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 we interviewed Cory Toon, Founder of Dice Alliance, for our virtual session. Dice Alliance is a non-profit organization built by a community of tabletop gamers. The organization began with the goal of promoting social interaction and has since evolved into a platform for enhancing math and science skills, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. They conduct monthly “Game Days” at the Play Portal in downtown Paducah. The kids spend time playing different games in the morning, eating lunch, and then playing D&D in the afternoon. Dice Alliance emphasizes the social benefits of the game, with adults guiding kids through collaborative storytelling as a team. You can watch our discussion on our YouTube channel.
CAR-PGA member Andy Heavilin shared a blast from the past: an ad for the CAR-PGA! It’s in The Scroll, July/August 1992, Issue #9. The ad reads:
Do you care enough about RPG to do a little work? We need people for early warning system, field investigation, recruiting, and academic research. We are the Committee for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games (CAR-PGa). We research the advantages of RPG and refute the attacks on it. We provide a “warm-line” (SASE) for anyone needing help in these matters. We have no dues other than work for the cause. Our monthly Newsletter is $7.50 per year, sharing is encouraged. For more information, send a $09.52 stamp or two IRCs to CAR-PGa…
The ad’s wording speaks volumes about the CAR-PGA’s direction at the time, which was chiefly concerned about defending the hobby (as denoted by “early warning system”). Nowadays we’ve shifted focus to amplifying and diversifying voices that bring gaming to everyone. It’s a great reminder of what a tough time it was in 1992 for gaming, how far we’ve come, and how much there is to do yet.
It’s spooky season here in the U.S., a perfect intersection of cosplaying, role-playing, and horror – all very complimentary to tabletop role-playing. My family considers Halloween a high holiday so we’re active every weekend. Take your pick: we attended a theatrical showing of Sweeney Todd, visited Sleepy Hollow and met the Headless Horseman, and even got a chance to attend New York Comic Con (I will add my con report in next month’s letter). By far my favorite part of the con was the final panel and last season for What We Do in the Shadows with the cast – yes, I have a very rare shirt from that show – and my wife and I will be dressing up as Nadja and Laszlo this Halloween.
However you celebrate, I hope you manage to have some spooky fun, be it in costume or around the table. Happy Halloween!
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.
Bastarrachea-Magnani, Miguel (2024 Oct 13) Perspectives on RPG Studies from Latin-American Scholars. https://analoggamestudies.org/2024/10/perspectives-on-role-playing-game-studies-from-latin-american-scholars. Overview of the last decade of scholarship.
Brant, Rob (2024 Oct 11) How this educator integrates Dungeons & Dragons into the curriculum. https://www.eschoolnews.com/innovative-teaching/2024/10/07/educator-students-dungeons-dragons-curriculum. Academics, social skills, and community building in the classroom.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Oct 7) TTRPGkids on Ludology Podcast, Episode 16: Using TTRPGs to foster a love of learning. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/10/07/ttrpgkids-on-ludology-podcast-episode-16-using-ttrpgs-to-foster-a-love-of-learning. Pedagogies for confidently attempting novel challenges.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Oct 14) Review of Adventure Skeletons, a spooky skelly TTRPG. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/10/14/review-of-adventure-skeletons-a-spooky-skelly-ttrpg. Skeletal shenanigans.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Oct 28) Interview with René-Pier Deshaies on “rules bright” TTRPGs. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/10/28/interview-with-rene-pier-deshaies-on-rules-bright-ttrpgs. Designing for fun and engagement.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Oct 31) Review of Tricks, Treats & Spooky Streets, a Halloween TTRPG. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/10/31/review-of-tricks-treats-spooky-streets-a-halloween-ttrpg. Adventures and insights on Halloween night.
Carpenter, Shannon (2024 Oct 13) Parents can learn a lot from the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. https://www.aol.com/much-learn-parent-playing-dungeons-150038520.html. Interview with Shelly Mazzanoble about her new book on Dungeon Master Parenting.
