Vita Brevis Breviter In Brevi Finietu

Vita Brevis Breviter In Brevi Finietu

Friday 10 September 2010

The Dungeon Masters

The Dungeon Masters in a documentary about people who play the role play based game ‘Dungeons & Dragons’. Personally, even having watched the documentary, I still don’t really understand how people play the game. To me, it appears that it involves people grouping together to talk out, or sometimes act out, a fantasy type story purely for amusement purposes. Although not something that appeals to me in the slightest, I'm all for whatever floats your boat! The documentary focuses on 3 people, but offers plenty of other insights into aspects of the games’ culture. I admire that these people have the courage to act out such games whilst all remaining in character without making a big joke out of it. I respect their passion and dedication to fully embracing this different aspect into their lives and I can see the creativity enhancing benefits such a thing may offer to individuals. However, I feel that it is too much escapism from the real world for my liking. I think the documentary offers an interesting insight into these gamers lives without making fun of them; it portrays them as average, every day people. It also explores their personal reasons for gaming in a sensitive manner, in particular the female gamer who paints herself in full body paint as a black elf type character. She tells of an abusive husband and a tragic miscarriage; it’s clear to see that this sort of game play offers her an escape from the horrible things from her past. I enjoyed this documentary as it opened my eyes to an alternative culture which is actual of great importance in regards to personal entertainment, social and confidence development of people who struggle to develop in the 'normal' world.