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

2026 CAR-PGA BOARD ELECTION RESULTS

By David Millians

Thank you for voting!

The results this year come as little surprise, as we had five people standing for five board positions, but let’s make it official. Adam Watson, David Millians, Michael Tresca, Sebastiane Sacerdoti-Ravenscroft, and Ted Skirvin will steer the mighty ship of CAR-PGa for this calendar year.

If you have ideas for projects or anything you would like the board to explore, please send it in!

We do all this work together.

ARTICLES

Adam’s Educational Electrum

January 2026

Hello, and welcome to my column for the monthly CAR-PGa newsletter! For those readers out there who are educators, I am flattered, humbled and grateful for the chance to share a modest trinket of treasure to help you on your instructional quests. This might be a gaming resource, a full out TTRPG, or a particular educator’s story.

Welcome back from winter break! For this month’s column, let’s celebrate the roles of librarians and libraries in education. If “librarian” was a playable TTRPG class, they would be the ultimate healer and buff agent for the party, soothing the troubled teacher brow and augmenting the educational power of others. Of course, they are also a literacy mage and instructional force in their own right! The library is also a perfect learning hub for a school, containing ample resources as well as a wonderful space for exceptional learning experiences to occur.

With all of that in mind, I want to give a shoutout to one particular public school librarian, Laura Mann. She’s at Bernheim Middle School (Bullitt County, KY), and Mann recently invited me to come and observe a TTRPG she created and was running with her sixth graders. The students had been reading The Bletchley Riddle, and Mann came up with the TTRPG to increase their engagement and literacy. For the game, Mann used a simplified version of D&D. Students began by filling out a character sheet based on their research of a historical figure from the book. Then, the students played the TTRPG in small groups using their characters, managed by a series of Canva slides with “Breakout EDU” types of riddles. For the full interview with Mann, along with links to her various TTRPG materials, click here!

For additional librarian resources, check out the American Library Association’s Games and Gaming Round Table (GameRT) on the web, Discord, and other social media. They have been discussing the power of TTRPGs (along with the positive impact of other types of games on learning) for years. Speaking of GameRT, George Bergstrom is the Regional Coordinator for Professional Development for the Indiana State Library who works frequently with GameRT and has hosted several webinars on the topic of TTRPGs (one of which I was a grateful guest!). Rosemary Kiladitis wrote an article for the School Library Journal in February 2025 that serves as an excellent primer for “Bringing Tabletop Role-Playing Games to the Library.” A trio of secondary public school librarians in Alabama (John Hamilton, Laura Massey, and Jennifer Powell) recently shared their thoughts and resources in a session at AASL‘s annual conference in October of last year; Hamilton also runs various social media accounts for his Central High School D&D Club. Lastly, for more pragmatic tips about how librarians can be a central part of the educational TTRPG experience, be sure to check out my recently published book!

Until our next time together at the table,

Adam Watson

Adam Watson is an award-winning public school educator,writer, and frequent presenter of professional development at regional and national conferences such as Gen Con and GAMA Expo. In 2022, he launched Kentucky Educators for Role Playing Games, sharing how TTRPGs can positively impact student learning. His book Tabletop Role-Playing Games in the Classroom: Infusing Gameplay into K-12 Instruction waspublished by McFarlandin 2025. For more about Adam, visit his personal site.

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.

Campbell, Stephanie (2025 Dec 1) ​​Review of Badger + Coyote, a cozy duet TTRPG. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2025/12/01/review-of-badger-coyote-a-cozy-duet-ttrpg. Accessible, cozy play for all ages.

Campbell, Stephanie (2025 Dec 4) TTRPGs from Pre-K to College – Different Age, Same Concept: Recording from Origins 2025. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2025/12/04/ttrpgs-from-pre-k-to-college-different-age-same-concept-recording-from-origins-2025. Games and learning for all ages.

Campbell, Stephanie (2025 Dec 8) Interview with Quin Callahan on youth TTRPGs in libraries. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2025/12/08/interview-with-quin-callahan-on-youth-ttrpgs-in-libraries. Leading games for young people, especially in libraries.

Campbell, Stephanie (2025 Dec 11) TTRPGkids Pax Unplugged 2025 Recap. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2025/12/11/ttrpgkids-pax-unplugged-2025-recap. Con report.

Campbell, Stephanie (2025 Dec 15) Review of Monumental Consequences, a large group TTRPG about if art is worth dying for. https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2025/12/15/review-of-monumental-consequences-a-large-group-ttrpg-about-if-art-is-worth-dying-for. Fraught game of decisions under pressure for teens and older, designed for classroom play as well.

