RIP Robin Williams, Roleplay Gamer

I distinctly remember there was a late night talk show where the late, beloved Robin Williams enthused about playing an avatar in Second Life, but until Google (or a helpful reader!) can cough it up, this lovely video will suffice:

Robin Williams was a gamer, and quite prominently, a roleplay gamer, lover of the Zelda series (after which he named his daughter), but also Wizardry and the tabletop Dungeons & Dragons too. All this deep geekery of his is usually characterized as some quirky-silly hobby, but to me, it's clear it was far more than that to him: Rather, the thing in Robin Williams that drew him to roleplay gaming is the same aspect of his nature that made him so beloved. Listen:

In movie after movie, and even within a monologue of several minutes, or even just the space of a few seconds, Williams could embody seemingly any person or character, real or imagined, no matter how implausible or fantastic. Not just taking on their vocal affectations, but being that character in a deeper way, to the point where Williams could also enact (in real time!) that person's thoughts and inner monologue. In that sense, Williams was able to take the attraction so many of us have to roleplaying games, the desire to embody someone better than ourselves (or at least with a very different consciousness), and make that his art. I'm convinced RPGs helped make Robin Williams the great artist that he was. And the world is better, happier, more creative, less cynical, for that synthesis he fostered for over four unforgettable decades of art.

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Comments

[James Barrett]

Very nicely put.

[Ricblas Ferraris]

From Spain we are deeply affected. Rest in peace friend.

[Ajax Manatiso]

He was quoted as saying -- “ ‘Second Life’ – where you can (have sex with) a panda, and it’s OK.”

https://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/doug-elfman/robin-williams-was-always-looking-punchline-comically-tragic-world

[melponeme_k]

I'm sorry he is gone and that he was suffering deeply and felt there was no help for him.

In regards to SL, he didn't like it. But I'm sure he was one of those lurkers who had a secret glamazon avatar with all the latest fashion doodads. Seriously, one reason he probably didn't like SL was because he couldn't type fast enough to match his stream of thought and if he managed it came out wrong causing misunderstandings. Obviously voice would be out since anyone would recognize him.

[Arcadia Codesmith]

He leaves us with a brilliant legacy to remember him by. Sleep well, sweet prince.

[Iggy]

Wow. I can only imagine the voices and noises that came out of the gaming room on Williams' "Nerd Nights" when he played tabletop D&D.

My crew already frightens the neighbors, as it is, each week with our pale efforts in that department.

[Seymore Steamweaver]

The most touching article i've read on this site. Thank you.

[Max March]

I'm so sad he's gone. :(