I role play because it's a way of escaping the stress of everyday life. I'm able to be whoever and wherever I want to be; I can control my own destiny. And being a fan of video games and TV shows, I can transport myself to their world and make new friends. It's also a way to improve my writing and people skills, something I'm lacking. Overall, there are no downsides to it: I can receive feedback for my work, make life altering decisions without any real consequences, and just have fun. :)