Carter, Chase (2025 Dec 3) Growing Pains For Dragonmeet, London’s Biggest Little RPG Convention. https://www.rascal.news/growing-pains-for-dragonmeet-londons-biggest-little-rpg-convention. Convention review.

Chan, Khee Hoon (2025 Dec 11) The trials and tribulations of tabling at conventions. https://www.rascal.news/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-tabling-at-conventions. Conversations about the logistics and challenges of a game convention exhibiter.

Chan, Khee Hoon (2025 Dec 16) GAMA appoints new interim executive director, Zaria Davis, with a background in advocacy and restorative practice. https://www.rascal.news/gama-appoints-new-interim-executive-director-zaria-davis-with-a-background-in-advocacy-and-restorative-practice. Challenges and optimism in a time of change.

Dee, Steve (2025 Dec 19) Solo RPGs are way older than you think. https://croakerrpgs.substack.com/p/solo-rpgs-are-way-older-than-you. Some history and insights.

Frazier, Lauren (2025 Dec 30) Why More Black Women Should Play Tabletop RPGs. https://blackgirlnerds.com/black-women-play-tabletop-rpgs. Reasons and resources for those interested.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 1) Rascal News price rise highlights the fight for indie TTRPG journalism. https://www.geeknative.com/216110/rascal-news-price-rise-highlights-the-fight-for-indie-ttrpg-journalism. You get what you pay for, or it goes away.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 3) Dragonmeet 2025 award winners. https://www.geeknative.com/216213/dragonmeet-2025-award-winners. Recognizing some of the excellence of the past year.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 3) Solving the RPG scheduling problem: Holger from Groupfinder discusses LFG safety. https://www.geeknative.com/216337/solving-the-rpg-scheduling-problem-holger-from-groupfinder-discusses-lfg-safety. Expanding access with clarity to prevent distress for players looking for a game.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 5) Fantasy Grounds encourages legacy users to claim compensation rewards ahead of 2026 deadline. https://www.geeknative.com/216538/fantasy-grounds-encourages-legacy-users-to-claim-compensation-rewards-ahead-of-2026-deadline. Visit the Reward Claims page before January 1, 2026.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 5) Geek Native combats digital decay with Internet Archive integration. https://www.geeknative.com/216529/geek-native-combats-digital-decay-with-internet-archive-integration. Keeping links to games alive in an ever-shifting medium.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 9) Australia’s social media ban creates a digital divide for young roleplayers. https://www.geeknative.com/216982/australias-social-media-ban-creates-a-digital-divide-for-young-roleplayers. Young people can play but finding games and communities is now more challenging.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 11) New Shadow Council launches to monitor UK games industry ethics. https://www.geeknative.com/217192/new-shadow-council-launches-to-monitor-uk-games-industry-ethics. Representing developers, artists, and educators.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 17) The Bodhana Group and Onyx Path release therapeutic RPG Branch Riders. https://www.geeknative.com/218357/the-bodhana-group-and-onyx-path-release-therapeutic-rpg-branch-riders. For use in clinical and educational settings.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 17) Roll with History: New dice collection embeds 15th-century chainmail and T-Rex fragments. https://www.geeknative.com/218315/roll-with-history-new-dice-collection-embeds-15th-century-chainmail-and-t-rex-fragments. Dice with exotic bits of history.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 18) Beyond the pledge manager: How BackerKit is changing the business of roleplaying games. https://www.geeknative.com/218382/beyond-the-pledge-manager-how-backerkit-is-changing-the-business-of-roleplaying-games. Support and collaboration.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 26) Beyond D&D: The best-selling RPGs on Fantasy Grounds in 2025. https://www.geeknative.com/219424/beyond-dd-the-best-selling-rpgs-on-fantasy-grounds-in-2025. Crunchy but varied systems.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 29) The unofficial best-selling 2025 releases on DriveThruRPG. https://www.geeknative.com/219691/the-unofficial-best-selling-2025-releases-on-drivethrurpg. Compilation of Mithral and Adamantine products.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 29) The unofficial best-selling 2025 DriveThruRPG publisher league table. https://www.geeknative.com/219694/the-unofficial-best-selling-2025-drivethrurpg-publisher-league-table. Highest-scoring publishers.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 29) The unofficial best-selling 2025 DriveThruRPG analysis: Human vs AI. https://www.geeknative.com/219698/the-unofficial-best-selling-2025-drivethrurpg-analysis-human-vs-ai. Sales category success indicates consumer preference for non-AI products.

