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Coding and Roleplaying - Is There a Connection?

Posted by Cliff on from the dice-and-keyboards dept.

TossCobble asks: "With table-top roleplaying giant Wizards of the Coast (makers of Dungeons & Dragons, for those not in the know) broadcasting an open call for adventure designers and developers (including an entertaining developer test to gauge your own game-design talent and knowledge), I found myself once again considering the odd appeal of gaming for us programming types. It's interesting that something so free-form-ishly creative, socially dynamic, and utterly fantastical be fun for folks so grounded in logical programming. Of course, my theory is that gaming and programming actually have more in common than we might think. Tabletop roleplaying involves coming up with creative solutions to problems set in a clearly-defined ruleset, involve constant data-tracking and minor mathematical equations, and involve working together with small groups of people toward like-minded goals. Conversely, love of roleplaying can illustrate how important creativity is to good programming. What do you think?"

4 of 417 comments (clear)

  1. Re:There's a connection by heinousjay · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    You shouldn't be anonymous, and you should be modded up. Just because it's painful doesn't make it a flame.

    --
    Slashdot - where whining about luck is the new way to make the world you want.
  2. That's the test I give someone... by cttforsale · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    before I steal their lunch money...

  3. RPGs are for wimps by Animats · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    As a longtime programmer, I've had no interest in tabletop role-playing games.

    At one point in my life, I belonged to the Society for Creative Anachronism. I was serious enough about it to own and ride a 2000 pound black Percheron warhorse. Gorgeous animal. Now that's the way to do role-playing games. Tabletop RPGs are for wimps.

  4. I think TossCobble is full of it. by macraig · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    And full of himself. He's looking for justifications for his sinful little pleasure, sinful not because it actually is but because HE believes it is. He's embarrassed by his enjoyment of role-playing and needs to rationalize an explanation that will help him get past his shame.

    As for me, I was always judged to be an above average and definitely outside-the-box coder, but I *HATE* role-playing games; in fact, I've been in the habit of disabling or sidestepping the socio-political elements of every computer game I've ever played.

    If there's any connection between coding and role-playing, it's an inverse one: socially inept types engaging in a "safe" form of social interaction that doesn't carry the usual consequences. It's a form of social training; that's why they still call it "role playing", duh!

    Me, I don't want to learn those rules: I find most "social" behavior offensive, demeaning, and above all manipulative.