I've always found it troubling that most times the only way to advance through a roleplaying game is to slaughter anything that moves. In the old Ultima games, if the Avatar shows up, 10 to 1 most everybody will be dead in short order, for the good of the world of course. All those npc bodies that never disappeared, aagh! Land of Lore III had me weeping over my keyboard once the 4th portal world was completed because Gladstone Keep was in ruins with corpses and lava and evil beasties carnaging everywhere. Made me feel heartsick. But something keeps me coming back for more..
I admit to great satisfaction when I'm able to defeat powerful opponents, Amazoni Mantraps anyone? But killing the good guys (Oakenmir, Erathsmedor..) makes me feel a bit squeamish and shamefaced. Heck I had trouble killing Scabban. (He was so earnest, albeit totally nutso, hehe).
Not to place a moral overlay as to our true natures as people or gamers, but I wonder if playing these games in any capacity, (good or evil), actually keeps us from going "postal" in RL, considering the stress and frustrations of post-modern life. We get to vent and feel incredibly virtuous (or direly evil) without harming anyone. Well, except for not doing our homework, or housework, or feeding the kids, cats, dogs, husbands, the hobo at the door, and not being able to go outside without dark glasses because the light is too bright.
Elara
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