The Magic of Play

PwYF Co-Chair Matt Robertson reflects on the importance of play in our lives.

Play can be transformative. Play helps people set aside the cares and woes of the world and engage in a world of adventure, joy, and discovery. It’s truly amazing to see the hobby of tabletop gaming come out of the shadows and get prime-time attention. The old attitude that “games are only for children” has been replaced by a keen desire to play together in camaraderie at any age.

Play takes many forms, and games come in many varieties. There are the games we played in our youth, such as Monopoly, Payday, Clue, and Careers. There are traditional games that have been played for decades (or even centuries), such as Cribbage, Poker, Crokinole, Chess, Backgammon, and Go. Thousands of games are released every year, featuring new and exciting ways to play. There are no bad games, only bad attitudes about games. Games like Monopoly are panned by some as antiquated and poorly designed, but in truth, time spent in play is time well spent, regardless of the game.

“It’s the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives. ” – Fred Rogers

The hobby of tabletop gaming has given me much more than countless hours of play – it has given me a community. This is the magic of play: people connect when they play together. There is a quotation, often attributed to Plato, which highlights the ability for people to connect through play: “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”

I believe that play lets people recall simpler times in their life. Play helps recapture youthful innocence and reckless abandon in an activity where social barriers crumble and connection begins. Connection is a precursor to community, and community is where the magic happens.

Taking a step back to look at the local community that has formed around this hobby is very heartwarming. There are now so many people in a large extended friend group, and it is constantly growing. Most of my nearest and dearest friends have come into my life through tabletop gaming – friends who not only play games with me and Kathy but also connect with us and with one another through shared activities, such as disc golf, canoeing, camping, travel, and dining. This is truly a blessing, and the real magic of play.

“Play matters because people matter. It reminds us of our interdependence and gives us a chance to really see other people. And in turn, to be really and truly seen.” – Jill Vialet

I hope to see you soon at the gaming table!