A Person's Perception of a D&D Player

Gangrell · 08-24-2003, 12:46 PM

Can someone explain something to me? I've looked at tv, I've listened to some of my friends talking, and everyone has a common love for games like Bg2 or Neverwinter because they are really good games but this is what is bugging me. You can play those games infront of others and they wouldn't think different of you, but why is it that people look onto PnP D&D players as nerds? Not even that, I may be a nerd or a geek or whatever, but why is it when you play that game people see it as not having a life? Because you have to figure out things using mathematics and the like (because there's not a computer to do it for you), or because it's an RPG.

I'm just wondering, PnP D&D has been my favorite game of six years now and I just wanted to know it's looked down on from people. Anyone else heard of this or have an opinion?

SpiritWarrior · 08-24-2003, 12:57 PM

It's simply stereotypes. Don't bother wasting your time trying to figure it out, many people like their prejudices.

Bozos of Bones · 08-24-2003, 01:00 PM

The people who think people who play PnP D&D's are nerds are stupid(did I complicate this or what?). It's as simple as that. Personally i'd rather walk around a dungeon with two of my best friends and my DM than go somewhere drink my ass off. Although i enjoy the latter very much.Offcourse that PnP separates me from all the other people, but the point is the bonding with those three guys i play with. Just don't overdo it because one day your alarm clock will go off and you'll smashit with your fist thinking it's a hook horror or somehing. Have measure.

WOLFGIR · 08-24-2003, 02:05 PM

Stereotypes is a hard case to fight sometimes. People will think of people as they see them in their minds, based on what they have heard etc.

CRPG's have lessened the "Nerd" factor it seems since computer games are getting bigger, more popular it isn't geeky anymore. When I grew up, playing computer games were geekier then playing PnP games. Why? Cause it was something with "computers" that most people thought where just huge calculators.

So, best thing to do, learn by their misstake and keep an open mind and don't be to quick to judge

Attalus · 08-24-2003, 02:51 PM

Plus, that dumb movie, "Mazes and Monsters" didn't help things.

Gangrell · 08-24-2003, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Attalus:
Plus, that dumb movie, "Mazes and Monsters" didn't help things.

I don't believe I've seen that movie [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] Then again, the Dungeons and Dragons movie didn't make it any better either.

wellard · 08-24-2003, 06:45 PM

PnP D&D Nerdy ??? mmmmmmm

Lets see, you are with friends using your imagination, solving riddles and exercising your math ability, sitting safely in someones house. Versus sitting at home watching the idiot box TV or hanging around outside on some street corner getting up to no good [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] I know which one I would prefer, and my kids to choose [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img]

Lord Lothar · 08-24-2003, 09:16 PM

Because PnP has been stereotyped as a game that only nerds and weak people play...think about it: a nice bright sunny day outside, people playing sports...and then there's a bunch of nerds sitting inside a dark house going through an imaginary dungeon, doing math calculations. Regardless of how much fun it is, people will stereotype you.

Ladyzekke · 08-24-2003, 09:43 PM

I remember that movie Attalus.

And I saw something recently on Lifetime, wish I could remember the title..

But it was a true story, and about how one night, someone broke in this family house and stabbed the mother and father many times in their bed, but the mother (miraculously) lived. In the end, the movie follows the investigation, it turned out to be their son (with friends). He was into D&D, had lots of books and him and his friends would reenact scanerios with swords underground, in the city's sewers and such. This movie totally started to focus on D&D, like that was what warped this kid, but umm, he was taking a LOT of drugs, including heavy amounts of LSD. I thought the movie really made D&D look bad, bogus.

True_Moose · 08-24-2003, 09:50 PM

Well, there are something like 3 000 000 kids in the US who play D&D, so of course there're gonna be some freakshows. And on LSD...my god, how can you possibly try and pin that on D&D?

People who stereotype D&D have never played it...trust me, the last thing you'd think of one of me and my friend's campaigns is nerdy. Dirty, disgusting, wrong, yes, but not nerdy.

08-24-2003, 12:57 PM	#2
SpiritWarrior Jack Burton Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 5,854	It's simply stereotypes. Don't bother wasting your time trying to figure it out, many people like their prejudices. __________________ Still I feel like a child when I look at the moon, maybe I grew up a little too soon...

08-24-2003, 01:00 PM	#3
Bozos of Bones Apophis Join Date: July 29, 2003 Location: The Underdark cavern of Zagreb Age: 37 Posts: 4,679	The people who think people who play PnP D&D's are nerds are stupid(did I complicate this or what?). It's as simple as that. Personally i'd rather walk around a dungeon with two of my best friends and my DM than go somewhere drink my ass off. Although i enjoy the latter very much.Offcourse that PnP separates me from all the other people, but the point is the bonding with those three guys i play with. Just don't overdo it because one day your alarm clock will go off and you'll smashit with your fist thinking it's a hook horror or somehing. Have measure. __________________ MAKE LOVE, NOT SPAM!

