Tabletop Randomness

[TheMix]

Sadly, I am 58.

Ah. For some reason I thought you were a year or two younger than me.

Edit: Top of page context

[hepcat]

No, I just have he maturity level of someone much younger than I really am.

[Holman]

No, I just have he maturity level of someone much younger than I really am.

And the hair of a 21-year-old!

Spoiler:

in a baggie in the freezer...

[hepcat]

Sadly, I have the bald spot of a man of 58 years of age.

[Smoove_B]

You know who's turning 50 and doesn't have a bald spot? Dungeons and Dragons:

The first edition of tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons was released 50 years ago this year.

Since then, the game’s publisher, Wizards of the Coast, estimates that over 50 million people have played.

And it’s changed a lot since 1974. It was a pastime of nerds in the ‘80s and in part fueled the “Satanic Panic,” a time when concerned parents and news outlets linked the game teen killings and witchcraft.

It’s become more mainstream after featuring in Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things. It also made its way to the big screen multiple times since 2000, most recently with 2023’s Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

During the pandemic, it became a popular way for friends to stay connected through virtual campaigns held on Zoom or on ‘virtual tabletop’ websites like Roll20. NBC reported that D&D product sales rose 33% in 2020.

That momentum continued after lockdown into 2023, as Baldur’s Gate 3, a video game based on D&D, exploded in popularity, reaching over half a million concurrent players at its peak in September of 2023. It went on to win Game of the Year.

The rest of the article is shared stories from five different people about how D&D was/is part of their lives.

[Blackhawk]

It’s become more mainstream after featuring in Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things.

I think they're underestimating the impact that Critical Role had on the resurgence of D&D.

[Smoove_B]

Yes, but also no. What I mean is that it absolutely helped increase interest, but at the same time it also increased interest in a specific type of D&D play. I have nothing against Matt Mercer or the CR crew, but the way they play is alien to me; they're actors playing a game. I'm not saying it's not genuine, but they're playing to entertain an audience. If I ever played a D&D game like that in private, I'd be exhausted and I don't think it would be enjoyable.

I do think (but can't prove) that Critical Role is partially responsible for the insane demand there now is for DMs but that no one can seem to find one. I think players (new? old?) are expecting a typical D&D session to look and feel like Critical Role and that's not something many (most?) DMs are capable of encouraging or creating.

I think Stranger Things sorta reminded everyone what their first D&D game was probably like and for those that never played as kids or teens, showed them what it most likely was like.

[baelthazar]

Sadly, I am 58.

Wait, what?! What are we doing for your big 6-0?

[TheMix]

Sadly, I am 58.

Wait, what?! What are we doing for your big 6-0?

Vegas trip, obviously!
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Where we will grab the early bird dinner special between sessions of board gaming in the hotel room....

[Isgrimnur]

I hear there's a number of boardgame conventions in large cities.

[hepcat]

When I hit 60 I’m going straight to Golden Coral. Where I’ll apply prison yard rules to establish my dominance. I’ll march up to the largest senior there and knock him( or her) flat cold. This will ensure that I get my choice of seating during that crucial 3 o’clock early bird special period from that point forward.

….I mean, it worked for me in daycare.

[Zarathud]

hepcat will be at GenCon. Come for dinner with the hepcat, and play some games!

[hepcat]

"Who's that old guy with the cane and the torn up copy of Pax Renaissance II screaming at the kids to dress more appropriately!?"

"That's hepcat. Don't make eye contact or he'll....ah shit, too late, here he comes!"

[hepcat]

Happy Halloween!

[Blackhawk]

I cosplayed that at GenCon!