Let's look at people's motivations for playing RPGs. To me, RPGs are a form of entertainment, nothing more. I think they encourage creativity, lateral thinking, problem-solving skills and freedom of thought for me (even though I haven't played since I was 15 - 10 years ago). I play CRPGs as a leisure activity. Anything that gives your mind a break from the stresses and challenges of working life today is a positive thing. I certainly don't play it as an ego boost because I feel I can't live in the real world today! To me CRPGs fall in the same category as seeing a movie, watching a play, playing sports - some provide mental pleasure, others physical - but they are all LEISURE activities.
And as Yorick said, it's all about balance. Anything you do too much of is unhealthy for both your body and soul. I had a colleague at work who got the flick because of BG2, he just played ALL the time, didn't get enough sleep, ended up losing his job because he was addicted to it. So moderation is always the key.
And who measures whether or not you do make an impact? (and i sincerely hope you do!) Society, right? It is through the collective opinions of others around you who define if you make an impact. That same society also allows us to define people as good or evil by providing us with a collective opinion of what is good and evil.
I hope all that makes sense, I'm rushing off to a 7 pm meeting (on a FRIDAY!! )
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