Carter, Chase (2024 Oct 4) A Water That Steals All. https://www.rascal.news/a-water-that-steals-all. Review of Helene of the Blue Ridge RPG, written in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Escobar, Francisco Fernando Gallego & Juan David Henao Santa (2024 Oct 13) Exploring Cultural Narratives Through RPG Design. https://analoggamestudies.org/2024/10/exploring-cultural-narratives-through-rpg-design-the-4th-bootcamp-pascualchallenge-on-social-fictions-and-rpgs. Designing RPGs as part of the Institución Universitaria Pascual Bravo Bootcamp #PascualChallenge initiative.
Farley, Robert (2024 Oct 16) Dungeons and Dragons: The Game National Security Experts Need to Play?. https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/dungeons-and-dragons-the-game-national-security-experts-need-to-play. The value of narrative imagination in a complex world.
Girdwood, Andrew (2024 Oct 25) Deal for good: Chuck Rice Broke(ish) Heart. https://www.geeknative.com/169308/deal-for-good-chuck-rice-brokeish-heart. Bundle deal to help address the lack of health care support in the USA and the gaming industry.
Hoffer, Christian (2024 Oct 1) Woke Tacos Salted With the Tears of Would-Be Culture Warriors. https://www.rascal.news/woke-tacos-salted-with-the-tears-of-would-be-culture-warriors. Complaints about foodstuffs included in new D&D art point to deeper issues.
Hoffer, Christian (2024 Oct 3) Dungeon Crawler is Now Part of the English Dictionary. https://www.enworld.org/threads/dungeon-crawler-is-now-part-of-the-english-dictionary.707083. Joins 200 other new additions.
Hoffer, Christian (2024 Oct 24) Hasbro Hit With Layoffs, Wizards of the Coast Impacted. https://www.enworld.org/threads/hasbro-hit-with-layoffs-wizards-of-the-coast-impacted.707539. Operational streamlining. More about shareholders meeting too.
Leon, Cristo, Edgar Meritano, Miguel A. Bastarrachea-Magnani (2024 Oct 13) A Tri-Heuristic Ontological Approximation of Tabletop RPGs. https://analoggamestudies.org/2024/10/a-tri-heuristic-ontological-approximation-of-tabletop-rpgs. Framework for defining RPGs as subjects of study.
Leon, Cristo, James Lipuma, Marcos O. Cabobianco (2024 Oct 13) Constitutive Factors of Mega-Campaigns in TTRPGs: A Systematic Literature Review. https://analoggamestudies.org/2024/10/constitutive-factors-of-mega-campaigns-in-ttrpgs-a-systematic-literature-review. Elements of successful extended narratives in RPGs.
Leon, Cristo, James Lipuma, Mauricio Rangel Jimenez (2024 Oct 13) Tabletop and Digital Rituals in Dungeons & Dragons. https://analoggamestudies.org/2024/10/tabletop-and-digital-rituals-in-dungeons-dragons. Ethnographic study of the unwritten rules and culture of gaming.
Lizama, Eduardo Adrian Chavez & Ricardo Morales Carbajal (2024 Oct 13) Role Playing Games as an Educational Stimulation. https://analoggamestudies.org/2024/10/role-playing-games-as-an-educational-stimulation. Math as a source of motivation and adventure.
Manuel, Thomas (2024 Oct 10) The Dragons in D&D Play a Suspiciously Familiar Great Game. https://www.rascal.news/the-dragons-in-d-d-play-a-suspiciously-familiar-great-game. Colonialism in gaming.
Manuel, Thomas (2024 Oct 17) We Need to Talk About the Wave of New Games from Italy. https://www.rascal.news/new-games-from-italy. Growth, diversification, and active players.
Mason, Jon Norman (2024 Oct 23) D&D character stats as an analogy in teaching professional skills. https://youtu.be/hZt4TDMWKZw. Working with first year medical students.
Mason, Jon Norman (2024 Oct 23) Ideas on the cultural resonances of fantasy species. https://youtu.be/bRanku7kMR8. Cultural roots and RPG depictions of non-humans.
