Also, I learned a long time ago that just because they are your friend and a gamer, that doesn't mean you have to game with them.

I have a friend who is like a brother to me, and I don't want to game with him because his characters all end up being brutal murder hoboes and I'd rather run a more heroic game.

True that. Gaming is like being in a band. You can be great friends but have to split up due to creative differences. The adult thing to do would be to agree that the friendship is bigger than any issues from gaming and to agree to not game together to maintain the friendship.