ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 14, 1991                   TAG: 9104160451
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DUNGEONS, DRAGONS IS ONLY A GAME

THE STORIES March 18 about Shawn Novak [Virginia Beach teen-ager accused of killing two boys] and his connection with the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons prompt me to write. As a player of Dungeons and Dragons for more than 10 years, I feel the stories were very fine examples of how people today can be closed-minded and judgmental.

Yes, I play D-n-D, and yes, I even like heavy-metal music, but believe it or not, I do not live in a fantasy world and sacrifice virgins on an altar in my basement. Articles such as those will start a furor in the community to "ban this game of Satan from our society."

D-n-D is a game. It is what you make it. If you already have deep-rooted psychological problems, anything you do you will be manic about it, due to your need to just "get out" and escape. Some carry an exciting and imaginative game way too far. Instead of blaming the game, why not look at the family life and environment at home?

I agree that this entire event is a tragedy. But do not judge the players of D-n-D as godless, crazed and murderous. I enjoy the game, as that it is what it is: a game. BILL WHITE DRAPER 


 by CNB