Nothing wrong with them per se, but there are definitely a couple of things to be careful about.
The first was hinted at by a previous poster: these types of games are designed to be “immersive” and time-consuming. Real success in the game can only be achieved by playing regularly and investing lots of time (by design), and most people like success, so they end up sinking hundreds of hours into playing. I firmly believe they can be psychologically addictive as well.
Another problem, which is much more subtle, is that fantasy role-playing can open people up to a dark side of the spiritual realm. While pretending to weild magic and conjure powerful spirits and demons can be benign, fascination with the idea can lead to a desire for a similar power in real life, and pushes some to seek that power by dabbling in the occult. Greater awareness of spiritual power can make one more open to spiritual suggestion and warfare from the Enemy, especially when one’s time is being diverted from holy things by intensely playing a game.
Finally, role-playing is all about imagination; pretending to be someone else–the hero, who can do amazing things. Unfortunatly, some turn their superheroes into super villians, and play characters of evil intent and action in their games. While things like this can be benign in a well-grounded person, repeated fantasizing of evil performed on others, even in a game, can perpetuate an attitude accepting of violence and bereft of God and love. Children especially must be watched that they do not repeatedly act out evil aggression in fantasy. Playing the hero is fine, and can even be good; playing an evil, demon-conjuring murderer is not.
I’ve seen all sides in people, so this is not just fear-biased ranting, but real things to watch out for. But games are games, and can be played with good intent and bad. Just be careful of the pitfalls.
Peace,
javelin
Togetherness!
