A Visual History of RPG Research, RPG Therapeutics, the RPG Trailer, & The RPG Bus

by Hawke Robinson published 2017/07/28 22:45:00 GMT-7, last modified 2022-10-23T09:39:38-07:00
Here are some snapshot photos from the RPG Research Project since 2004.

This page contains just the visual history of RPG Research. If you would like to view a more comprehensive list with text and links, see the Amalgamation page for a whole lot more!

http://www2.rpgresearch.com/blog/amalgamation-of-panels-q-a-interviews-presentations-on-rpg-for-therapy-education

About The RPG Research Project

As an international community of volunteer researchers, we have been studying the effects of role-playing games since 1985, and since 2004 providing an open online research repository  investigating the effects of all role-playing game formats: tabletop, live-action (LARP), computer-based, and solo adventures.

Some of us, as volunteers from a Recreation Therapy background, help people achieve their educational, entertainment, and/or therapeutic goals through the intentional use of role-playing games (RPG) and music. We work with toddlers, youth, and adults of all ages, to help improve the quality of their lives.

 tabletop scene with miniatures and dice

 

 

Awards

RPG Brain Trust: Trustee of the Year Award (2017)

rpg brain trust mug

rpg brain trust mug side view

rpg brain trust mug rear view

 

 

2017

 

 

Drum Circle Facilitation Workshop at IndieAirRadio.com, November

group of people in a circle with drums

  

 

FanNexus, October

 

RPG Trailer setup at FanNex.us convention at the downtown Spokane, Convention Center.

RPG Research van in a warehouse underneath American Flag

 

a couple of cosplayers posing in front of RPG Research van

 

RPG Research Game Master John Welker with youth and adults: No Thank You Evil RPG

John Welker in a red fez leading a game

John Welker in a red fez DMing a game

 

 

RPG Research Game Master Danielle Whitworth. Adventures in Middle-Earth (AiMe), Eves of Mirkwood Adventure.

Danielle Whitworth leading a game with three other people

 

Hawke Robinson with Walter Koenig

Hawke Robinson with Walter Koenig

 

 

 

 

The RPG Bus (purchased), September

A bus with wheelchair lift. It is a "fixer-upper", and likely won't be ready for regular use until Summer 2018, but we're working on it.

 

 

The RPG Research Core Team, September

Screenshot from recording an upcoming video.

 

Core Team Bios and Photos: http://www2.rpgresearch.com/about/volunteer-team

 

 

 

SpoCon, August

RPG Trailer at SpoCon 2017

 

Panel: The Psychology of Gamers and Hackers

Panel:

Panel:

 

 

 

RPG Research Monthly Program at Spark Central Community Center: August, September, October, monthly on third Friday

 

 

 

 

 

 RPG Trailer, Muscular Dystrophy Summer Camp July 2017, Idaho.

MDA Testimonial: http://www2.rpgresearch.com/blog/testimonial-mda-2017

"... I was a counselor at the MDA 2017 Summer Camp ... All I can say is that you guys are AWESOME. My shy camper completely opened up for the first time ... had the best time. ... was his favorite activity from the camp! ... Thank you for everything that you guys do. I'm forever grateful to you! " --Emily

 

D&D 5e in the RPG trailer with Muscular Dystrophy youth, MDA Camp (age 6-17)

 

Drum Circle for Summoning Gathering to Begin RPG / LARP. MDA Camp (ages 6-17 + counselors and helpers)

 

Customizing Shields for LARP (Live-action Role-Play) MDA Camp (ages 6-17)

 

LARP - Battle Royale (Boffer combat) (MDA camp, ages 6-17)

 

LARP - Epic Quest (Cure (soak) the Ent)

Hawke as the Ent. MDA Camp, ages 6-17.

Hawke is 6'7", and with the buckets as stilts was around 9' tall, which the kids loved!

 

 

 

 RPG Trailer, Tolkien Moot XIII, July 2017. (Ages 12-65+)

In front of The Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer prototype, in front of Hawke's house.

 

Gaming inside the Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer Prototype at TolkienMoot.

 

 Gaming in Game Room #1 (Hawke's House) at Tolkien Moot

 

 

 

 Gaming in Game room #3 (Hawke's House) at Tolkien Moot.

