Dragons in the Stacks MLA 2015
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This document provides an overview of role-playing games (RPGs) and their potential benefits and implementation in libraries. It discusses what RPGs are, different types of RPGs, parts of an RPG system, a brief history of RPGs, why RPGs could be useful in libraries, examples of free and popular RPGs to use, basics of preparing and running RPG programs, and ideas for expanding RPG offerings.
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Dragons in the Stacks MLA 2015
- 1. Dragons in the Stacks Role Playing Games in Libraries Maine Library Association 2015
- 3. What is an RPG A game in which players take on the roles of imaginary characters who engage in adventures, typically in a particular fantasy setting overseen by a referee. Source: OED
- 4. Varieties of RPGs Tabletop (Pen and Paper) - Dungeons and Dragons MMO - World of Warcraft MUD/MUX/MUSH PBEM Single player electronic - Final Fantasy LARP RPS - Mind’s Eye Theatre Boffer - Dagorhir
- 5. Parts of an RPG System - The rules of the game Character creation Task resolution Combat “Magic” Setting - The world the game takes place in
- 6. Brief History of RPGs
- 7. Early days Games derived solely from tabletop wargaming Braunstein (1967) Blackmoor (1971) Chainmail (1971) Dungeons and Dragons (1974)
- 8. Good Old Days Profusion of games and settings, strong emphasis on simulation “Real life” RuneQuest (1978) RoleMaster (1980) Genre Call of Cthulhu (1981) James Bond 007 (1983)
- 9. International Reach RPGs expand into other countries, either home grown or translations Drakar och Demoner (1982) Das Schwarze Auge (1984) Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (1986) Sword World (Japan, 1989)
- 10. Dark Times Emergence of “storytelling” games Ars Magica (1988) Vampire: the Masquerade (1991) Story games Sorcerer (2002)
- 11. Satanic Panic Began in the mid 1980s Moral panic over RPGs and the corruption of children BADD (Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons) Still residual misconceptions to this day Pulling Report Systematic dismantling of BADD’s arguments The Escapist Online source for gaming advocacy
- 12. Theory Wars Threefold Model Theory (GDS) Developed on Usenet to discuss “best” style of play Game - Balance, fairness Drama - Story, meaning, theme Simulation - Metagaming Evolved into GNS theory Knutepunkt conferences Held since 1997
- 13. Indie Revolution Open gaming Major companies issued open licences Indie games Advent of PDF and PoD publishing OSR Reimagining of older editions of games
- 14. Why RPGs in Libraries
- 15. Benefits to players RPGs reinforce considerable number of standards in Common Core Mathematics English Language Arts and Literacy
- 16. Mathematics Basic math on the fly Probabilities Literacy Lists of inspirational sources Reading to enrich game play “High Gygaxian”
- 17. Socialization Majority of games are cooperative Leadership skills Creativity Improvisation Player contribution to game Agency Controlled environment to explore situations Varying amounts of narrative control
- 18. RPG Programs
- 19. Free Games D&D Basic Rules Complete rules for core classes Risus Minimalist RPG Savage Worlds Test Drive Basic rules and accessories for Savage Worlds Fate Core or Fate Accelerated Edition Complete versions of both games
- 20. Free Games D6 System Complete game Prose Descriptive Qualities System Complete game
- 21. Game Selection Top Five Games based on sales 1.Dungeons and Dragons, 5th edition (Wizards of the Coast) 2.Pathfinder (Paizo Publishing) 3.Star Wars (Fantasy Flight Games) 4.Shadowrun (Catalyst Game Labs) 5.Iron Kingdoms (Privateer Press) Source: http://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/32097/top-5-roleplaying-games-spring-2015
- 22. Where to get the rest FLGS - Favorite Local Gaming Store Staff can provide advice on games Direct from Publisher Offer print and PDF bundles Online Print Booksellers Convenient for big publishers Online Electronic Booksellers PDFs, some PoD options
- 23. Basics Safety first Permission slips Visitors Advertising Promote program Word of mouth among teens
- 24. Preparation Group size Ideal: 4-6 players May need pre-generated characters and scenario First game Simple Short Self contained
- 25. Seven Player Types Player engagement The Power Gamer wants to make his character bigger, tougher, buffer, and richer. The Butt-Kicker wants to let off steam with a little old-fashioned vicarious mayhem. The Tactician is probably a military buff, who wants chances to think his way through complex, realistic problems, usually those of the battlefield. The Specialist favors a particular character type, which he plays in every campaign and in every setting. The Method Actor believes that roleplaying is a medium for personal expression, strongly identifying with the character he plays. The Storyteller, like the method actor, is more inclined to the roleplaying side of the equation and less interested in numbers and experience points. The Casual Gamer is often forgotten in discussions of this sort, but almost every group has one. Casual gamers tend to be low key folks who are uncomfortable taking center stage even in a small group. Source: Robin’s Laws of Good Gamemastering, p.4-5
- 26. Further Reading Print Dragons in the Stacks: a Teen Librarian’s Guide to Tabletop Role-Playing Robin’s Laws of Good Gamemastering Complete Trilogy: Focal Point, Odyssey, and Never Unprepared Online ENWorld (D&D and Pathfinder focused website) RPGnet (general RPG and gaming site) Gnome Stew (Game Mastering advice)
- 27. Growth Game length One shot - One session Convention games Short campaign - Six to eight sessions Published adventures Long campaign - Ten or more sessions Western Marches
- 28. Expansion Scheduling Run different groups of players at separate times Recruitment Allow participants to run games
- 29. Contact information Cason Snow Metadata Librarian/Cataloger University of Maine 207-581-1670
Editor's Notes
- #8: Braunstein - Napoleonic rule set with Diplomacy style negotiation between turns Blackmoor - Arneson’s fantasy adaptation of Braunstein, ported to Chainmail Chainmail - Medieval miniature warfare rules, D&D was variant that included monsters and magic