Gamer Advocacy Links

Some people just don't like our hobby. Some even actively try to give us grief and make our lives hard. It's sad that some people through ignorance or close-mindedness just can't accept our form of fun. While we may never change their minds, we can at least be informed about the issues, and what we can do to protect ourselves. As I can find them, I will post links here to help inform gamers about relavent issues.

|Rational Sites/Articles|Irrational Sites/Articles|

Rational sites generally take a fair look at roleplaying, from their own perspective. Irrational ones are often sad, though some are hilarious. I list both Pro- and Anti- gaming articles, as the rational thing to do is give both sides of the argument...

And of course check out the best "Gamer Advocacy" site I've found, The Escapist. They have a ton of useful and informative info. Also please check out Studies About Fantasy Role-Playing Games, a neutral site listing scientifically documented studies about RPG games.

The Great Gaming Debate

Fact #1:

Most people who have a rabidly anti-gaming outlook on life cannot generally be convinced by any method that they are being close-minded or ignorant.

Fact #2:

The USA is a free country so everyone, even persons who vehemently oppose roleplaying, have the same rights we do to state their views and believe what they want to believe.

How to Cope:

If you have the unfortunate circumstance to meet someone who really opposes our hobby, keep in mind:
• Don't try and convince them the roleplaying is harmless fun. You can't make someone change their mind. They tend to believe that we roleplayers are brainwashed by some great conspiracy anyway, so the more we try to defend our hobby, the more they tend to be convinced they are right.
• If these people happen to be your family, you are likely to be in for a rough ride. Especially if you are under 18, please realize that going along with your family's views may be the least painful solution. I didn't say agree, I said go along with. That means don't sneak around or try to defy any prohibitions against gaming. Simply accept that until you turn 18, your best option is to reduce the stress between you and your family. Gaming will still exist in the future. You can wait and resume your hobby when you get your own place someday in the future. Give your gaming books to a friend for safe keping until then.
• Please know that, however you feel about the subject, people who try to convince you to stop gaming honestly feel they are doing you a favor. Please keep in mind, that as much as you may dislike them and their views, they really do believe they are helping you. Don't hurt them in return. Please try to reduce or avoid confrontation. The future of acceptance for gaming involves being "good citizens" in every sense of the word. If we can look back and show that gamers are good and helpful people, that is the best way to show gaming is a decent hobby anyone can enjoy.

Rational Looks at Gaming

Irrational Looks at Gaming

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This page was last modified on: 31 January, 2007