I've been on here on a few months and i must say the Escapist is one of the best(if not the best) sites i've been on. I'm not butt-kissing or anything, but i'm just suprised by how good this site is. Next to no advertisements, news, funny videos, it cracks down hard on spammers, most of the user are actually quite mature. Also i'm not constantly asked to be somebodies gf or anything. I like my personal space.
Also badges are awesome and aren't like the freebie trophies or stuff they hand out on other sites, you actually accomplish something for these badges.