By the strictest definition of the word, TTRPGs become a hobby when you play them regularly for pleasure. When you focus on improving your aptitude in some aspect of TTRPG phenomena, that's more like being a student or a practitioner. It's definitely very fortunate when you come across and interact with fellow students or practitioners of TTRPG methodology or philosophy on a regular basis. On the flip-side, it can be frustrating to be in the absence of such fellow aficionados and the group consists mainly of, for instance, people who just want to roll dice or are out-of-touch through playing some self-absorbed fantasy in an ensemble game.
I like your expression "student or a practitioner." Sharing the experience of playing with others who share the same engagement makes for truly great games.
When it becomes a significant fraction of your life I'd say its a hobby, I've been involved with RPGs since my early teens, have always loved it. I have been developing a system for myself for a few years for no other reason than that it's fun to be involved and thinking about dice mechanics, developing systems that reinforce the setting and all that. I don't even play as much as I 'develop" the game itself, yet i'm still opening that word document daily, reviewing and changing things. RPGs are quite special. And Cripsy, your ramblings are welcome, man.
That's an interesting question. RPGs are certainly a hoby of mine. I would say game design and streaming are also hobies. I don't have a regular job but I'm always super busy; fundamentally, I do what I want with my time. Of course, I have chores to take care of. And some are self imposed; why do I build my own furniture instead of just buying it? It's not that I enjoy the process that much, but I have this weird compulsion of doing as much things as possible by myself (I even made myself some shoes at some point). Is crafting a hoby for me if I only do things that kind of need to be done? Maybe learning new skills is the hoby. That would also explain why I'm on a nearly 2000 days streak on duolingo... Maybe it's just the autism...
It definitely has something to do with degrees(and maybe types) of investment. Some ideas... 1) Having little investment is a sign that X game it isn't a hobby. 2) Being very "invested" is required for a game to be a hobby. 3) However, being very "invested" is not the only requirement for a game to be a hobby. I like the comparison you made to practicing your instrument. Spending your time in developing a skill when the process isn't enjoyable sounds like a chore not a hobby. Maybe this hints at having few mental inhibitions. If its a hobby you don't need to force yourself into it. There isn't mental friction. Its a place you want to be. It seems like another facet is related to who is assigning the tasks and the "win conditions." If I play a game the problem and its win condition are defined clearly and given to me. I need to accomplish X and I do so by following Y rules doing Z actions. It almost comes off like a homework assignment. Write an essay about WWII, in MLA format, 12 pages, due in 2 weeks, etc. In contrast, if I'm doing a hobby I find that I assign myself the tasks. The acceptance criteria might be detailed or not. But I determine what the win condition is for myself. Who is steering the ship? If I am I might be doing a hobby. When you play TTRPGs its pretty clear who the hobbyists are at the table. You discuss the game outside of sessions. You think about your stuff in the game world. You know the rules. You work on game stuff when the only driving motivation is inherent enjoyment. External reward structures are minimal and not needed to make the fun happen.
Since I am not a fan of gatekeeper mentality, I would say that you walk there on dangerous thin ice when you say that participation is not enough. For some people it might be, for them the hobby is something they enjoy just because of the company not because of the hobby itself. Sure, the drive to improve oneself is something that has it's place, but it is by far not the only way to be a hobbyist. I mean just look at hobbies that are not based on any kind of abilities, like collectors they enjoy their hobby and spend much time on it, but have no requirement o becoming a better collector at whatever it is they collect. Or you brought up playing an instrument, I am pretty sure there are plenty of people who have that as a hobby, but never practice to become better, they just enjoy playing their instrument.
Thanks for your comment. I have nothing against those who want to participate in the game of RPGs without it becoming a hobby. But I do think that I prefer playing RPGs with other hobbyists.
