An international network of researchers into all aspects of role-playing games
David Millians, Editor
Paideia School, 1509 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA
millians.david@paideiaschool.org
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Hello All,
This month’s interview was with Professor Ian Turner. Professor Turner is a prominent figure in higher education with a focus on integrating game-based learning into his professional practice. As the interim Deputy Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Derby, he has been making significant contributions to academia for over eight years. Among his various accomplishments, Professor Turner is known for his innovative and creative teaching methods, earning him a National Teaching Fellowship in 2014.Professor Turner’s dedication to education extends beyond the classroom, as he actively engages with the wider community through science fiction conventions, public events, and collaborations with local organizations. He has published two scholarly articles on the topic and organized successful events to discuss its impact. You can watch our dialogue here. Professor Turner’s also a member of the CAR-PGA, so please welcome him. We look forward to collaborating with his org, Dungeons & Dragons in Higher Education, in the future.
We also have another blast from the past contributed by Jason Hudgins. This newsletter is from October 1994 and features conversations about religion in government, an update on the RPG survey, and an appeal by then Committee Chair Paul Cardwell. It’s worth a read to give some insight about the state of the CAR-PGA and how far we’ve come since then, including our membership and finances.
I recently hiked the Appalachian Trail with my son (now a proud Eagle Scout!), and it was a transformative experience to say the least. It certainly gave me a new perspective on what our adventurers do effortlessly – in armor!
And with that, we’re into the summer season. I will be taking off for the next two months, as I’ll be traveling with my family on vacation and camping, and we’ll even squeeze in an appearance at our home convention, Connecticon. My wife and I will be speaking on two panels on Saturday, July 20: Run a RPG Campaign Online (12:45 to 1:45 p.m. ET) and Launch Your Own Podcast (6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). If you’re in the area, stop by and say hello!
We’ll pick up in September, but I’ll be sure to check in during our monthly newsletter. The good news is we’ve got so many virtual discussions coming up that we’re booked solid to the end of the year.
I hope you get a chance to spend some time with family and friends and get some gaming in too!
Sincerely,
Mike Tresca
Committee Chair
NEW MATERIAL
This is a compilation of articles and other resources that have come to the editor’s attention over the last month. Everyone is welcome to send bibliographic information about anything you discover that fits the mission of CAR-PGa and this newsletter.
Baker, Neal (2024 Jun 23) 50 Years of Gen Con Events: A Dataset Analysis. https://analoggamestudies.org/2024/06/50-years-of-gen-con-events-a-dataset-analysis. Shifting and expanding activities and themes over more than fifty years.
Baker, Vincent (2024 Jun 18) In Brief, the Problem of RPG Design. https://lumpley.games/2024/06/18/in-brief-the-problem-of-rpg-design. Designing games for rising energy.
Bassil, Matt (2024 Jun 12) The first DnD rules allowed 50 players in a single party. https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/original-rules-50-players. Large gaming groups.
Bertenstein, Lennart (2024) Live Action Role-playing (Larp) in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy: A Case Study. International Journal of Role-Playing, Issue 15, pp 92-126. Longitudinal study.
Campbell, Stephanie (2024 Jun 3) Kid-friendly tabletop RPGs about dungeons. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/06/03/kid-friendly-tabletop-rpgs-about-dungeons. Ongoing database with reviews and tips.
Campbell, Stephanie (2024 Jun 13) Review of Burn 2d6. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/06/13/review-of-burn-2d6. Colorful, accessible game for players 8+ years old.
Campbell, Stephanie (2024 Jun 17) How TTRPGs engage learners. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/06/17/how-ttrpgs-engage-learners. Engagement, enjoyment, and excitement to promote exploration and learning.
Campbell, Stephanie (2024 Jun 24) TTRPGkids recap from Origins 2024. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/06/24/ttrpgkids-recap-from-origins-2024. Applied TTRPG talkies, kids room, and much more.
Campbell, Stephanie (2024 Jun 27) Review of The Bodhana Group’s Branch Riders. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/06/27/review-of-the-bodhana-groups-branch-riders. Multidimensional setting creates great options, and clear condition cards make play clear.
Carter, Chasse (2024 Jun 5) Tabletop Journalism Deserves Better Than This, And So Do You. https://www.rascal.news/tabletop-journalism-deserves-better-than-this-and-so-do-you. Difficult times for investigative work in all fields, including gaming.
Carter, Chasse (2024 Jun 14) Teamwork And Therapy Built Kids In Capes. https://www.rascal.news/teamwork-and-therapy-built-kids-in-capes. Psycho-emotional informed game design.