 

 

 

RPG Resarch Core Volunteer Staff in front of RPG Trailer

Spokane, Washington, North Five Mile Area

 

WSTRA, Bellingham / RPG Trailer Tour #3

 

RPG Trailer at Stephen's Pass, Washington

 

Coulee Dam, Washington

 

 

 

The Spartan Show - Legends Through Shadow - Hawke as Dwarf Bard

 

A fun little trailer the show creator put together for the weekly Internet show in which I have a supporting role as one of the adventurers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2A-qAEmPLw&feature=youtu.be
Join us for role-playing gaming fun! I play the character of Khrandûm, the eccentric "Dwarf" Bard. D&D 5th edition.Tonight will be episode 6.
More about the cast:
And some more about the bard:
FYI, I ran the DM, and one of the other players, through an example campaign, on air, a couple years ago to introduce them to RPG & D&D, as The Spartan Show's: "Adventurer's Guild", and they were "hooked". Now he is running a game as DM, in a setting of his own creation, Legends Through Shadow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNWTRA, Portland, Oregon / RPG Trailer Tour #2

 

 

 

 

RPG Research Visits, Observes, and provides feedback on Wheelhouse Workshop's program

Seattle, Washington.

 

 

 

 

Hawke at Eastern Washington University, Therapeutic Recreation Class, Presenting on RPG Research & The RPG Trailer

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

Hawke as Bar Patron in web series Journey Quest 3.

Watch movie here: http://www.zombieorpheus.com/recent%20blog/watch-journeyquest-3/

 

 

 

 

RPG Trailer Tour #1

 

4 videos about using Role-Playing Games to achieve therapeutic & educational goals for various populations, with a longer geographic reach using the Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer.

Also, here is information about the just completed first RPG Trailer Tour, which includes more photos and videos.

 

Video #1, from Segment ("Hit") #3, 7:45 am, October 10, 2016

Archived Video & Article from KREM 2 News, original URL: http://www.krem.com/news/local/spokane-county/local-man-opens-unique-mobile-therapy-unit-to-help-physically-disabled/333302903

Also they posted it on Northwest Cable News here: http://www.nwcn.com/news/local/spokane-county/local-man-opens-unique-mobile-therapy-unit-to-help-physically-disabled/333306503

Local man opens unique mobile therapy unit to help people with disabilities.

Local man opens up unique mobile therapy unit

Kaitlin Loukides , KREM 10:25 AM. PDT October 10, 2016

SPOKANE, Wash. – One local man said Monday he is on a mission to help people with physical disabilities by using one unique method – RPGs, or role playing games.

Hawke Robinson first thought of the idea two years ago. He is offering mobile therapy called “RPG Research” which brings a therapy trailer right to the patient’s doorstep.

As a recreation therapist for the Washington State Department of Health, Robinson has been studying ways to help people recovering from traumatic brain injuries, ADD and ADHD, and Cerebral Palsy, through different methods.

What Robinson found was a bit unconventional. He purchased a wheelchair-friendly trailer he was able to customize and turn into a mobile therapy unit. Inside, it has up to 50 different musical instruments for patients to use during the healing process, along with his primary focus – tabletop role playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons.

Robinson said he has taken extensive neuroscience research and used it to understand how beneficial RPGs are in the therapy process for these patients.

Robinson paid for everything out of his own pocket and said he does not charge patients. He does have a GoFundMe account set up for people wanting to help him continue to serve and expand the service to more people across the region.

To learn more about his project, visit the RPG Research Project website.

 

Mobile therapy unit

 

 

Video #2 from Segment ("Hit") #1 broadcast live at 5:34 am, October 10th, 2016.

Original URL: http://www.krem.com/news/local/spokane-county/local-man-opens-up-mobile-therapy-unit/333209401

 

 

Video #3, from KREM 2 News Live Facebook Broadcast around 9:00 am, October 10th, 2016

I couldn't get embed code to work for the FB video, so here is a youtube version of the same video

 

Original Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/KREM2/videos/10153881882091301/

 

 

Video #4, Noon News Remix from Segment 3 with photos added.

Teaser at 0:15 to 00:24, main segment at 03:06 to 05:56

 

Additional Notes, Links, etc.

