The TTRPG Player Experience

I have very fond memories of a pandemic DND game where the players were making their way through a large puzzle sort of encounter. The confusion, the despair, the panic - so good. And the rising mood when they started to figure it out! And the triumph when they escaped! It was fantastic. One of the players said afterwards "I've never been so stressed before" and I was like "that is the greatest compliment you could give me"

I miss that group. Alas, when the pandemic wound down they all returned to real life interests. We'll never know what the gnome depot was up to in their corporate office, now.

C'est la vie

Edit: if you're lucky

What the hell game are you playing in where it’s chronic existential dread? Unless the group really blows it’s typically been chill and fun, with occasional drama

For me it's playing Warhammer Fantasy. Where you roll a peasant and die of cholera.

Oof. Summed up my relationship with D&D in a 4-page comic. I love the game, but at the same time, it's just too stressful to play anymore.