Chinn, Christopher (2024 Jun 19) Informed vs. Uninformed Tools. https://bankuei.wordpress.com/2024/06/19/informed-vs-uninformed-tools. Clarity for GMs.
Codega, Lin (2024 Jun 4) The Battle For RPG Discovery Will Happen At Friendly Local Games Stores. https://www.rascal.news/the-battle-for-rpg-discovery-will-happen-at-friendly-local-games-stores. Visit to Millennium Games in Rochester, New York.
Codega, Lin (2024, Chase Carter & Rowan Zeoli (2024 Jun 11) Artificial Product, Artificial Hype: The Saga Of Wonders Of The First’s AI Art And NFT-Powered CCG. https://www.rascal.news/wonders-of-the-first-blokpax-jeff-french-ccg-nft-crypto-kickstarter. Troubled and troubling CCG crowdfunding.
Cullman, Maryanne (2024) Surveying the Perspectives of Middle and High School Educators Who Use Role-playing Games as Pedagogy. International Journal of Role-Playing, Issue 15, pp 127-141. Results from Cambodia, Canada, and USA.
Didymus-True, Mike (2024 Jun 12) Dicebreaker’s future remains unclear as silenced site makes editor-in-chief, senior staff writer redundant after IGN takeover. https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/06/12/dicebreakers-future-remains-unclear-as-silenced-site-makes-editor-in-chief-senior-staff-writer-redundant-after-ign-takeover. Layoffs and more changes.
Dumit, Joseph & Sabina Belc (2024 Jun 23) From Consumers to Creators: Bridging Game Play and Playful Game Design for Impactful Civic Education. https://analoggamestudies.org/2024/06/from-consumers-to-creators-bridging-game-play-and-playful-game-design-for-impactful-civic-education. Issues, points of view, and game design as learning itself.
Evan, Peter D. (2024 Jun 23) An Elegant Little Instrument: The Japanese Standards Association and the Birth of the Modern D20. https://analoggamestudies.org/2024/06/an-elegant-little-instrument-the-japanese-standards-association-and-the-birth-of-the-modern-d20. Historical context for the development of the most iconic random number generator in RPGs.
Gen Con (2024 Jun 13) Celebrating Dungeons & Dragons 50th Anniversary (Part 1). https://gencon.blog/2024/06/13/celebrating-dungeons-dragons-50th-anniversary-part-1. Brief comments about D&D from personalities of Gen Con TV.
Girdwood, Andrew (2024 Jun 8) The Role Play Haven launches Young Dragons. https://www.geeknative.com/166701/the-role-play-haven-launches-young-dragons. Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council in London creates afternoon gaming clubs.
Grayson, Nathan (2024 May 21) Long-time Staffers At RPS, GamesIndustry.biz, VG247 Surprised By Layoffs As IGN Buys Network. https://aftermath.site/ign-gamer-network-eurogamer-gamesindustrybiz-layoffs. An article from last month on the ongoing diminution of game journalism.
Hartyándi, Mátyás & Gijs van Bilsen (2024) Playing with Leadership: A Multiple Case Study of Leadership Development Larps. International Journal of Role-Playing, Issue 15, pp 142-177. Design insights.
Hugaas, Kjell Hedgard (2024) Bleed and Identity: A Conceptual Model of Bleed and How Bleed-out from Role-playing Games Can Affect a Player’s Sense of Self. International Journal of Role-Playing, Issue 15, pp 9-35. Perception, interactions, and effects.
Lehto, Karttu (2024) Nordic Larp as a Method in Mental Health Care and Substance Abuse Work: Case SÄRÖT. International Journal of Role-Playing, Issue 15, pp 74-91. Student-player actions and outcomes for educational success.
Losilla, Sergio (2024 Jun 11) Rules, Trust, and Care: the Nordic Larper’s Risk Management Toolkit. https://nordiclarp.org/2024/06/11/rules-trust-and-care-the-nordic-larpers-risk-management-toolkit. Risks for players in games and methods to monitor and ameliorate them.
Han-Tani, Melos (2024 Jun 1) Living in the Relational Playworld. https://melodicambient.substack.com/p/living-in-the-relational-playworld. Discussion of video game design to increase player interactions and connections with one another.
Hansford, Amelia (2024 Jun 17) Trailblazing trans politician Zooey Zephyr uses Dungeons & Dragons to explore gender and politics. https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/06/17/zooey-zephyr-dungeons-dragons-politics. State representative in Montana and gamer.
Morrissey, Russ (2024 Jun 18) Is Evil Genius Games Doubling Down On NFTs & Blockchain. https://www.enworld.org/threads/is-evil-genius-games-doubling-down-on-nfts-blockchain.704819. New plan with similar controversial elements.
