I do what the games mechanics will allow me to do. If the games mechanics allow me to give myself the best, most favorable stats, I will take them. If the game gives me leather armor +1, Im not going to continue wearing regular leather armor for "roleplaying" or some other vague abstract.
Video games are different than tabletop games in that the rules and mechanics are hardwired into the game, and they are what they are, they arent flexible, or subject to judgement calls. They just are. The game determines what I can or cannot do, I have no say in the matter. My job as the player is to find the best way to make those mechanics work to my advantage while minimizing my opponents ability to take those advantages.
To me, understanding, and even manipulating a games mechanics to give myself the most overwhelming advantages are what is "fun" for me.
Some might call this min-max'ing, I just see it as playing the game.
I should add that long ago my mindset on playing video games was shaped by David Sirlin's book "Playing to Win". Its a rather extreme take on gaming, and its not a mindset Ive ever been able to shake, some would say to my own detriment, and I understand where they're coming from.
But I am, who I am, just as others who might find more gratification in roleplaying, or not shooting for the best of the best, are who they are. Neither are wrong in a game like this. We are just all products of our own mindset.
http://www.sirlin.net/ptw
