setting and the effects of next week's execution, you can idly chat and be interested in pretty much anything.

Re: Benefits of being a Role Player

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:33 am
by Liam Kelly
Very true. I'd love to hear your other answers as well.

Re: Benefits of being a Role Player

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:48 am
by Ted
Planning! Roleplaying games involve a lot of simulations where you work out a plan with a lot of people working together, with plenty of uncertainty that you just work through anyway.

Imagination! You're thinking about what's possible, rather than what is. The more you do it, the more you can see the world with possibilities and maybe start thinking about changing them.

Empathy! Another thing about roleplaying is that you're putting yourself in someone else's shoes, often. This means you're spending a lot of time thinking about how other people might think, which can help understanding people in real-world affairs.

Math! It depends on the game, but a lot of the game involves numbers, but in a fun, applied, and engaging way. I've seen people who generally don't like math learn to do a lot of it, because it can be less intimidating in game form.

Problem-Solving! Thinking about a game in terms of problems and how to solve them means you have more ideas how to solve problems elsewhere too.