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,
As I mentioned previously, I recently went on an anniversary cruise with my family in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is fertile ground for gaming inspiration. But what I didn’t mention was the timing. I had major abdominal surgery this past month, which I put off until after the cruise. It’s been a real slog as I work to recover my strength and stamina. I think of all my adventuring heroes who got stabbed in the gut and then went back to adventuring the next day. It’s going to take six weeks at least before I’m back on my feet!
Fortunately, I can still work from a computer (although sitting for too long takes a toll). We’re back to our monthly interview series on YouTube, and our guest this month was Garry Harper. Garry is Operation Director for The Role Play Haven CIC, which uses role playing as a tool to raise money for charities. He is a former Operations Manager for Modiphius, has been behind some of the largest Kickstarters in the industry, and is a tabletop consultant for board and tabletop role-playing games. I highly encourage you to work with Garry’s organization, as he’s looking to expand Role Play Haven to the United States. You can watch our discussion on our YouTube channel.
Meguey Baker, a friend of mine and one of the authors of Apocalypse World 2nd Edition among many other games, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, it appears to be stage one, grade one (caught early and slow growing). We’ve added means of supporting her to the CAR-PGA Gamers in Need page. You can help by purchasing the Meguey Baker vs. Cancer bundle on DriveThruRPG.
Finally, congratulations to CAR-PGA member Tim Hutchings on the success of So You’ve Met a Thousand Year Old Vampire on Backerkit! This solo tabletop role-playing game is a direct sequel to the award-winning Thousand Year Old Vampire: You’re a regular person who has made the acquaintance of a dangerous unnatural creature. Are you a friend, a lover, food, or something else? 4,108 backers brought the game to life (undeath?), blowing past the goal of $45,000 to finish with $284,129 on September 17!
It’s good to be back. I hope you’re finding your rhythm again. Here’s to our health, our friends, and our games.
Sincerely,
Mike Tresca
Committee Chair
ARTICLES
Dungeons & Dragons in Higher Education
By Ian Turner
We are delighted to announce the fourth (free) event from the renamed Dungeons and Dragons Research Tavern on October 22, 2024, 9AM to 1PM (Online). Three confirmed talks so far.
Orla Walsh (University College Cork) – Roll for Insight: understanding how the experience of playing Dungeons and Dragons impacts the mental health of a frequent player (based on this paper – https://doi.org/10.33063/ijrp.vi15.321)
Hereward Proops (UHI)- We can be heroes” How can the nature of co-constructed play in tabletop role-playing games build positive group relationships in both physical and online spaces?
Sharlene Rudd Vikki Nolan (University of Derby)- Integrating Therapy into Tabletop Role play: The Impact of Research on Innovation and therapeutic interventions”
Details here – D&D in HE (google.com) [Editor – Check out the whole site and its resources!]
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.
Arthur, W.H. (2024 Sep 6) Folklore Jam Is Back For 2024. https://www.rascal.news/done-folklore-jam-is-back-for-2024. Through October 31, 2024.
Baur, Wolfgang (2024 Sep 19) Kobold Press Issues the No AI Pledge. https://koboldpress.com/state-of-play-kobold-press-issues-the-no-ai-pledge. AI is not required to run your game.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Aug 29) This month in children’s RPGs with Family Fantasy RPG and TTRPGkids – Back to School. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/08/29/this-month-in-childrens-rpgs-with-family-fantasy-rpg-and-ttrpgkids-back-to-school. New ideas and a new school year.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Sep 2) Intentionally therapeutic TTRPGs and TTRPG resources. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/09/02/intentionally-therapeutic-ttrpgs-and-ttrpg-resources. Games and resources.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Sep 5) Using TTRPGs to learn and teach math. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/09/05/using-ttrpgs-to-learn-and-teach-math. Infinite possibilities from basic practice to advanced group explorations.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Sep 9) 6 fun & exciting solo TTRPGs for any age. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/09/09/6-fun-exciting-solo-ttrpgs-for-any-age. Great games to play alone or with a kid.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Sep 12) Review of What I did on my Summer Holidays. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/09/12/review-of-what-i-did-on-my-summer-holidays. Imaginative back-to-school stories.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Sep 16) Interview with Garrett Munro from Tabletop EDU. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/09/16/interview-with-garrett-munro-from-tabletop-edu. Games as an agency for learning.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Sep 19) Review of CATS by Minakie Games. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/09/19/review-of-cats-by-minakie-games. Kid- and cat-lover friendly game of feline adventures.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Sep 23) Tabletop RPG Classroom: In-Game Chemistry Lab for High School Students. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/09/23/tabletop-rpg-classroom-in-game-chemistry-lab-for-high-school-students. Planning and deploying chemistry lessons using RPG techniques.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Sep 26) Review of The Long Road Home, an epic storytelling game. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/09/26/review-of-the-long-road-home-an-epic-storytelling-game. Fun and flexible in a journey of guided discovery.
