by NIKKI ROBERTI
Lifestyles Reporter

Acting may seem like only a thing for the stage, but for many students, it can also be a pastime and social gathering.

Role play is a type of game where players typically create a character and roll dice to further themselves along in a story or imaginary world controlled by a story teller, or “game master.”

Eric J. Zeitler, sophomore recreational management major, said he enjoys playing this kind of game because it’s not like the usual forms of entertainment available.

Zeitler

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s different from most games and it gives me a chance to use a different creative thought process than I usually do.”

Zeitler has been playing Dark Heresy for about a year. Dark Heresy is a game developed by the makers of Warhammer 40k, a model-based game.

“[Warhammer], that’s all about real time strategy like Starcraft,” he said. “[Dark Heresy] is much more like [Dungeons and Dragons]. It’s a lot of you talking.  You’re basically saying what you’re doing. It involves a lot of acting.”

Junior history major Dan J. Rogers played Dungeons and Dragons for three years and now currently plays an older role-playing game called Mage.

“It’s really just nerdy people socializing with each other and being allowed to let your imagination go crazy,” Rogers said. “It’s kind of fun.”

Zeitler said although he’s aware that there is a stigma that surrounds role-playing types of games, he doesn’t care.

“Definitely people get images of the nerds from the 80s and early 90s with pocket protectors,” he said. “I understand where that comes from.”

Rogers said he thinks the stereotype comes from the people who play themselves.

“I guess there is an image in pop culture associated with us,” he said. “But it’s created by a lot of people who play the games. It seems like most people poke fun at themselves which is fine.”

However, Zeitler thinks the nerdy image from the 80s and 90s is wearing off.

“It’s totally changed since then,” Zeitler said. “The mentality has changed, just like with everything else. It really isn’t as defining as it used to be.”

Those interested in learning to play a role-playing game should look for already established groups to join with, Zeitler said. He also said it is really quick to learn once surrounded by those who already are playing.

Most role-playing games come with a rule book which sets up the foundation of the game. Investing in the book is also a great way to learn.

Although not everyone in a group needs a rule book to play in a role-playing game, Zeitler encourages those interested to buy it.

“I always recommend people getting a copy if they can as to support the guys who make the game,” he said.

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