First Send of RPG Questionnaire to a Senator and a Representative

Here is a copy similar to what I sent. It is not exactly the same because their web forms placed some restrictions on what I could post, but this is the template I am using to send to all government representatives. I am holding off sending to any more for a bit to see how it goes with these first two.

Dear __________________________,

Thank you for your service to the people of the Unites States of America and the state of Washington. I am currently a college student engaged in research psychology courses at Eastern Washington University, and I was hoping you would be kind enough to take just a few minutes from your busy schedule to complete this questionnaire of just 10 questions.

This questionnaire is focused on your views regarding role-playing games and gamers. These activities come in many forms, and can include the classic tabletop form, but also includes “live action” and computer-based role-playing games. The end of this questionnaire includes brief explanations about each of these forms of the recreational activity known as “role-playing gaming” or “RPG”.

Simply place an “X” in front of the answers that best match your views.

1. Have you ever personally participated in any kind of organized role-playing related activity?

(select all that apply):

Collectible/trading card games (CCG/TCG).

Computer-based offline role-playing games (CRPG).

Business or educational programs and/or retreats utilizing role playing scenarios.

Live-action role-playing games (LARP).

Online multi-layer role-playing games (MMORPG or similar).

Psychiatric/psychological role-playing (drama therapy and others)

Reenactment organization (SCA, Renaissance Faire, Civil War, WWI, WWII, etc.).

Tabletop role-playing games (RPG).

Wargaming (tabletop).

Other (please specify):

2. Prior to this questionnaire, had you ever heard of a role playing game (RPG) before? (select the single best answer):

No. I had not previously heard anything about role playing games of any kind.

Not really. I had heard of them before, but did not know anything about role playing games.

A little bit. Yes, I believe I have heard about, or know a little bit about, role playing games.

Yes , I have heard of, or know a fair amount about role playing games.

Other (please comment):

3. What is your general opinion regarding tabletop Role Playing Games, such as Dungeons & Dragons? (select the single best answer):

Do not know

Neutral

Very positive

Slightly positive

Slightly negative

Very negative

Other (please comment):

4. What is your general opinion regarding live action role-playing (LARP)?

(select the single best answer):

Do not know

Neutral

Very positive

Slightly positive

Slightly negative

Very negative

Other (please comment):

5. What is your general attitude/feeling/opinion about computer-based role playing games, such as Dungeons & Dragons?

(select the single best answer):

Do not know

Neutral

Very positive

Slightly positive

Slightly negative

Very negative

Other (please comment):

6. What is your general opinion regarding tabletop role-playing gamers (the people that participate in tabletop role-playing games)?

(select the single best answer):

Do not know

Neutral

Very positive

Slightly positive

Slightly negative

Very negative

Other (please comment):

7. What is your general opinion regarding live-action role-playing gamers (the people that participate in live-action role-playing games)?

(select the single best answer):

Do not know

Neutral

Very positive

Slightly positive

Slightly negative

Very negative

Other (please comment):

8. What is your general opinion regarding computer-based role-playing gamers (the people that participate in computer-based role-playing games)?

(select the single best answer):

Do not know

Neutral

Very positive

Slightly positive

Slightly negative

Very negative

Other (please comment):

9. In what format(s) do you prefer questionnaires such as this?

(Select all that apply):

As provided (plain text email).

As attached form to complete (pdf or similar).

As link to online form to complete via web browser.

Other (please comment):

10. Any additional comments you would like to make regarding this topic or the questionnaire itself?

Brief definitions of role-playing game variants:

Role-playing games are available for every genre imaginable, from the most well-known fantasy settings like the Lord of the Rings or Dungeons & Dragons, to science fiction like Star Wars or Star Trek, to mysteries, horror, and thousands of other genres. If a book, movie, show, or other media has presented a setting, then there is like a corresponding role-playing game setting.

A tabletop role-playing game (RPG) is usually a cooperative, social, shared-narrative, recreational activity that takes place with other participants usually seated around a table using verbal dialog, dice, and paper for tracking and resolving story dynamics. The most well known tabletop role-playing game is the fantasy-based Dungeons & Dragons ™, though there are thousands of other games in the RPG industry and for every genre imaginable. There are estimated to be anywhere from 10 to 30 million active tabletop role-playing gamers in the United States, and millions more globally.

Live-action role-playing games usually take place at a park, field, gym, private property or other fitting locations. The participants typically dress in costumes appropriate to the setting of the game, and resolve presented challenges and conflicts through dialog, simulated combat, or other means (rock-paper-scissors for example). There are estimated to be millions of participants in this grown form of role-playing gaming.

Computer-based role-playing games come in a variety of forms, the two most common being offline solo adventures where the participant plays against the computer, or the online form with interaction from both computer-based and other real people playing their characters. Some of the most well known online role-playing games include Warcraft, Everquest, Dungeons & Dragons Online, Star Trek Online, and many others. There are many millions of computer-based role-playing gamers world-wide in this multi-billion dollar role-playing game industry.