Empowering RPG
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
Role-playing games (RPG) are narrative-driven games of the imagination in which players take on the roles of imaginary characters. I want to share my interest in imaginative games because their energy allows young people in Generation X for utopian ideas to materialize by helping us imagine equality and justice. “Empowering RPG” is a new way to join forces to fight climate change and think together about the future of our society and planet.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
RPGs (role playing games) are narrative-based games of the imagination in which players take on the roles of fictional characters. They are based almost entirely on verbal descriptions, sometimes accompanied by music or a tactical board. The entire game takes place in a fictional world, existing only in the imagination of the players, which is created by the Game master (GM ). The GM is the narrator of the world and its inhabitants. He leads the group and teaches the game. The players, on the other hand, are the foreground actors, not knowing the scenario, who react to the situations set before them by the game master. The gameplay is constructed almost exclusively through verbal descriptions, sometimes aided by music or a tactical board.
I got to know the world of role-playing games thanks to my gaming group of friends. I joined that group two years ago. RPGs have expanded my creativity beyond boring rationality. We meet for our sessions a few times a month. I devote a lot of time and attention to creating a playable character, constantly thinking of scenarios for my own sessions. Inspired by the environmental RPG organized in my activist group, I would like to use role-playing games as a form of empowerment and a new language of communication. This project is using RPGs as a way to prevent the burnout and environmental fatigue of young people. Groups will be formed thematically on contemporary world issues - from climate change to feminism, constantly expanding. The maximum number of players is about 10 people. We fight burnout through empowerment - we envision a better world. The game environment can be of the chosen convention (e.g. fantasy, science-fiction, cyberpunk) selected by the group. Project coordinators look after the groups, deal with administration and create new campaigns. From the project budget we pay the coordinators, GMs and purchase rulebooks and other items for the games.
Key objectives for sustainability
The project helps sustainable development by restoring hope to young people. RPG is a new way to join forces to fight climate change and think together about the future of our society and the planet. They have made me realize the importance of play, of inventing scenarios beyond day-to-day activism. Imagination games allow young people of Generation X to go beyond the sometimes boring and depressing reality. I think RPG is a great tool for a new kind of activism, but also for therapy. The energy of RPG helps young people care about the future. It is selfconscious, responsible play. To create a better world, we need to know what it could look like. RPG allows utopian ideas to materialize, helping us imagine equality and justice. The values they develop - creativity and futurism - are much needed in today's world. Role-playing games teach responsibility for third parties-we care about the hero and the campaign. I want to show others the importance of regeneration to fight the inequities/problems of today's world. In fantasy worlds, we redefine the rules of the world, including gender roles- by creating an imaginary world, we can show the importance of values such as sensitivity, respect, and empathy. In RPGs, our utopian visions can see the light of day. For example: in our game world, we have already achieved equality. The game allows us to experience that equality. I'd like to be able to share this opportunity with new people I meet, explore their ideas, and co-create a new reality.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
RPG showed me that, like the Bauhaus teachings, aesthetics is functional. The quality of experiencing the world depends on it. The narrative style of the environment and the characters is an important part of the content. We learn to narrate by reflecting the reactions of the characters. By trying to use the language of the inhabitants of the game world in which we find ourselves, we enrich the language. For example, in a fantasy world, we move away from modern slang. The conventions in which games are held have inspiring unique aesthetics. We can be inspired by the closeness to wildlife in a Fantasy world to ecological innovation. We are forward looking with the advancement of science in a Science-fiction game. We have a universal interface, as the game world exists only in the players' imagination. The lack of material form, develops the aesthetics of imagination.
Key objectives for inclusion
Is the game inclusive? Yes, because it is socially inclusive through play. I would like to be able to show that RPG focused on empowerment can be an excellent development group, allowing us to change reality through collective imaginative play. Working together facilitates getting to know others, which is what happens in games of imagination. Playing as another person - our protagonist - is the impetus for getting to know the people in the group, as our characters are closely related in the scenario. The RPG becomes the first starting point of dialogue for members. We share emotions after sessions. We reminisce about events in the game world. The GM position is an example of an inclusive leader because it gives us the opportunity to learn on an ongoing basis throughout the game - the lack of knowledge of the game's rules or character narrative skills is not an issue. The compatible, unlimited nature of the game, in turn, allows new people to easily join a previously started game. I believe in combining inclusivity with community, and openness built on a sense of security for which the game allows.
Innovative character
Empowering RPG is a series of innovations because RPG has never before been used to empower young people. It is a new trend in development groups. As we deal with the issues of our lives, we need content that empowers us. The innovation is to counteract burnout in young people through play. Fun combined with learning, which is something we've come to appreciate in our times when continuous development is important. RPG is a response to the demand for responsible forms of recreation. The project allows to appreciate the value of individuality and to see the danger of mediocrity. The risky situations of our characters force us to think and react in ways we haven't thought of before. It’s brilliant, because it allows young people to create their own innovations. We can achieve anything we can think of.