Campbell, Steph (2024 Sep 30) Halloween tabletop RPGs for all ages (kids and grown ups). https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/09/30/halloween-tabletop-rpgs-for-all-ages-kids-and-grown-ups. Small reviews and expanding database of fun games for the season.
Carter, Chase (2024 Sep 12) Manufacturing Consent In Hasbro’s Toy Factory. https://www.rascal.news/manufacturing-consent-in-hasbros-toy-factory. Easing acceptance of AI elements of Dungeons & Dragons.
Carter, Chase (2024 Sep 30) BigBadBoycott Organizers Reach Agreement with Tabletop Convention Leadership. https://www.rascal.news/bigbadboycott-organizers-reach-agreement-with-tabletop-convention-leadership. Pressure leads to an official statement about Palestinians.
Dabirian, Nima (2024 Sep 18) Scrying on Iran’s Tabletop Scene. https://www.rascal.news/scrying-on-irans-tabletop-scene. Overcoming censorship, Covid-19, and old prejudices to play games together.
Davis, Adam (2024 Sep 20) Leveling Up Community: Highlights from Game to Grow’s Library Training Series Reaching Over 100 Librarians. https://gametogrow.org/2024/09/20/leveling-up-community-highlights-from-game-to-grows-library-training-series-reaching-over-100-librarians. Spreading RPGs to librarians and communities.
Dowling, Paul (2009 Aug 14) Forensic Files. https://archive.org/details/forensic-files-collection/Medical+Detectives+-Forensic+Files-+in+HD+-+Season+13-+Episode+27+-+Holy+Terror.mp4. Season 13, Episode 27, had the old implication that playing D&D leads one to commit murders. [from Ted Skirvin]\
Drost, Philip (2024 Sep 28) How Dungeons & Dragons went from ‘satanic panic’ to pop culture fixture. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/dungeons-and-dragons-50th-anniversary-1.7332423. From obscurity to infamy to social acceptability.
Girdwood, Andrew (2024 Sep 7) Folklore in fantasy RPGs? Over, under or inappropriately used?. https://www.geeknative.com/168338/folklore-in-fantasy-rpgs-over-under-or-inappropriately-used. Notes from panel discussion at Tabletop Scotland.
Girdwood, Andrew (2024 Sep 12) D&D tribute “Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum” in Lake Geneva permanently closed. https://www.geeknative.com/168446/dd-tribute-dungeon-hobby-shop-museum-in-lake-geneva-in-permanently-closes. Items to be transferred to the Geneva Lake Museum or returned to donors.
Gregory, Julia & Emily Coady-Stemp (2023 Sep 11) Long-lost 80s TV theme tune to be released. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3ejg9zq4w9o. British composer Johnny Douglas created the music for the 1983 Dungeons & Dragons cartoon.
Hoffer, Christian (2024 Sep 4) D&D Is Getting an Official Stout and Bourbon. https://www.enworld.org/threads/d-d-is-getting-an-official-stout-and-bourbon.706535. Collaboration with Holland Brewing Company and more to come.
Hoffer, Christian (2024 Sep 11) Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks Talks AI Usage in D&D. https://www.enworld.org/threads/hasbro-ceo-chris-cocks-talks-ai-usage-in-d-d.706638. Excitement for applications and awareness of complexity.