The links mentioned in the videos:
Recreation Therapy & music based activities, especially role-playing games.
The RPG Research Project: http://www.rpgresearch.com
The RPG Training through RPG Therapeutics LLC: http://www.rpgtherapy.com
Note that this is the prototype trailer (it can hold 3-4 people in wheelchairs), the Gofundme is for building the more ideal trailer that can hold more people in wheelchairs (6-8 people).
Other notes and additional links:
And as mentioned in video: the fuzzy d20 dice were a gift I received while on tour the previous weekend, from Adam Johns and Adam Davis of Wheelhouse Workshop - http://www.wheelhouseworkshop
The green bard hat thanks to Andy Dopieralski and Scott C. Brown of The Gamers http://www.watchthegamers.com and the Two Bards Podcast http://www.twobards.com
For my music as mentioned, "Synthetic Zen" you can listen and buy albums at http://www.indieairradio.com/product-category/music/hawke-robinson/ or check out live performances at http://youtube.com/thesyntheticzen and my website http://www.syntheticzen.com any money I receive for my music goes toward the RPG Trailer fund.
Additional Disclaimers & Notes:
At this stage I have been unable to get access to the other clips, they stated their lawyers do not allow them to release the archives to the public. I am still trying to find a means to get access to the rest of the clips that were more complete.
Since those missing clips included more details and some of my disclaimers, and they trimmed the online videos for the sake of brevity, here is more information about Hawke Robinson (me): http://rpgresearch.com/about/staff/hawke-robinson
Short summary: I am registered with the Washington State Department of Health as a Recreational Therapist, but still working toward getting the national certification from NCTRC, the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). I am nearing completion of an interdisciplinary degree in Recreation Therapy, Music Therapy, Neuroscience, & Research Psychology at Eastern Washington University.

 

Clarifications, Corrections, & Disclaimers

Some clarifications and corrections that didn't make it into the clips or need clarification in the article.

I am registered with the Washington State Department of Health, I do not work for them.

I am working on an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree in Recreation Therapy, Music Therapy, Neuroscience, and Research Psychology through Eastern Washington University.

I am still working toward getting the national Therapeutic Recreation (TR) certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through NCTRC. I have completed the required TR courses (and most of my other degree requirements), and I am now chiseling away at finishing my last few research psychology courses. I also have 2 internships to complete, one is a 16 week (40 hours/week) TR internship required to sit for the CTRS test, and a 10 week research psychology internship. Hopefully I will have all my degree requirements, the internships, and the CTRS requirements completed by the end of 2017, but no later than end of 2018.

I am an active member in good standing since 2014 for: American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) - http://www.atra-online.com, Washington State Therapeutic Recreation Association (WSTRA) - http://www.wstra.org, Pacific Northwest American Therapeutic Recreation Association (PNWATRA) - http://www.pnwatra.org (since January 2016), and I am Mental Health USA First Aid Certified - MHFAC.

More information about Hawke Robinson here: http://rpgresearch.com/about/staff/hawke-robinson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Matt Vancil, Author, Screenwriter, and more, of The Gamers, Journey Quest, and much more.

 

Wheelhouse Workshop, Andy Dopieralski of Two Bards & The Gamers.

 

 

 

 

 

RPG Research and RPG Trailer on KREM2 News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase/Pickup of RPG Trailer Prototype, September

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Gaming in Game Room #2 (Hawke's House), Youth Group

 

 

Boffer LARP (Hawke's backyard)

 

LARP (field near Hawke's house)

 

 

LARPers at the Inne (Hawke's house, balcony)

 

 

 

VHA Training - PTSD

 

 

Assessment and Treatment of Sleep Problems in PTSD - Background

 

 

Practical Assessment for PTSD

 

Pharmaceutical

 

Cognitive Behavioral

 

Assessment and Treatment of Sleep Problems in PTSD - Alternate Methods

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

August - WorldCon 83 / Sasquan Gaming

 RPG Research, Spokane Area Gaming Alliance, WorldCon, Sasquan Gaming.

 

 

Hawke Presenting at WorldCon 73 - RPGs for Education & Therapy

 

Video & Audio from multiple panels: http://www2.rpgresearch.com/blog/panel-recordings-from-worldcon-73-sasquan

Panel: Video: Rough, raw video of Gaming for Therapy, Gaming for Education, August 19, 2015.

Panel: Audio: WorldCon 73 Sasquan Game Designers Toolbox Panel, August 20, 2015.

Panel: Audio: WorldCon 73 Sasquan Game Mastering 101 Panel, August 21, 2015.