By the strictest definition of the word, TTRPGs become a hobby when you play them regularly for pleasure. When you focus on improving your aptitude in some aspect of TTRPG phenomena, that's more like being a student or a practitioner. It's definitely very fortunate when you come across and interact with fellow students or practitioners of TTRPG methodology or philosophy on a regular basis. On the flip-side, it can be frustrating to be in the absence of such fellow aficionados and the group consists mainly of, for instance, people who just want to roll dice or are out-of-touch through playing some self-absorbed fantasy in an ensemble game.
I like your expression "student or a practitioner." Sharing the experience of playing with others who share the same engagement makes for truly great games.
Good thoughts, Chris.
Thanks for watching!
0:02 They have old cars in Canada. Lucky!
3:49 Maybe GMs are hobbyists?
We do. But they are all rusted out. Too much salt on the roads in the winter.
GMs for sure.
When it becomes a significant fraction of your life I'd say its a hobby, I've been involved with RPGs since my early teens, have always loved it. I have been developing a system for myself for a few years for no other reason than that it's fun to be involved and thinking about dice mechanics, developing systems that reinforce the setting and all that. I don't even play as much as I 'develop" the game itself, yet i'm still opening that word document daily, reviewing and changing things.
RPGs are quite special. And Cripsy, your ramblings are welcome, man.
Thanks for the comment Nicholas! There is something different about RPGs isn't there?
That's an interesting question.
RPGs are certainly a hoby of mine. I would say game design and streaming are also hobies.
I don't have a regular job but I'm always super busy; fundamentally, I do what I want with my time. Of course, I have chores to take care of. And some are self imposed; why do I build my own furniture instead of just buying it? It's not that I enjoy the process that much, but I have this weird compulsion of doing as much things as possible by myself (I even made myself some shoes at some point). Is crafting a hoby for me if I only do things that kind of need to be done? Maybe learning new skills is the hoby. That would also explain why I'm on a nearly 2000 days streak on duolingo...
Maybe it's just the autism...
Sounds like tackling new challenges is a hobby for you Max!
It definitely has something to do with degrees(and maybe types) of investment. Some ideas...
1) Having little investment is a sign that X game it isn't a hobby.
2) Being very "invested" is required for a game to be a hobby.
3) However, being very "invested" is not the only requirement for a game to be a hobby.
I like the comparison you made to practicing your instrument. Spending your time in developing a skill when the process isn't enjoyable sounds like a chore not a hobby. Maybe this hints at having few mental inhibitions. If its a hobby you don't need to force yourself into it. There isn't mental friction. Its a place you want to be.
It seems like another facet is related to who is assigning the tasks and the "win conditions." If I play a game the problem and its win condition are defined clearly and given to me. I need to accomplish X and I do so by following Y rules doing Z actions. It almost comes off like a homework assignment. Write an essay about WWII, in MLA format, 12 pages, due in 2 weeks, etc. In contrast, if I'm doing a hobby I find that I assign myself the tasks. The acceptance criteria might be detailed or not. But I determine what the win condition is for myself. Who is steering the ship? If I am I might be doing a hobby.
When you play TTRPGs its pretty clear who the hobbyists are at the table. You discuss the game outside of sessions. You think about your stuff in the game world. You know the rules. You work on game stuff when the only driving motivation is inherent enjoyment. External reward structures are minimal and not needed to make the fun happen.
Thanks for your comment! I can relate to your last paragraph for sure.
Since I am not a fan of gatekeeper mentality, I would say that you walk there on dangerous thin ice when you say that participation is not enough. For some people it might be, for them the hobby is something they enjoy just because of the company not because of the hobby itself. Sure, the drive to improve oneself is something that has it's place, but it is by far not the only way to be a hobbyist. I mean just look at hobbies that are not based on any kind of abilities, like collectors they enjoy their hobby and spend much time on it, but have no requirement o becoming a better collector at whatever it is they collect. Or you brought up playing an instrument, I am pretty sure there are plenty of people who have that as a hobby, but never practice to become better, they just enjoy playing their instrument.
Thanks for your comment. I have nothing against those who want to participate in the game of RPGs without it becoming a hobby. But I do think that I prefer playing RPGs with other hobbyists.