Why we Role Play

[@MrRalteria]

Rping gives us the opportunity to be the heroes we want to be in life. The consequences for failure are small in comparison, easier to deal with. It prepares us for dealing with those hard choices and failures in the real-world while providing a blank slate for us to succeed. It's truly a platform for real world character building. Well said, Jim.

[@jimmurphy1591]

MrRalteria I think you put it better than I did. 👍 Game On

[@lebulba]

Grimli's last words brought tears to my eyes, this is one of my favorite videos of all time

[@TheNerdySimulation]

You've got Spirt, kid. :D Thanks, Jim. You hit the nail on the head with that story and explanation. I recently lost my friend Nathan who, if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be the writer and storyteller I am today. He wanted to play D&D and because I was the only one out of the group that had played before, he asked if I would run and of course I couldn't say no. And, I don't think I would have been able to handle his passing as well if it wasn't for all those sessions of Roleplaying we had gone thought together.

[@jimmurphy1591]

I share your pain. But I bet like you, the time we spend with those friends makes it all worthwhile.

[@rickeymariu1]

My week is never complete without D&D. I think I'm kind of obsessed with it, but its a passion of mine. More than history or eduction.

[@ScribbleKith]

Rants are what I'm here for my man. That was a great story.

[@fmosquito9]

The 2 Matt’s have giving me inspiration to get back into D&D and run the game. The past 2 years I have with some highs and lows. Jim Murphy has giving me the wisdom to keep at it and keep looking for those “good players” that want to have those epic moments. Thanks Jim.

[@jimmurphy1591]

fmosquito9 Game On!

[@shaneflickinger]

Great story Mr. Murphy. Thanks for sharing!

[@destrosymphony1320]

Perhaps this is the lessons we acquire from all storytelling. The chance to make right decisions when the time calls for it.

[@jimmurphy1591]

DestroSymphony I like that! Seems very true

[@MisterFizzer]

That was an excellent story, Jim. I've only been playing for four years now, but I already see that fortitude building in myself and my players.

[@jimmurphy1591]

MisterFizzer great, game on

[@IronDisulfide]

One of my favorite RPG videos

[@IronDisulfide]

I just watched a video in which a psychiatrist talked about a body of studies that examined how playing particular characters impacted player behavior after the game. Basically, the research found a statistically significant difference between players who played a character like Superman and a character like the Joker. I'm massively simplifying what I heard in the video, but players who roleplayed as Superman were more statistically more inclined to donate to charity after the gaming session compared to those who played as the Joker. The statistical significance was even more apparent for folks with high levels of empathy. I mention all this because I think it's basically evidence that we absolutely do get some benefit from roleplaying as heroes. Practice leads to performance, or something like that.

[@VerumAdPotentia]

Another entertaining and interesting video Jim. Thanks and complements.

[@thebowedacious]

Hey Jim, I just found your channel after watching your interview with Matt. At the end of the interview I had to clap and cheer a little bit, it was so fantastic and I think the advice and stories are really evergreen and your enthusiasm is just infectious. Thank you so much for sharing your stories and insight in these videos, I can't wait to watch the rest. This video was very touching and made me think about the fact that I spend all week looking forward to my game. You truly are 'a river to your people' and I'm so happy you're here!

[@jimmurphy1591]

So glad you liked it. There are a lot of videos

[@sweetmeat]

I have a big fight planned before I put my campaign on hiatus for a while this video gave me all the inspiration I needed. Much appreciated!

[@jimmurphy1591]

Great to be if service

[@zombielijah]

Oh man that was a good story, I love it when you get that kind of investment in the game. I remember my first character was a Barbarian who just kinda did what ever and was reckless at first, but I had this simple backstory on him that he's been trying to find immortality his whole life and his only lead was a city of undead. It was vague and I didn't think I'd ever find it but I guess it was more than enough to run off of for the DM cause we'd get closer with every session until one day a year later, I was GOURGE! The Undead Barbarian!.. funniest thing that ever happened was when they put me in a bag of holding(because I didn't need to breathe) and hurled me into the middle of a group of enemies xD

[@jimmurphy1591]

Zombielijah Yelloh it can be a magical game

[@codysondergaard6834]

You’re a man of many stories, much wisdom, and mysterious hats. Keep being an inspiration, Jim. Thanks for the video.