Girdwood, Andrew (2025 Dec 30) The unofficial best-selling 2025 DMsGuild analysis: The Metadata Crisis. https://www.geeknative.com/219892/the-unofficial-best-selling-2025-dmsguild-analysis-the-metadata-crisis. The more sales, the less likely creators to indicate AI use.

Habeeb (2025 Dec 23) the infrastructure of magical convenience. https://beeboobubie.substack.com/p/the-infrastructure-of-magical-convenience. Controlling the means of magical production.

Helix (2025 Dec 15) Actual Play or Musical Theater? Why not both?. https://www.rascal.news/actual-play-or-musical-theater-why-not-both. Play and performance.

Hisham, Khairul (2025 Dec 7) Cadre RPG at SRIAF. https://hishgraphics.com/cadre-rpg-at-sriaf. Adventures in communication with young players.

Hoffer, Christian (2025 Dec 29) Kansas City Chiefs Release Hour-Long D&D Actual Play Video. https://www.enworld.org/threads/kansas-city-chiefs-release-hour-long-d-d-actual-play-video.716940. Dungeons & Defense.

Hoffer, Christian (2025 Dec 31) Daggerheart Sold Out in Two Weeks, Has Three-Year Plan in Place. https://www.enworld.org/threads/daggerheart-sold-out-in-two-weeks-has-three-year-plan-in-place.716975. Success, change, and growth.

Hutton, Christopher (2025 Dec 3) Pay-to-Play: The Business of the Professional Dungeon Master. https://www.ttrpginsider.news/p/pay-to-play-the-business-of-the-professional-dungeon-master. Some history and some systems.

Hutton, Christopher (2025 Dec 10) Using TTRPGs to Interview Interesting People: Jeff Stormer Looking Back on Ten Years of “Party of One”. https://www.ttrpginsider.news/p/using-ttrpgs-to-interview-interesting-people-jeff-stormer-looking-back-on-ten-years-of-party-of-one. Talking with people about their games and play.

Hutton, Christopher (2025 Dec 21) The Castle Automatic Counters Crowdfunding with Pre-Orders. https://www.ttrpginsider.news/p/news-roundup-the-castle-automatic-counters-crowdfunding-with-pre-orders. Developing games without turning to crowdfunding platforms.

Hutton, Christopher (2025 Dec 31) Looking Back: TTRPG Industry Professionals on the Takeaways of 2025. https://www.ttrpginsider.news/p/looking-back-ttrpg-industry-professionals-on-the-takeaways-of-2025. From tariffs to AI to OGL ripple effects to solo and duo games.

Ionita, Serban (2025 Dec 12) The Rise of Comfort TTRPGs: Cosy Gaming, Slice of Life, and the Fantasy of Safety. https://therpggazette.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/the-rise-of-comfort-ttrpgs-cosy-gaming-slice-of-life-and-the-fantasy-of-safety. Imagining a world that does not hurt in uncertain times.

Ionita, Serban (2025 Dec 17) Between Gygax and Kafka: The Dungeon as Existential Space in OSR Games. https://therpggazette.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/between-gygax-and-kafka-the-dungeon-as-existential-space-in-osr-games. Indifferent and absurd, forming meaning through experience.

Ionita, Serban (2025 Dec 31) From Basement to Broadcast: D&D After Critical Role. https://therpggazette.wordpress.com/2025/12/31/from-basement-to-broadcast-dd-after-critical-role. Critical Role, streaming game play, wider engagement, and self-reflection.

Kporwofa, Manda, Edmond Chang, Evan Torner, Luke Hernandez, Megan Condis, Mirek Stolle, Shelly Jones (2025 Dec 7) Postcards from the 2025 BIPOC Game Studies Conference. https://analoggamestudies.org/2025/12/postcards-from-the-2025-bipoc-game-studies-conference. Descriptions and reflections on presentations, conversations, and community.

Koster, Raph (2025 Nov 3) Game design is simple, actually. https://www.raphkoster.com/2025/11/03/game-design-is-simple-actually. Breaking it down into less-complex pieces.

Kunzelman, Cameron (2025 Dec 5) What PAX Unplugged tells us about the future of tabletop gaming. https://www.avclub.com/pax-unplugged-future-of-tabletop-games. Con report, community, megagames, jubensha, Over/Under, cards, and solo and duet games.

Loves, Valerie (2025 Nov 18) How to Replicate Over/Under. https://www.valerialoves.com/how-to-replicate-over-under. Tips for creating successful play-by-post games.

Martens, Todd (2025 Dec 10) The best part of ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ is the storytelling. This L.A. stage show leans in. https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2025-12-10/dungeons-dragons-twenty-sided-tavern. Review of 20-Sided Tavern in Los Angeles.