08-24-2003, 02:05 PM	#4
WOLFGIR Bastet - Egyptian Cat Goddess Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Sweden Age: 50 Posts: 3,450	Stereotypes is a hard case to fight sometimes. People will think of people as they see them in their minds, based on what they have heard etc. CRPG's have lessened the "Nerd" factor it seems since computer games are getting bigger, more popular it isn't geeky anymore. When I grew up, playing computer games were geekier then playing PnP games. Why? Cause it was something with "computers" that most people thought where just huge calculators. So, best thing to do, learn by their misstake and keep an open mind and don't be to quick to judge __________________ Don´t eat the yellow snow

08-24-2003, 02:51 PM	#5
Attalus Symbol of Bane Join Date: November 26, 2001 Location: Texas Age: 75 Posts: 8,167	Plus, that dumb movie, "Mazes and Monsters" didn't help things. __________________ Even Heroes sometimes fail...

08-24-2003, 06:45 PM	#7
wellard Dracolisk Join Date: November 1, 2002 Location: Australia ..... G\'day! Posts: 6,123	PnP D&D Nerdy ??? mmmmmmm Lets see, you are with friends using your imagination, solving riddles and exercising your math ability, sitting safely in someones house. Versus sitting at home watching the idiot box TV or hanging around outside on some street corner getting up to no good [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] I know which one I would prefer, and my kids to choose [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img] __________________ fossils - natures way of laughing at creationists for over 3 billion years

08-24-2003, 12:46 PM	#1
Gangrell Iron Throne Cult Join Date: January 2, 2003 Location: Big Castle in the Sky Age: 36 Posts: 4,835	Can someone explain something to me? I've looked at tv, I've listened to some of my friends talking, and everyone has a common love for games like Bg2 or Neverwinter because they are really good games but this is what is bugging me. You can play those games infront of others and they wouldn't think different of you, but why is it that people look onto PnP D&D players as nerds? Not even that, I may be a nerd or a geek or whatever, but why is it when you play that game people see it as not having a life? Because you have to figure out things using mathematics and the like (because there's not a computer to do it for you), or because it's an RPG. I'm just wondering, PnP D&D has been my favorite game of six years now and I just wanted to know it's looked down on from people. Anyone else heard of this or have an opinion?

08-24-2003, 09:16 PM	#8
Lord Lothar Quintesson Join Date: August 7, 2002 Location: Oakville (next to the T.O.), Ontario, Canada Age: 34 Posts: 1,097	Because PnP has been stereotyped as a game that only nerds and weak people play...think about it: a nice bright sunny day outside, people playing sports...and then there's a bunch of nerds sitting inside a dark house going through an imaginary dungeon, doing math calculations. Regardless of how much fun it is, people will stereotype you. __________________ \"King Kong ain\'t got NOTHING on me!\"

08-24-2003, 09:43 PM	#9
Ladyzekke Ironworks Atomic Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Virginia, U.S.A. Age: 57 Posts: 9,005	I remember that movie Attalus. And I saw something recently on Lifetime, wish I could remember the title.. But it was a true story, and about how one night, someone broke in this family house and stabbed the mother and father many times in their bed, but the mother (miraculously) lived. In the end, the movie follows the investigation, it turned out to be their son (with friends). He was into D&D, had lots of books and him and his friends would reenact scanerios with swords underground, in the city's sewers and such. This movie totally started to focus on D&D, like that was what warped this kid, but umm, he was taking a LOT of drugs, including heavy amounts of LSD. I thought the movie really made D&D look bad, bogus. __________________ Reality Show Recaps

08-24-2003, 09:50 PM	#10
True_Moose Gold Dragon Join Date: June 18, 2002 Location: Wolfville, NS / Calgary, AB Age: 36 Posts: 2,563	Well, there are something like 3 000 000 kids in the US who play D&D, so of course there're gonna be some freakshows. And on LSD...my god, how can you possibly try and pin that on D&D? People who stereotype D&D have never played it...trust me, the last thing you'd think of one of me and my friend's campaigns is nerdy. Dirty, disgusting, wrong, yes, but not nerdy. __________________ [img]\"http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f13/true_moose/Siggy.jpg\" alt=\" - \" />

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Grossly Distorting Perception	pritchke	General Discussion	2	11-26-2003 08:53 PM
Your perception of world leaders.	Leonis	General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005)	8	01-31-2003 08:15 AM
Self perception. How do you see yourself?	Yorick	General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005)	17	01-31-2003 12:17 AM
Anyone remember where the Cloak of Perception is?	GreaterDemon	Miscellaneous Games (RPG or not)	7	01-21-2003 01:30 PM
I have a -64 in perception !	Jorath Calar	General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005)	5	01-14-2002 03:38 PM