Sometimes people just need to get away.

Whether they are escaping from a clingy roommate, demanding classes, or reality, most people have their own fantasy world and know how to get there.

Role playing is how only a few students get away, but it is most likely the one that will take them furthest from reality.

“For me it’s a light-hearted creative, social activity,” said Mario Podeschi, an English graduate student. “It appeals to me in the same way theater or literature appeals to me, but it has the same feel as a poker night or beer-and-pretzel night feel.”

The Gamers Guild is a group of role players that meet to discuss and play different role-playing games.

Because of weak leadership, the guild disappeared for a time, but with a new dedicated president and an ex-president acting as secretary, the players are making it work.

“We kind of pittered out at the end of last year because of weak leadership,” said Podeschi. “Gamers get a reputation of being lazy; laziness and running an RSO don’t go hand in hand.”

Podeschi has been part of the gamer world since fourth grade.

“My sister’s boyfriend, who after getting me into it, sold a pile of books to my mother for Christmas and I have been playing ever since,” he said.

Phil Pruitt, senior biology major is the new secretary of the guild and former president.

“Last year, we didn’t have much organization. The meetings didn’t last long; eventually, they didn’t end up being meetings,” Pruitt said.

The Gamers Guild, formerly known as Role Players Guild, changed its name when it expanded from role playing to a larger variety of games.

It has expanded to strategy games, mind games and card games.

The guild has between 20-30 members.

“Not all are hanging out or at every meeting but have been a part of the community or networking,” Podeschi said.

The guild has been an RSO for about eight years since being introduced as the Council of War.

“We’re trying to get the word out there that we exist,” Pruitt said. “Word of mouth, sending out fliers to buildings on campus, and eventually we’ll put small fliers in campus mailboxes.”

Pruitt, who found out about the Role Players Guild through word of mouth, originally went to play Magic, The Gathering card game, before hearing about the Gamers Guild.

“It’s how I know a lot of people on campus,” he said.

The guild meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Scherer Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.