How Dungeons & Dragons Connects Different Generations

Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game that is experienced and enjoyed by a number of people. Different versions of this game have been released, but the core game-play has remained the same. Something good about this is that people, whether they have played older editions or not- can jump into the game. This leads to a variety of people playing, particularly across different generations.

As new people are introduced to the game, the player-base continues to shift and grow.

"Player-base wise, when you come into the store here, we've got like what, sometimes 20, 25 people in," said Chris McNish, local game master and player. "When I was playing in school it was only a handful of us that played. It was more secretive at the time. Mainstream-wise it's really grown."

Games can be used for learning moments. Google News brought up results for a story about a teacher named Sean Duncan. Duncan previously played D&D and has his students design physical games which often have a focus on resource management. Games like this and D&D can help people understand what they are trying to simulate.

Besides resource management, games like this can also be used for teaching morals to younger players. Google Scholar uncovered an article titled "Imaginative Role-Playing as a Medium for Moral Development." This article discussed a study which was undertaken  than showed how games such as this helped students by acting as a 'moral training ground' in which to practice and develop these skills.

D&D allows people of all ages to play together on the same level.
Erin Harris

Many players that grew up playing earlier additions now have children who they are able to introduce to the game. Besides being able to use it for teaching purposes, it can also be used for bonding moments as well.

"My dad and his coworkers used to have board-game nights, and I heard 'board-game night,' so as soon as I was old enough to go, like 12, I would go," said Zachary Travis, local game master and player. "I got to go with my dad, and he talked to me like an adult and we'd get to stay out until four or five a.m. D&D was the biggest one because I got to paint my own mini, I got to make my own character, we'd go to the used bookstore and find me copies of the books."

When people play as their characters, it allows them to escape
from themselves and think like a different person.
Erin Harris

Imagination is something that can speak to people of all ages, helping to connect generations despite other differences that they may have. Google Advanced Search discovered the article "40 years later, 'Dungeons & Dragons' still inspiring players." This article looked at how D&D continued to spread its influence today, even in area such as video games. Official D&D video games have been released, which often encourage players to work together to overcome problems.

Howard Fisher, chairperson of the Department of Communication at the University of Scranton, had some insight into this as well. He uses D&D for bonding time not only with his daughter, but with his mother as well.

When  people can play games together across generations,
it allows them to forge stronger bonds.
Erin Harris

"It is father/daughter bonding time for us. We even managed to wrangle in my mother to play a bit of a dungeon with me and my daughter when she was visiting this past summer, and they both still talk about that experience, laughing about it and telling stories of their great adventure," said Fisher. "I see social media groups all the time that are advertising gaming guilds; some of the gaming stores in Scranton have sessions that include people of all ages, at least according to the Meet-Up groups I follow."

Joey Castellanos, Heath Springs resident and game master, felt that the core idea surrounding the game-play was what helped it to connect players."It helps connect because no matter the age, people can help tell a story together," Castellanos said. "D&D changes, but the core part of the game always stays the same. Explore, socialize, and slay dragons."

Information found on https://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/wotcdemo.html