Hoffer, Christian (2024 Sep 24) Titmouse Announces Drunkards, Druggies, & Delinquents, New TTRPG Party Game. https://www.enworld.org/threads/titmouse-announces-drunkards-druggies-delinquents-new-ttrpg-party-game.706846. Satirical RPG coming from a studio known for its animation achievements.
Hoffer, Christian (2024 Sep 30) PETA Releases Three New Dungeons & Dragons Subclasses. https://www.enworld.org/threads/peta-releases-three-new-dungeons-dragons-subclasses.706997. Three subclasses and new magic to promote kindness to animals.
jes (2024 Sep 9) TTRPGs for Accessible Gaming Charity Bundle launches. https://www.rascal.news/ttrpgs-for-accessible-gaming-charity-bundle-launches. Raising funds for braille dice.
Kern, Taima (2024 Sep 20) How I learned to bring my Dungeons & Dragons experience to the office. https://www.jsonline.com/story/opinion/2024/09/20/appleton-editor-taima-kern-talks-dungeons-and-dragons-newsroom-leadership/74834795007. Taking lessons from the game into the workplace.
Kondō, Kōshi (2023 Nov 11) History of Gamebooks in Japan. Japanese Journal of Analog Role-Playing Game Studies (JARPS; ISSN: 2434-9682), Number 4. Choosing narratives in Japan in the 1980s and 1990s.
Mello-Klein, Cody (2024 Sep 2) Queer tabletop roleplaying games provide valuable lessons that even ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ can learn from. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-queer-tabletop-roleplaying-games-valuable.html. Shifting conversations and play spaces.
Pettersson, Juhana (2015 Apr 13) Non-Digital: Better Dead Than Red. https://www.juhanapettersson.com/non-digital-better-dead-than-red. Review of politics-based RPG The Price of Freedom from 1986.
Phoenix, Bronwen Winter (2024 Sep 26) Check out the trailer for moving gamer documentary ‘The Remarkable Life of Ibelin’. https://www.geeknative.com/168710/check-out-the-trailer-for-moving-gamer-documentary-the-remarkable-life-of-ibelin. A documentary of online gaming, friendship, and self.
Rabulias (2022 Feb 9) Correspondence with David Trampier and A History of His 1985 Attempt to Crowdfund a Wormy Anthology). https://www.enworld.org/threads/correspondence-with-david-trampier-and-a-history-of-his-1985-attempt-to-crowdfund-a-wormy-anthology.685950. Early D&D comic.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Sep 2) Inspiration from Kotor. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-inspiration-from-kotor.706325. Antiquity, cats, relics, and shrines.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Sep 9) Inspiration from Corfu. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-inspiration-from-corfu.706327. Myths, battles, and secrets.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Sep 16) Inspiration from Zakynthos. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-inspiration-from-zakynthos.706586. Dramatic landscapes, ancient history, and rich spiritual traditions.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Sep 23) The Right to Archive. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-the-right-to-archive.706720. Digital rights controversies of the past and their lessons for the present and future.
Tresca, Mike (2024 Sep 30) The Right to Write. https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-the-right-to-write.706721. Wizards of the Coast.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 Sep 2) Tabletop Workers Union Protest Alleged Union-Busting from Hex&Co Management. https://www.rascal.news/tabletop-workers-union-protest-alleged-union-busting-hex-co-management. Filings and protests.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 Sep 4) Never Stop Blowing Up asks what it means to be a man. https://www.rascal.news/never-stop-blowing-up-dimension-20-masculinity-agency. Exploring masculinity through play.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 Sep 16) Uncommons Workers walk out two weeks after Hex&Co. https://www.rascal.news/uncommons-workers-walk-out-two-weeks-after-hex-co. Protesting lack of progress in negotiations.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 Sep 26) Oh Captain, My Captain! Breaks Down the Door to Traditional Publishing. https://www.rascal.news/oh-captain-my-captain-rpg-simon-and-schuster. Top 5 book publishers testing the profitability of RPG books.
Zeoli, Rowan (2024 Sep 30) Brooklyn Strategist Owner Calls Police On Employee Walkout. https://www.rascal.news/brooklyn-strategist-owner-calls-police-on-employee-walkout. Employees prepare to vote on unionizing.
© 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.