Virtual Reflections: Exploring Identity Through RPG Characters

When people jump into a new role-playing game, character creation is the place it starts. Maybe it feels like set dressing before the real meat of everything, but it’s more than just getting kitted out; it’s expressing who you are—or maybe who you want to be, for a while.

You make dozens of decisions; everything from the hairstyle of your character to the heroic qualities they have (or don’t have). In her “The Functions of Role Playing Games: How Participants Create Community, Solve Problems, and Explore Identity,” Sarah Lynne Bowman explains that playing role games is enjoyable because it allows the player to try various parts of his personality in a consequence-free setting.

Feeling like everything in your life is going haywire? Looking at the world from the eyes of a character who faces enormous daily challenges might instill the confidence to take on the little ones. Therapists weave RPGs into their sessions and use them to help people tackle issues from social anxiety to PTSD.

The choice of the character can almost be like a pseudo-personality test. So, do you tend to play rogues? It could indicate either a rebellious spirit or maybe that you desire to be more rebellious. Maybe you would rather be a charismatic leader in the game, like a paladin or a knight? This could show that you are outgoing by nature and love hanging out in groups but prefer to take charge in any group situation. On the other side, if you keep falling back on your favorite support roles—like healers or wise wizards—that may mean you are team-oriented and always up to backup others.

Another interesting layer to role-playing game character creation is how it can serve as a sort of safe space for people working through their gender identity. I’ve had friends who have used their RPG characters to experiment and express different facets of their gender in ways they might feel shy doing in real life. This way, they can create characters to take on roles they’ve never tried out in real life offline.

This type of play offers not only a safe haven for self-discovery but also an affirming and supporting community context where players can explore and affirm their identities without having to bear the tensions of real-world consequences.

Playing RPGs with others adds another dynamic. The character you play can shape how your fellow gamers see you, influencing everything from group dynamics to individual interactions. Choosing to be the group’s healer, for example, might peg you as the nurturing one, which can translate into real-life perceptions and skills.

So, while building your character is technically just the first step in the game, it’s also a powerful expression of identity, a therapeutic exercise, and a way to improve real-life skills. As gaming continues to evolve, I’m excited to see what new insights we’ll uncover about the interplay between our real selves and the characters we choose to play.

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