Morrissey, Russ (2024 Oct 29) DriveThruRPG’s New AI-Content Filter. https://www.enworld.org/threads/drivethrurpgs-new-ai-content-filter.707636. New shopping filter for ever-changing technologies in games.
Navarro, Taylor (2024 Oct 16) The PoC Lounge Returns to Dragonmeet UK. https://www.rascal.news/the-poc-lounge-returns-to-dragonmeet-uk. Creating professional space for People of Color.
Nolan, Vikki & Sharlene Rudd (2024 Oct 23) Integrating Therapy into Tabletop Role play: The Impact of Research on Innovation and therapeutic intervention. https://youtu.be/pU65w8x5dxw. Games as therapeutic technique.
Phoenix, Bronwen Winter (2024 Oct 25) New exhibition ‘Gateway to Adventure: 50 Years of D&D Art’ to launch tomorrow. https://www.geeknative.com/169297/new-exhibition-gateway-to-adventure-50-years-of-dd-art-to-launch-tomorrow. Koder Collection on display with concurrent exhibition on dragons at the Uffizi Galleries.
Phoenix, Bronwen Winter (2024 Oct 31) Mythic Minds announce Sir Ian Livingstone as official ambassador for Young Dragons. https://www.geeknative.com/169441/exclusive-mythic-minds-announce-sir-ian-livingstone-is-now-official-ambassador-for-young-dragons. Industry veteran lends support to UK project supporting young people with special education needs.
Proops, Hereward (2024 Oct 23) How can the nature of co-constructed play in tabletop role-playing games build positive group relationships in both physical and online spaces. https://youtu.be/SJZz8MqZVSA. Play, community, and relationships.
Schaeffer, Scott (2024 Oct 18) Dungeons & Dragons marathon raises over $111,000 for charity at Forestledge in Burien. https://b-townblog.com/dungeons-dragons-marathon-raises-over-111000-for-charity-at-forestledge-in-burien. Annual event benefits Games to Grow and The Nature Conservancy.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Oct 7) Inspiration from Edinburgh. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-inspiration-from-edinburgh.707094. Model for a fantasy city.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Oct 14) Inspiration from Sweeney Todd. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-inspiration-from-sweeney-todd.707197. Plots and perils ranging from the gothic to melodrama to comedy.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Oct 21) Gift Ideas for Steampunk Fans. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-gift-ideas-for-steampunk-fans-2024.707224. From boots to hats in style.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Oct 28) Gift Ideas for Dragon Fans. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-gift-ideas-for-dragon-fans-2024.707225. Many forms of dragons.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Oct 31) Inspiration from Sleepy Hollow. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-inspiration-from-sleepy-hollow.707190. Many stories from one small, evocative town.
Vivarelli, Nick (2024 Oct 25) Lucca Comics Chief on Why the Medieval Town Named a Street After ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Co-Creators Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. https://variety.com/2024/film/global/lucca-comics-emanuele-vietina-medieval-town-dungeons-amp-dragons-gary-gygax-and-dave-arneson-1236187584. Part of festivals celebration of D&D, Tolkein, Tetris, and the Butterfly Effect.
Walsh, Orla (2024 Oct 23) Roll for Insight: understanding how the experience of playing Dungeons and Dragons impacts the mental health of a frequent player. https://youtu.be/Z_X3dKzW8WI. Gamer psychology.
Williams, Zo (2024 Oct 22) Dreams, TTRPGs, and Radical Imagination. https://www.rascal.news/dreams-ttrpgs-and-radical-imagination. Imagine the possibilities.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 Oct 2) A Different Kind of Award Show is Possible for Actual Play. https://www.rascal.news/a-different-kind-of-award-show-is-possible-for-actual-play. New Jersey Web Fest of audio fiction celebrates podcasts and actual play.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 Oct 11) Hurricane Helene’s Impact on Tabletop. https://www.rascal.news/hurricane-helenes-impact-on-tabletop. Climate change and natural disasters, community and play.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 Oct 23) Rolling a Nat 20 will not save the American Project. https://www.rascal.news/rolling-a-nat-20-will-not-save-the-american-project. Musings on gaming, politics, and fundraising.
© 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.