Hmm, never really thought about it. It's just been something I've always done.

Got exposed to fantasy literature in the 70's, with Tolkien and others. Played original D&D and AD&D in the late 70's, started CRPGs in 1980 (Ultima 1 and Wizardry 1), JRPGs on a friend's SNES (Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy 6), been doing it ever since.

I play all sorts of RPG's, Bethesda style RPG's I play for the rich lore, setting and environments which can easily svck you into their atmosphere, JRPG's I play also for story but not as much the lore, beauty and environments but rather the challenge of building your team or character and of the fights that are often a lot more restrictive than in Western RPG's but a lot harder. And 'Pen & Paper' RPG's I play for the freedom and for the actual roleplaying of which you can do little in most all video games.
I like all kinds of games, but one of the reasons I love RPG's is because the world is made for you to explore, you create your own story go your own path. I've always loved fantasy and such so being able to put myself in another world where I'm capable of doing whatever I want is awesome.
Yeah.