"Dungeons and Dragons": Starring Tom Baldvins

By Jared Colvin, COM 301
Edited and posted by Leigh Harris, COM 303

It's after midnight, and Tom Baldvins is still cloning dinosaurs to be the main attraction in his theme park.

"He kind of obsesses over it a little bit," said Nathan Schwartz, Baldvins' roommate and freshman environmental science major. "He's very into it and likes to talk about it."

Baldvins, 18, is a freshman biology major at Berry College who may obsess over some games, but his 43 credit hours prove he's no slacker. He aspires to become a vertebrate paleontologist, but in the meantime, he's content to play alternate reality games like "Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis" to experience strange and unusual circumstances. Gaming for more than half his life, Baldvins believes games, especially those involving role play, add a much needed zest to the mundane aspects of everyday life.

"They allow you to explore a totally different world without actually being there," he said, "because they engross you in the story. School gets really stressful, and it's fun to play video games for 30 minutes or an hour. It refreshes me so I can get back to work."

When asked why he consistently chooses to pick up game controllers to experience new worlds rather than reading books or watching videos, Baldvins explained that movies and novels aren't quite the same as alternate reality games; although he's an avid fiction reader, Baldvins prefers how the games place him in the leading role.

"Video games take you in," he said. "Movies and books don't capture the fun of it because you're watching in third person. That movie they based off of 'Dungeons and Dragons' wasn't too good, but a person playing the same adventure would find it totally amazing."

"Dungeons and Dragons" also known as D&D, is a 34-year-old type of board game which requires players to adopt a fictional persona in order to complete imaginary adventures in a fantasy setting. Baldvins and a group of his friends dedicate upwards of seven hours every Friday night to play the game. When asked why he often prefers D&D to modern video games, Baldvins was adamant.

"I can do whatever I want in D&D, but in video games I can't," he explained. "New video games cost $60. D&D is keeping up, bringing out new stuff and it's a lot less expensive to play— you just need three books and your dice."

The leader of Baldvins’ D&D group, Anne Callaway, confessed that she doesn't play the same computer and video games as Baldvins, but she admires his imagination and sense of organization.

"I met him through D&D," she said. "Over the year he really impressed me. Although he doesn't speak out a lot, everything he says is thoughtful and to the point. He's down to earth and organized. In fact, he was nominated to become treasurer of our club and won."

The Alternate Realities Club of Berry College, of which Callaway is president, dedicates itself to entertainment through fantasy and science fiction. Even as the treasurer, Baldvins is still able to make time for his classes, friends, and games.

"I think when someone is able to keep up with their real life, and keep up with what so many people would consider a fantasy life, it really shows a strength of character," said Callaway. "It may seem easy to do since it's fiction, but when you have so many classes and a social life to look after, it can be challenging."

Baldvins may have his hands full as a biology student and club treasurer, but there's no doubt he'll leave plenty of time available to clone more dinosaurs.