 

 

 

The Spartan Show - Adventurer's Guild  - Hawke as Game Master (Worlds of Beru Campaign, D&D 5e)

 

 

 

 

Adventure beginning video teaser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game Room #5 (Hawke's House)

 

 

Game Room #4 (Hawke's House)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merlyn's Late Night Gaming 2015

 

 

 

RPG Research, Extra-Life 24 hour gaming Fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network - November 2015

 

 

 

2014

 

Saint Luke's Rehabilitation, November 2014 - February 2015

Using Music and Role-playing Games to help Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury patients recoveries.

 

Hawke Speaking at ZoeCon II (Filming The Gamers 3: Hands of Fate)

Youtube Video available here: http://youtu.be/TRzPz_y3Wl4

I was asked to speak at ZoeCon II, the creators of The Gamers, Journey, and other great shows.

 

 

 

Washington State Department of Health Registration as Recreational Therapist

 

 

 

 

 

 

HIV / AIDS / Bloodbourne Pathgen Certification, October 2014

 

 

Mental Health First Aid, April 2014

 

Hawke as Pirate #2 in The Gamers 3: Hands of Fate movie:

 

 

 

 

Merlyn's Late Night Gaming Jun 2014 through September 2015

Downtown Spokane, WA.

Participant in wheelchair, population: Cerebral Palsy.

 

 

 

July 2014, Tolkien Moot

 

 

 

EWU LARP Program for Toddlers with ASD diagnosis Cooperative Quest - February - April, 2014

Eastern Washington University, Research Program Pilot.

 

 

 

 

Online Panel: March 26, 2014 - LARP as a Form of Therapy

 

 

 

2013

 

 

Worlds of Beru Google Hangout - November 2012 - 2013

Includes to comics from Seattle's Jet City Improv, Joe & Kesan.

 

 

 

 

 July 2012

 

July 2012

 

July 2012

 

July 2012

 

July 2012, Spokane.

 

 

 

2011

 

 

Cooperative Video Gaming

December 19th, 2011

 

 

 

Ramada Suites, 2011

 

2011

 

2011

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

2010

Tolkien Moot Youth Table #1, At Monroe location, Spokane, WA.

2010

Tolkien Moot Youth Table #2

 

2010

Tolkien Moot Adult Table #2

 

2010

 

2010

 

2010

2010

 

 

 

 

2009

Tolkien Moot table #5 At AppleTree Inn, Spokane, WA

 

 

 

 

 

2008

TolkienMoot at Division Street location, Spokane, WA

 

 

 

2007

 

March 7, 2007. Hillyard, Northeast Youth Center (NEYC) - Fantastic Fun For All - Extreme Medieval Sports

Hillyard District, Spokane, Washington. At-risk youth program.

 

Hawke's "Lance-A-Lot" Joust.

 Lord Wiezel, of Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), letting youth try on armor.

 

Hawke with Professor Barb Brock, Eastern Washington University (EWU), 2007

 

 

Eastern Washington University Recreation Classmates (and Hawke with Sword) at NYEC

 

 

 

MerpCon III / TolkienMoot 2007

Hawke as GM at table #1 of 3.

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

RPG Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

Merlyn's, MerpCon I / Tolkien Moot I, Spokane

 

2005

 

 

2005

Hawke as GM.

 

2005

Hawke as GM, with co-GM, published author, Professor Chris Seeman (standing)

 

 2005

Hawke as GM.

 

Spokane County Library, Hawthorne

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

Eastern Washington University Essay - Overview History & Potential Benefits of Role-Playing Games, September

PDF Version: http://www2.rpgresearch.com/documents/rpg-research-project/archives/pdf/rpgr-a00001-overview-history-and-therapeutic-value.pdf/view

 

 

1987

Summer RPG Convention by Hawke Robinson - Millcreek Library, Salt Lake City, Utah

~50 participants - AD&D 1st Edition

 

 

 

1986

Summer RPGA Convention by Hawke Robinson - Holladay Library, Holladay, Utah

12 participants - AD&D 1st Edition

 

 

1984 / 1985

~1984/5 - Realms of Inquiry, A School for Gifted & Talented Children, Sugarhouse, Utah

Trying to track down anything from this long ago.

 

 

1983

~1983 - 8 Page Essay on Role-playing Games - Myth & Reality

 

 

1979 through 1988 - Lost Packer Mine

In addition to many life skills as paid worker as young as 9 years old, ran role-playing games for the miners (much older) none had played before. They still talk about it decades later as a distinctive and memorable experience.

 

 

 

 RPG Research Logo (Current)

 

 

RPG Research Logo (older)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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