Mott, Darryl (2024 Jun 7) SFWA Posthumously Presents Jennell Jaquays with the 2024 Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award. https://www.enworld.org/threads/sfwa-posthumously-presents-jennell-jaquays-with-the-2024-kate-wilhelm-solstice-award.704638. “A beacon of hope and inspiration”.
Mott, Darryl (2024 Jun 7) 2024 Diana Jones Award Finalists Announced. https://www.enworld.org/threads/2024-diana-jones-award-finalists-announced.704637. Winner announced at the end of the month.
Perry, David (2024 July/August) How Dungeons & Dragons SParked a Revolution in How We Play Just About Everything. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/how-dungeons-dragons-sparked-revolution-how-we-play-everything-180984498. Nerdom and gamification.
Ramirez, Isabel (2024 Jun 15) Inside the only Dungeons and Dragons-themed-pub in south London. https://southwarknews.co.uk/area/elephant-and-castle/inside-the-only-dungeons-and-dragons-themed-pub-in-south-london. Hundreds of gamers each week play in six-themed rooms at a refurbished pub.
Riel, Jeremy & Rob Monahan (2024) Learning from Ludemes: An Inventory of Common Player Actions within Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) to Inform Principled Design of Game-Based Learning Experiences. International Journal of Role-Playing, Issue 15, pp 178-210. Design insights.
Rimmels, Beth (2024 Jun 19) Hidden Treasure from The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons. https://www.enworld.org/threads/hidden-treasure-from-the-making-of-original-dungeons-dragons.704839. Primary documents from the dawn of D&D.
Sottile, Emry (2024) “It Might Have a Little to Do with Wish Fulfillment”: The Life-Giving Force of Queer Performance in TTRPG Spaces. International Journal of Role-Playing, Issue 15, pp 61-73. Expressions and explorations of self.
Summers, Cameron (2021 Mar 6) The Political Economy of Game Design. https://www.brokenhandsmedia.com/blog/2021/3/5/the-political-economy-of-game-design. Game systems as economic models.
Technical RPG (2024 Jun 18) How Popular is Dungeons and Dragons in your Country Compared to Others? 2024 Update. https://technicalrpg.com/how-popular-is-dungeons-and-dragons-in-your-country-compared-to-others-2024-update. Data gathered from Google search terms.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Jun 17) Twenty-Sided Tavern Review. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-twenty-sided-tavern-review.704583. Whose Line is It Anyway meets Dungeons & Dragons under the influence of audience and alcohol.
Walsh, Orla & Connor Linehan (2024) Roll for Insight: Understanding How the Experience of Playing Dungeons & Dragons Impacts the Mental Health of an Average Player. International Journal of Role-Playing, Issue 15, pp 36-60. Analysis of the psychology of gaming.
Westborg, Josefin (2024 Jun 20) Six Levels of Larp Participation. https://nordiclarp.org/2024/06/20/six-levels-of-larp-participation. Applicable to RPGs as well.
Wolfe, Abbie (2024 Jun ) For Design. https://nordiclarp.org/2024/06/18/for-design. Debating game creation as art or craft.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 May 31) Can Anyone Make A Living In Tabletop And Actual Play?. https://www.rascal.news/labor-and-ownership-ttrpg-actual-play-emily-friedman-study. Academic data gathering to study hobby engagement and capitalism currently underway.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 Jun 13) Tabletop Workers United Negotiations Stalled By Lawyer’s Belligerence And Subsequent Vacation. https://www.rascal.news/tabletop-workers-united-negotiations-stalled-by-lawyers-belligerence-and-subsequent-vacation-2. Badly-behaved lawyer.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 Jun 26) CRIT Awards Pulls Ceremony From Gen Con Citing “Safety Concerns”. https://www.rascal.news/crit-awards-gen-con-cancelled. Unclear cause but may involve opinions on the ongoing Gaza War and surrounding issues.
© Copyright 2024 by the Committee for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games (CAR-PGa), ISSN 1071 7129. The CAR-PGa Newsletter is a monthly publication. For more information contact David Millians, Editor, Paideia School, 1509 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA, phone (404) 808-1070, fax (404) 377-3491, email millians.david@paideiaschool.org. Back issues are available. Contributions of material from the membership are urged, and the byline is responsible for content. Deadline is the last weekday of the month, email preferred. Permission is granted to copy anything in the Newsletter, provided we get a credit line in the publication copying it, and it doesn’t have someone else’s copyright on it. Information, including details on joining CAR-PGa, can be obtained on the Internet at car-pga.org.