[@bordenfleetwood5773]

Damn. That was heartfelt. Thank you. I believe that you captured this perfectly.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Borden Fleetwood thanks

[@igotsmeakabob]

Expounding on the stuff you discussed in the Matt interview is quite welcome (especially the history stuff!) because it's still one of my favorite videos on his channel. Such an animated conversation!

[@DougVehovec]

Chartmaster ha! You said it, mister.

[@frigginsepone446]

Fight us, devils, fight! For we hate peace! Have a good one...

[@benschillchannel8335]

I love your video so much, you are awesome. Love stories like this.

[@viffaria]

Great video! Thanks a lot, Jim!

[@gornser]

Loved playing and mastering Chart Master. Wouldn't touch it today if you payed me. MERP would be ok, I guess.

[@nonwashable9540]

Wonderful story! I think you're absolutely right that roleplaying has a way of demystifying experiences that we never come within miles of having in our own lives. We can have some of the toughest questions any sapient creature could face laid at our feet along with a party of close friends and suffer through them together. A campaign of D&D can feel like you've lived an entire second life alongside your own which is a deeply fascinating phenomenon. Speaking of NPCs and characters you meet in games as if they were real people. Recounting tales of heroics, sacrifices and triumphs as though you lived through them which in all the important ways you really did, they're as much memories as anything else when done well. I've sat at tables where after a particularly harrowing dungeon I felt physically exhausted when I had barely moved inches the entire time. Roleplaying, regardless of the system you play within, is a supremely unique thing to be a part of and the longer I play the less surprised I am by the extremely vast breadth of people who are interested in at least trying it and who unsurprisingly end up loving it afterwards. It shouldn't really be surprising given how "Make believe" is an integral part of growing up and theres no reason to think that we'd simply give it up no matter how old we get. Anyways, excellent video as always, sorry about the rain (kinda) but we got a video out of it so we came out ahead.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Non Washable you put it better than me. Thanks for the message. I really am enjoying the community of online game discussion. So many of you I wish I was playing with

[@nonwashable9540]

My pleasure, having the chance to talk to and learn from folks like yourself is one of the greatest things gained from this online space. Someday down the road maybe we can convince you to run a few of us through a one-shot on Roll20 or the like. Just so we can, as Matt puts it, experience a "Murphy Orc Trap!". Or run you through the ringer of one of our bizarre creations. Either way, thanks again, looking forward to the next video!

[@Josh2995]

That story gave me goosebumps. Wow!

[@andrewdixon9740]

After the final words of Grimli, i would have reached over the table and offered Steve a hand-shake. That's is the distillation of what role-playing is for me, the Heros journey, from callow youth to leader of men [or Dwarves] and finally becoming worthy of the appellation of Hero.

[@jimmurphy1591]

we went out to Hoff's Hut for coffee and onion rings and talked well into the late night about the game, life, the universe....you know everything

[@bhatfield1417]

Thanks for starting this KZbin channel Jim, it's doing exactly what you set out for it to do, I'm learning about the game, but you are right about keeping these stories around for us youngsters.

[@alexp.4270]

You've hit the nail on the head. This sums up the richness that RPGs can add to one's life. May you have many more games to be a part of.

[@Blindeyes1431]

That was absolutely insightful. I would have watched your video sooner but I was playing in a game. My group of friends and I hang out all the time and RPGs always seem appealing to us but never when it comes down to game day. I loved the concept of playing but DMing or playing wasn't really that exciting. We roll our dice, joke around, play goofy characters, whatever. But what we're all looking for is that Spirit. I'm pretty much the head of the group, the cool guy who always speaks his mind. I'm looked up to by my friends because I always have the best ideas - but I don't commit to anything. Watching this made me feel like I should earn that praise by being the person who forges those moments with them, make them feel special for a change. It made me realize I was being selfish and never lifting up my friends like they do for me everyday. Thank you, Jim.

[@dustintaub]

Jim, I love your videos. You're painting tricks have already changed the way I do things but when I saw your interview with Matt, that was the kind of stuff I was hoping you would do videos on. I can listen to your game stories all day long. I watch Matt's stuff because he's such a great storyteller but a lot of his advice is for beginners, and I've been playing for 26+ years. Watching you, I feel like a kid again. Thank you, Sensei. :)

[@russ4024]

This was a beautiful speech, Jim. It would make a great essay!

