[krapp]

Why do you have such an aversion to capes? There's no rule saying you have to play as a character in a cape.

If you're asking if there's a version of D&D that's pure math and no roleplay, the closest thing I can imagine would be Dragon Dice, or something with the mechanics of a very basic roguelike. The math in D&D itself such as in combat is affected by your character's stats and the encounters created by the DM, so the mechanics and the role playing are kind of tied together.

[vkazanov]

The thing is that dragons and magic and Harry Potter all become irrelevant at some point in life. Power fantasies do have an expiration date.

Now, the genre itself, all the storytelling involved, can easily be adapted to more serious, or even abstract, thinking.

In fact, it was, and there are plenty of alternative rpg universes. But, similar to how serious non-marvel movies are a niche, serious rpgs are also less popular.

[atakan_gurkan]

I understand where you are coming from, but I hope you realize this is very subjective. The things you mentioned and other elements of the fantasy genre do not become irrelevant for many people through their life, well into adult life as well. In fact, they may become irrelevant and become relevant again.

Just to make it clear (and perhaps to state the obvious), you are not believing in these when you play these games or read these books, you are voluntarily suspending disbelief.

[krapp]

They're all games. They're all escapist power fantasies. No one wants to role play a character who doesn't matter to the story, regardless of the genre.

[vkazanov]

Well, this depends on a story. Escapist? Yes. All of them, by the very definition of, ehm, role play.

Power? Not necessarily. Numerous rpgs have nothing to do with power. Be a Cat has nothing to do with power, and everything with escapism (and cats).

I mean, there is nothing wrong with power and fantasies. Or powerless fantasies, as in horror stories, or whatever.