One simple way to encourage roleplaying and story development in a campaign is to give each character a “big problem” that they must deal with. You should assign this problem when the character is created, with it representing an aspect of their past that actively impacts on the present. The problem might initially have little impact on the game but, as the campaign progresses, it should impose itself more and more upon the character until it demands a resolution. Following is a list of 100 such problems for the player to choose from. These are only outlines, and the player should work with th ..read more

My players have spent four sessions dungeon-crawling through the Temple of the Lightbringers. Last week, they all agreed it's been "very intense." Then someone said, "It's a dungeon crawl, but it's also been surprisingly good for character development. I feel like we've learned a lot about each other." He is right! One of the good things about dungeon crawls is that they serve as a terrific canvas for character development. When people say they find dungeon crawls boring, at least part of the reason is because this isn't happening. So, how do you run a dungeon crawl that centers the characters ..read more

These are my notes on chapter 6 of The Elusive Shift: How RPGs Forged Their Identity, written by Jon Peterson and published by MIT Press. My notes on chapter 5 are available here. Chapter 6: Maturity The late 1970s saw the hobby shift toward highly codified rules systems, culminating in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D). This game emphasized strict rule adherence, aiming for uniformity in gameplay and dismissing the idea of house rules--a significant departure from the original D&D's encouragement of creativity. This shift sparked debates on the essence of role-playing games. Comm ..read more

These are my notes on chapter 5 of The Elusive Shift: How RPGs Forged Their Identity, written by Jon Peterson and published by MIT Press. My notes on chapter 4 are available here. Chapter 5: Toward a Philosophy Defining role-playing games (RPGs) has been a complex endeavor due to their novel and expansive nature, starting with attempts in the 1970s to philosophically categorize them amidst a broad design space and commercial influences. Early RPGs ranged from open systems to those with rigid constraints, with commercialization often dictating the RPG label more than philosophical precision. Th ..read more

As a Dungeon Master, your role is to create an enjoyable, engaging, and respectful game environment. Here are some etiquette rules to help you do this: Consistency is Key: Apply the rules consistently. Be clear about whether you're using official rules or house rules, and ensure that players understand and experience them uniformly throughout the campaign. If you need to make a change, communicate the reasons why and get player buy-in. In the same way, present the game world details as consistently as possible; this greatly aids player immersion. Respect Player Agency: Value and respect yo ..read more

These are my notes on chapter 4 of The Elusive Shift: How RPGs Forged Their Identity, written by Jon Peterson and published by MIT Press. My notes on chapter 3 are available here. Chapter 4: Role of the Referee Referees in D&D have two main tasks: creating the game world and dungeons before play and managing the game and dialogue during play. This chapter discusses the evolution of the referee's role, including the shift from dungeon facilitator to narrative creator. There is also a discussion of RPGs that give players increased narrative control, as well as those games that dispense with ..read more

While meeting at a tavern for the first time in session one is a classic start for adventuring parties, it is often better to connect the characters through some preexisting relationships. This shared history can significantly enhance the depth and complexity of character interactions, as well as fostering a sense of camaraderie or conflict between characters right from the beginning. All of this is rich fodder for social interaction and character development. The following d66 table contains suggestions for connections between two characters. It is not necessary to have every character connec ..read more

People sometimes claim that Dungeons & Dragons only supports a narrow range of play styles, but that is not my experience. I've seen the D&D rules used to support a variety of games, and as a DM, you should comprehend this versatility and use it to your advantage. Along the way, you should figure out not only your preferred style but also your group's preferences. In this article, I'll explain some of the different styles of play I've encountered. Hack-and-Slash In this popular style of play, the game centers around combat. Characters battle one monster after another, with little thoug ..read more

Ben Riggs, a D&D historian, caused quite a stir this week when he pronounced The Golden Age of TTRPGs is Dead. Riggs describes the 2010s as a booming period for tabletop role-playing games, marked by a massive influx of new players and innovative game design, primarily fueled by the success of D&D 5E. But, with the death of the OGL and the fracturing of the fantasy RPG market, he thinks the "grand era" of Fifth Edition is sputtering out. I won't deny that it feels like something has died in the Fifth Edition ecosystem. The attempt to change the OGL rocked the confidence of those t ..read more

These are my notes on chapter 3 of The Elusive Shift: How RPGs Forged Their Identity, written by Jon Peterson and published by MIT Press. My notes on chapter 2 are available here. Chapter 3: Designing for Role Play The phrase “role-playing game” predates D&D, being used in political wargames since the 1960s. D&D, initially not labeled an RPG, sparked a genre that extended beyond traditional wargames. By 1975, commentators like George Phillies recognized D&D’s role-playing aspect. The term “role-playing” gradually became standard in game reviews, but its meaning remained ambiguous ..read more