[@russ4024]

It reminds me of the famous line from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn where Huck says "Alright then, I'll go to hell" when he is presented with the decision to sell out his friend or damn his soul by violating society's rules. Anyone can do the right thing when it costs them nothing. Your true character and values are revealed when doing the what you believe could cost you everything.

[@nevernerevarine8071]

Beautiful note to end on. As always fantastic video. Keep it up!

[@darrenp9454]

Thank you for this video, you said some things I really needed to hear today.

[@jimmurphy1591]

I’m glad I’d resonated with you. Just do the best you can and the rest will work out as it can

[@catpeterson4922]

Awesome video, Jim. I appreciate your analysis, and agree wholeheartedly. I heard of a fairly contemporary study (sorry I can't cite it more specifically) that indicated memories of meaningful experiences while role-playing are stored no differently than those made in the mundane world; your brain doesn't matter how you made those tough decisions, only that you made them.

[@beepo111]

I love how these silly make believe games that we play can have such effects on our lives. I still think back on a few characters and games I've played for a few years ago and think findly of the time spent.

[@WeShallLoveOn]

Great story, you really put into words how I feel about gaming

[@marcopernechele5733]

Thank you Jim

[@timorr6008]

Thank you. This video is very inspiring.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Tim Orr 👍

[@3DPrintedTabletop]

Hi Jim, I hope I'm still playing roleplaying games when I'm as old as you, and that I have a fraction of the memorable moments that you've had. Thank you for expressing so elloquently what I've come to feel about my experience as both DM and cooperative storyteller.

[@jimmurphy1591]

DM Dojo my pleasure

[@chloepechlaner7806]

Another awesome video. I'm so glad you make these, they're really insightful

[@RuiSaltao]

Great content! I'm so glad I'm following your channel!

[@jimmurphy1591]

Rui Saltão thanks Game On

[@AlexGidra]

Great video. Thank you.

[@francescol.bellman9670]

Truly inspiring. I subscribed your channel. I backed TFT as well, hoping to find some good player to try it. As I mostly played D&D (red box and such) and AD&D 2 ed. Forgotten Realms (I know 1ed and Greyhawk was probably the best in terms of purity) I wish you could say something insightful about TFT compared to the Dungeon Fantasy RPG also from SJG.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Francesco L. Bellman thanks and welcome aboard

[@JohnProblem]

Outstanding

[@Jonatron101]

Maudlin? Got no - poignant. Happy to see more videos from your good self GM.

[@seanhillman1016]

MERP and Rolemaster. Good times

[@jayson9484]

Thank you!

[@corey13]

How about a video on why you use miniatures and what they mean to your game. As a new player it’s always been theater of the mind or roll20 - I’ve never had a mini filled experience.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Corey Condardo I’ll see what I can do

[@weemcast]

Thanks Jim, another great video ;)

[@Toti29]

I satarted in roleplaying games with Loremaster :S very thorough system but took a long time to do stuff.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Toti29 true

[@dustiningram90]

It's not the game, it's The Story you tell again and again for years after that is the whole reason to play.

[@jimmurphy1591]

Dustin Ingram you are sure right, and I have a lot of them after over four decade so hang around, I’m sure I’ll tell them all.

[@dustiningram90]

I'm just so pleased to have found a community where people share these stories, and I feel lucky to be part of it.

[@tonimojo5859]

Thank you

[@simongissler]

I've been wondering, what is the significance of that line about the Devils you say at the end of your videos? Is it from something?

[@jimmurphy1591]

Pizza Goblin my Irish Grandmother

[@purplsheep6271]

How do you create drama in your games?

[@jimmurphy1591]

Purpl Sheep that might have to be a video

[@purplsheep6271]

Jim Murphy I think you’ve answered PARTS of that question in little tid bits here and there, but you haven’t actually fully explained how to do it or really wrap it all together. I think a video of it would be great!

[@SirLucien]

When you mentioned Rollmaster, it made me think of Gary Gygax's game after D&D, Dangerous Journeys, a game I want to play so much, but can't find those hardcore gamers who wantf to learn the more complicated system. Any chance you played with those rule, and if so, your thoughts?

[@jimmurphy1591]

SirLucien I met Gary when he was pushing those rules. I had a copy of rules but can’t remember why I did not get into them. I’ll have to look them up and refresh memory

[@SirLucien]

Jim Murphy Yeah, I'm thinking about doing a video on the box set for Gary's birthday, could be a fun series, and I totally want to find a couple players to try it out with me