RPG's & Psychology

Andrew Cowley
Feb 2, 2023
5 min read

Research on the psychology of role-playing games (RPGs) has explored a variety of topics, including the effects of RPGs on social skills, problem-solving, creativity, and well-being. Some studies have found that playing RPGs can lead to positive outcomes such as increased social competence and improved mood, while others have found no significant effects or even negative consequences such as increased aggression.

However, it is important to note that the quality of research in this area is variable and more research is needed to establish clear and consistent findings. Furthermore, the effects of RPGs on players can be complex and depend on individual differences and the specific context in which the game is played. Overall, the psychological effects of RPGs are an area of active research, and more studies are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these effects and to identify the conditions under which RPGs may be most beneficial for players.

Learning Needs to Be Fun

As a personal testimony, Role Playing was a huge factor in my growth as a teenager. I was at the low end of the school stream, had difficulty reading, and writing and lacked any focus. By the time I was old enough to be looking at taking exams, the school told my parents that I wasn't smart enough to take any qualifications at the end of school.

Then one day, as my duties as a school prefect took me to the library during dinner time breaks, I found a group of D&D players in there. As I watched them playing, it was like they were creating their own movie, I could see the action playing out in my mind, wizards and rangers, Paladins fighting against insurmountable odds with powers and magic. I arrange to partake in their hospitality and generate a character after school that day.

Sadly my level of education was such that I couldn't spell any of the words that were needed to make a character; we didn't have characters sheets back then (1979) everything was written down by hand. I remember vividly constantly asking my friend, "How do you spell constitution? How do you spell Dexterity?" I couldn't even add up the numbers on the 4D6 or tally my experience points.

The thing is, by playing the game, my interest and imagination had been engaged and I wanted to learn, I started to become more interested in history, and geography by doing maps and towns, and then we started to play science fiction games and physics and astronomy became useful and interesting. Storytelling and reading were fun now!

That year, I won awards for Most Improved in Science and for several other subjects. I was put forward for 8 exams and got decent final results in all of them. This, in my humble opinion, was the result of RPGs hitting the sweet spot in order for me to want to learn. I wasn't too dumb to take exams, I wasn't getting the correct stimulus to learn!

Role-playing Games (RPGs) are an emerging form of gaming, originating from ancient strategy games such as chess. Unlike wargames, RPGs are cooperative and focus on the interactions between individual players, rather than groups. The Dungeon Master (DM) controls the non-player characters and sets the missions, tasks, and challenges, while players control characters with set abilities and characteristics, determined by numerical values. To perform actions, players roll a die and add/subtract values based on their character's abilities. This creates a narrative-based interaction between the DM and players, with the outcome relying on the players' imaginations. The setting of RPGs can range from fantasy to science-fiction, with the first commercially available RPG being Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), published in 1974.

Despite controversies, such as the "Satanic Panic" in the 1980s and criticism over the depiction of race, D&D has grown in popularity, with over 50 million players and a revenue increase of 24% in 2020. This surge in growth is partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of D&D subscribers doubling between 2019 and 2020. D&D has also been credited with supporting people's mental health during the pandemic.

D&D has a long history of media coverage linking it to negative outcomes, but no evidence of a causal relationship. In recent years, the game has been credited with providing personal-political edification and moral training, while also reinforcing harmful associations towards others.

Role-playing games have been around for decades, providing players with the opportunity to escape into a world of adventure, fantasy, and excitement. However, in recent years, role-playing games have evolved into more than just a source of entertainment, with educators, trainers, and managers discovering the potential of role-playing as a learning tool.

One of the key benefits of using role-playing in learning is that it allows participants to experience different scenarios, situations, and perspectives in a controlled environment. This enables learners to build their skills, knowledge, and confidence in a way that feels natural, without the pressure of real-life consequences. For example, in a sales training scenario, participants can role-play a sales pitch, negotiations, and objections, while receiving immediate feedback from a coach or instructor. This type of immersive learning helps to build a strong foundation of skills that can be applied in real-world situations.

Another benefit of role-playing is that it encourages learners to be more actively engaged and participatory. Unlike more traditional learning methods, such as lectures or readings, role-playing requires learners to be involved in the learning process, forcing them to apply their knowledge, think critically, and solve problems. This active engagement not only increases their motivation to learn but also helps to embed knowledge and skills more effectively in their memory.

Role-playing can also be used to develop soft skills, such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. For instance, in a team-building scenario, participants can work together to solve a problem, while practising effective communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution. This type of role-playing can help to build stronger teams, foster better relationships, and develop the interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

It's also worth mentioning that role-playing games can be adapted to suit different learning styles and needs. For example, some learners may prefer a more structured, formal role-playing scenario, while others may benefit from a more free-form, improvisational approach. The flexibility of role-playing means that it can be tailored to meet the specific learning needs of different individuals or groups.

In conclusion, role-playing can be an effective and engaging learning tool for educators, trainers, and managers. By allowing participants to experience real-world scenarios, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and build confidence, role-playing has the potential to transform the way we learn, develop and grow in both personal and professional capacities.

Chivalry & Sorcery, a contemporary RPG to D&D however, takes a historical look at Role Playing, placing the player's imagination firmly into the past. It is through the lens of history that the players navigate their characters through stories, that are parallels or parodies of history, or just the game master's imagination colouring the landscape of History.

Stamford Bridge, what was it like travelling north with King Harold's forces to meet with Hadrada? 1066 and facing off against Normal Cavalry, what was it like as a Saxon in the aftermath of the Norman conquest? These and a plethora of other questions provide the storyline for an almost infinite experience in Chivalry & Sorcery and an interest and urge to discover more about the past of Medieval Europe, or through Land of the Rising Sun, Feudal Japan.