We're at the local hobby/gaming story, Merlyn's in Spokane, playing the brand new 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons (aka D&D Next).
Here is an example of how pervasive the inculcation of misinformation and myths of negative stereotypes about role-playing gamers has become in the united states.
Here is another example of how pervasive the inculcation of misinformation, myths, and negative stereotypes about role-playing gamers has become in the united states. This person believed D&D caused her relative to commit a double homicide (mother and unborn child) in Idaho, "she thought his (in her view) 'addiction to D&D led to his killing them'".
Since this has been a fairly lively discussion when I have brought it up on rpg.net and geekandsundry.com forum, I thought I'd perform a brief search on current articles and discussions related to role-playing game and gamer social stigma. This is just a quick list for further research and discussion...
Why is WotC spreading out the release of the Players Handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Monster Manual over several months, rather than releasing those core components in the same month??? They are making a free PDF of the Basic set available for download, but the initial download will only be a basic Players Handbook, with no rules to actually run a game. They are planning to emulate the online gaming world's "Free to Play" approach. They will be releasing future free basic versions of the rules via PDF that will include some rules for play, and then also staggering the release of the hardcovers. Internal Correspondence reports the release dates for many of the new D&D products that Wizards of the Coast has announced for the Summer, beginning in July.
Join the discussion with the panel regarding the therapeutic uses of role-playing gaming, especially LARP (Live-Action Role-Playing). Featuring Dr. Sarah Bowman, Hawke Robinson, Chris Shell, and Jamie Metzger, hosted by Kristin Brumley. Additional details below...
Here is a status update on some projects from the past month developing tabletop and live-action role-playing games for use as educational and therapeutic intervention modalities for autism spectrum adults.
Part 1 in a series of reviews of the new D&D 5th Edition (previous D&D Next) Players Handbook (PHB). After the terrible 4th edition, how does 5th edition compare? Same, better, or worse?
This is an early prototype version. There are newer, more complete and updated, versions created since this article was posted years ago. This is useful for various populations and professionals from other disciplines wishing to teach participants how to find and use civic resources (police, fire department, doctor, hospital, theater, etc.). This program is based on work at Eastern Washington University with oversight by Professor Emily Messina and others. It has been repeated with similar success when used other groups in private practice through non-profit RPG Research and the for-profit RPG Therapeutics LLC since.
This is an early prototype version. There are newer, more complete and updated, versions created since this article was posted years ago. This is useful for various populations and professionals from other disciplines wishing to teach participants how to find and use civic resources (police, fire department, doctor, hospital, theater, etc.). This program is based on work at Eastern Washington University with oversight by Professor Emily Messina and others. It has been repeated with similar success when used other groups in private practice through non-profit RPG Research and the for-profit RPG Therapeutics LLC since.
A lot has happened over the past several months, and there is actually a backlog developing, so I thought I would take a minutes to organize the backlog, update folks on what has been completed, and look ahead to what is coming down the pipe. If there is anything I forgot to include, please let me know so I can integrate it into this article. Many of the items in the queue might unfortunately be stuck until the summer holiday from university. Consider this also my public TODO list...
What do you think is a reasonable baseline for "safe" RPG participation? With different populations, when is there "too much of a good thing"? Do you have any anecdotes, or better yet research data that validates any particular stance? I am slowly building up the background for extensive research on the potential therapeutic uses of role-playing games in various formats (tabletop, live-action, computer-based) for various populations (TBI, PTSD, Autism-spectrum, LD's, etc.), with the assumption that there is potential benefit. But what are the potential risks?
A walk down a path of RPG nostalgia / history, Wizards of the Coast has reprinted the original D&D white book set, and bundled it in a wooden box with dice. Here you will find many photos of the unboxing process with a few comments, and a comparison my ancient original of one of the the Blackmoor supplement...
Due to excessively strict NDA of the organization, I am very limited in what I can post, but letting those following the RPG Research, beginning working with autism-spectrum toddlers today from a recreation therapy approach, and developing an activity program that is LARP (Live-Action Role-Playing) quest-style for this population group, that we will actually implement in the next few weeks.
Here are two mockups of covers for the hypothetical RPG RT Handbook of Practice...
Which of these three book cover mockups do you prefer (hypothetically of course)...
Just received this reprint of the ultimate in retro / nastalgic role-playing gaming, the Original D&D in a full box set.
Date: Sat Sep 14 14:15:21 2013 - Dear colleagues, Following the posting of the Call for Papers for the abovementioned special issue of the Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, several prospective authors have enquired as to what constitutes a 'massive' number of learners for the purposes of the special issue.....
Join the RPG Research Email discussion list. Some people find it easier to discuss complex topics via email. We have setup such an option for you if you wish...
Timothe Loya served six years as a U.S. Marine, also serving in Iraq, and has proposed using tabletop role-playing games to treat returning veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.
I was asked via email, by Mark Lee of Charles Sturt University, Australia, to spread the word about their call for papers. Please take a look and spread the word to those you think might be interested.
Co-location facility is moving my servers from one rackspace to another. This is taking place August 26th, around 6:00 pm (Pacific Time), so all sites and domain emails will be offline during that transition. you can still contact me via the gmail account and my cell of course. Thank you for your patience.
Over the past few months, I've developed a little bit of a backlog on some of the TODO items for RPG Research, here is a short summary of the items I am hoping to catch up over the next few weeks...
I was concerned I was in trouble with the gender-bias questionnaires, the WA State IRB seems to not think so...
Without analysis commentary, here are just a few raw numbers of interest. Actual analysis still pending down the road...
I have learned a lot the past few weeks about something called the "Institutional Review Board" (IRB) process. Looking into different IRB options There is still a LOT more I am learning about the topic. As I progress through this, I thought I would keep some notes here on the experiences, both for future reference for myself, and as a heads up for others that might be running into similar challenges...
Representatives from RPG Research will be at Spocon throughout the weekend in Spokane, Washington performing research, this August 9th through 11th.
I will be at Spocon throughout the weekend in Spokane, Washington performing research...
RPG Research First Public Meeting, August 3rd 1:00 pm (Pacific) - The Role-Playing Gaming Research Project will be having their first public discussion meeting on the therapeutic and educational effects of role-playing games on participants. This will be both in-person, and simulcast live over the Internet from the Tolkien and gaming convention, TolkienMoot IX....
Be sure to join Michael Martinez, Hawke Robinson, and special guest Professor Chris Seeman for the 50th episode of Middle-earth Talk, broadcast live from Tolkien Moot IX, Sunday, August 4th, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Pacific Time. Live Broadcast of Middle-earth Talk Episode 50 - August 4th at 5:00 pm Pacific Time. Don't miss the 50th episode of Middle-earth Talk, with special guest Professor Chris Seeman, live at Tolkien Moot IX!
