Characters almost always gain power in some form or another, even if it's only the power of knowledge. Can't deny that. Even in Adventure Games that remains true.
But I always think the motivation of the character in the story and the motivation of the player who is playing the character are almost always different.
OK, in an Adventure Game the unravelling of the mystery may motivate both, but for the character it is a matter of importance and may involve some real life or death circumstances. For the player, it's pure curiosity, possibly including the enjoyment of being challenged. We play on because we want to know what happens next.
With novels, well, if you wander around with a book in hand enough you get a pretty strong grip, but I don't think too many people read books for that!
The characters get power, the reader just gets the enjoyment of a good story, well written (Well, hopefully!).
Similarly, in an RPG the character frequently seeks the power to overthrow enemies that threaten either him/herself or his/his people. The power s/he seeks is very material in nature. IF the player seeks any kind of power at all, it lies in the form of prestige, in the admiration of peers, not in any kind of physical advancement.
And let's face it, most of us don't even play for that. Role Players by nature tend to be co-operative as the games are co-operative and mostly require a team of characters. A 'good' computer RPG is one that comes as close as possible to replicating the tabletop experience - with a team of well developed and complimentary characters who co-operate in order to reach their mutual goal.
Even with the single character games, it's more about exploring the world and being a part of the story. Is that 'power'? Of a sort, I suppose. The power to influence and affect the story, even within limited parameters is 'power'. But then, so is the 'power' to make any kind of decision in our everyday lives
I doubt most people truly want any 'power' beyond that of controlling their own lives, if I'm honest. The power to NOT be oppressed, if you will. Anything beyond that is just a headache. I'd say 'maybe that's just me', but I kinda think it's you, too, Alrik