MacDougall, Nico (2025 Dec 3) November 2025 TTRPG Crowdfunding Retrospective. https://ttrpg-spider.blogspot.com/2025/12/november-2025-ttrpg-crowdfunding.html. Increasing number of successful projects, Month Fatigue, and the growth of AI elements.

Maitham (2025 Dec 15) Building Iraq’s First TTRPG Community Looking for Advice & Connections. https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/comments/1pn2x29/building_iraqs_first_ttrpg_community_looking_for

. Expanding community and options.

Maliszewski, James (2025 Dec 19) What If the Satanic Panic Had Never Happened?. https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2025/12/what-if-satanic-panic-had-never-happened.html. Scenarios we can never know.

Morris, Daniel (2025 Dec 20) A Dungeons and Dragons Player Spent 5 Years Tracking Rolls, and Here Are the Results. https://gamerant.com/dungeons-and-dragons-tracking-rolls-stats. Examining the odds in play.

Morrissey, Russ (2025 Dec 31) General Tim Kask, TSR’s First Employee, Passes At Age 76. https://www.enworld.org/threads/tim-kask-tsrs-first-employee-passes-at-age-76.716970. He helped define the new business of RPGs.

Notestine, Clayton (2025 Dec 3) The Bloggies 2026. https://www.explorersdesign.com/the-bloggies-2026. Recognizing conversations in tabletop roleplaying games.

Palat, Lakshana N (2025 Dec 9) How to play Dungeons & Dragons, the Stranger Things way — in UAE. https://gulfnews.com/lifestyle/how-to-play-dungeons-dragons-the-stranger-things-way-in-uae-1.500373711. Learning to play and find a game in the United Arab Emirates.

Plante, Corey (2025 Dec 18) KPop Demon Hunters D&D Kickstarter pulls inspiration from unexpected places. https://www.polygon.com/k-pop-demon-hunters-dnd-dungeons-and-dragons-kickstarter. Playing with pop culture.

Reinstein, Mara (2025 Dec 17) Mother of Dragonlance. https://showme.missouri.edu/2025/mother-of-dragonlance. Alumna profile of Margaret Weis.

Rimmels, Beth (2025 Dec 8) A [D&D] Gamer Gift Guide for All Ages. https://www.enworld.org/threads/a-d-d-gamer-gift-guide-for-all-ages.716542. Many good suggestions for introducing people to games.

Saliby, Sophia (2025 Dec 3) New Lansing business aims to offer ultimate Dungeons & Dragons experience. https://www.wkar.org/wkar-news/2025-12-03/new-lansing-business-aims-to-offer-ultimate-dungeons-dragons-experience. Dungeons & Flagons is a new game space in Lansing, Michigan.

SciShow (2025 Dec 10) DnD Really Is Therapy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvVmg2Xp-cA&t=3s. Discussion of possibilities and research.

Shearwood, CJ (2025 Dec 18) Austerity Killed Narrative Wargaming (And, Statistically, Your Nan). https://www.rascal.news/austerity-killed-narrative-wargaming-and-statistically-your-nan. Politics and policies reduce options and community spaces.

staff/news release (2025 Dec 26) New documentary explores Dungeons and Dragons’ impact on table-top gaming history. https://kaukaunacommunitynews.com/2025/12/26/new-documentary-explores-dungeons-and-dragons-impact-on-the-table-top-gaming-history. 50 Years of Fantasy documentary, from Build Something Media, explores the cultures and history of tabletop play.

Teh, Cheryl (2025 Dec 20) She went from a fan on Twitch to showrunner of Critical Role’s Amazon-backed ‘The Mighty Nein.’ This is how she did it. https://www.businessinsider.com/critical-role-mighty-nein-prime-video-tasha-huo-showrunner-job-2025-12. Turning her beloved streaming stories into an animated hit.

Tresca, Mike (2025 Dec 1) Gift Ideas for Miniature Gamers (2025). https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-evolution-gift-ideas-for-miniature-gamers-2025.716326. Too late for Santa Season but useful.

Voigt, Aaron (2025 Dec 29) The Golden Age of Indie RPGs: 2010-2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm0dnjbQzD4. Shifts in RPG independent publishing and community.

Watson, Adam (2025 Dec 4) “Tabletop Role-Playing Games in the Classroom” is now in print. https://watsonedtech.blogspot.com/2025/12/tabletop-role-playing-games-in.html. Ideas for games in schools, now in print.

© Copyright 2026 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.