I’m excited to announce that Teresa and I will be attending Gamehole Con in Madison, WI on Friday, October 20th! It’s been quite a while since my last con experience, back in the 80s at Gen Con in Milwaukee when I was in high school. We’re looking forward to checking it out.
We’re thrilled at the prospect of meeting lots of fellow gamers, creators, and fans. Gamehole Con is known for its welcoming community, and we can’t wait to be a part of it.
Our plan for the day is to wander around the convention, exploring the various vendors, and, most importantly, connecting with fellow attendees. From mid-morning until around 5 p.m., we’ll be soaking in the atmosphere, checking out all the fantastic offerings, hopefully catching a seminar, and getting to know some of the incredible people who make the TTRPG world so awesome.
If you’re at Gamehole Con too, please do come and say hello. We’d love to get to know you!
Gaining Advantage 032: The Secret to Unlocking Boundless Creativity: Tabletop RPGs for Kids with Steph from TTRPGKids
October 13, 2023
In this episode, Dale speaks with Steph from TTRPGKids.com about using tabletop RPGs to nurture creativity and connection with kids.
Before we get to the interview, here are a few updates:
We’ll be at Gamehole Con on Friday – come say hi if you’re there!
We’re releasing free weekly encounters for our upcoming Limitless Champions Adventures Kickstarter. Get them by joining our email list.
Check out our new disabled_dungeons community on Lemmy after the Reddit shutdown.
Due to GameHole Con, there won’t be a weekly adventure next week.
Do you want to ignite your child’s imagination? Our guest Steph from TTRPGKids shares how tabletop RPGs can transform family dynamics and nurture creativity in kids.
Reddit Alternative: A Response to Reddit’s Accessibility Hostility
October 13, 2023
D&D is turn-based, but there comes a point when you can’t wait any longer and take action.
I was one of the mods over at r/disabled_dungeons, and we had a promise to keep. If Reddit didn’t change its ways, I vowed to find a new alternative community for everyone there, and if I couldn’t find one, I’d create one. Well, the time has come.
Reddit’s Accessibility Puzzle
This past summer, Reddit made changes, like setting an impossible cost on their API, which basically banished many third-party Reddit apps. Some of these apps were like magic items, offering better accessibility options that made our community more inclusive. In response, like many subs, r/disabled_dungeons went dark (private) in protest. Reddit doubled down and forced many subs to reopen, removing existing owners and mods and replacing them.
Our New Quest on Lemmy
In the face of these challenges, we decided it was time to embark on a new adventure, a quest for a more accessible and inclusive home. We found Lemmy, a federated Reddit alternative that’s more aligned with our values.
At this new community, we encourage people to find what access tools work for them. You can expect the same supportive community there with opportunities to make friends and share your adventures.
Join the Party on Lemmy
We invite you to join us and continue the mission of making TTRPGs accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Your wisdom and insights are our greatest treasures on this journey.
Now, here’s the exciting part. Our Discord remains a private sanctuary for our patrons and the talented freelancers who bring our products to life. But this new community is an open tavern where you can chat about our creations and all the fantastic products from other companies that champion accessibility and representation.
Top 10 Reasons to Click the Button: Limitless Champions Adventures: DnD 5e + Disability Representation
October 13, 2023
We have exciting news! The pre-launch page for Limitless Champions Adventuresis live! We’ve got a groundbreaking Kickstarter campaign on the horizon, and here are the top 10 reasons why you should click that “Notify Me” button right away:
Historic Inclusivity: Be part of history by supporting the first-ever published collection of D&D Adventures featuring a wide variety of disabilities represented. Join the movement for a more inclusive gaming world! Click here to get notified 👈
You get to push the button! Unlike the elevator buttons where you had to take turns with your siblings to push them, you can push this one yourself without waiting! Push it now! Don’t wait your turn! 🔘👈
Versatile Adventures: These adventures can be used in any campaign world and at any 5e table. Whether you’re exploring the urban sprawl, braving the arctic tundra, scaling mountain peaks, wandering enchanted forests, or spelunking in dark caves, we’ve got you covered. Now you have my attention!
Free Adventure for Early Backers! Get a free bonus horror mystery adventure, The Insiders, if you back it for any reward tier within the first 48 hours of launching. I don’t want to miss out!
Cards and Handouts: Dive deeper into the adventures with tarot-sized character and encounter cards and immersive handouts. It’s all about the details! What a great deal! (Catch what I did there? 🃏)
Digital Options: We’ve got you covered in the digital realm too! Access our adventures in PDF and other accessible digital formats like plain text, audio, and ePub for easy integration into your campaigns, and all copies include downloadable 4K digital maps for every encounter. I am proficient in clicking!
Miniature Add-Ons: Enhance your tabletop experience with miniatures available as add-ons, plus links to extra free downloadable STLs or low-cost printed miniatures to complete the adventures. Paint ‘em, display ‘em, and bring your adventures to life! Color me intrigued!
So, what are you waiting for? Click that “Notify Me” button, join our quest for limitless adventures, and help us make gaming more inclusive than ever before!
Then Dale talks with Aaron Trammell, Associate Professor of Informatics at UC Irvine, about improving representation for people of color in tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons.
Key topics covered:
How fantasy RPGs have historically lacked racial diversity and inclusion
Racial stereotypes associated with classic fantasy races like orcs
Colonialist attitudes reflected in fantasy language use
Steps publishers and designers can take to improve racial representation in RPG products
Making your gaming table welcoming for new and diverse players
Aaron provides insight into issues around race in RPGs, and offers suggestions for how the hobby can become more inclusive. This is an important discussion about seeing diversity reflected in the games we play.
0:00 Introduction: Asteria, the first canon autistic D&D character 6:10 Interview: Aaron Trammell, Associate Professor of Informatics at UC Irvine 54:21 Patreon Showcase & closing
Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.
Gaining Advantage 030: Interview with the Blind Paladin: Portraying Disabled Characters in DnD
October 13, 2023
Dale welcomes George McDermith, a talented gamer and the creative mind behind the character Orrelius from the Limitless Champions campaign. George’s perspective as a blind gamer offers valuable insights into inclusive gaming and the portrayal of disabled characters in Dungeons and Dragons. Discover the importance of authenticity, representation, and accessible gameplay in this enlightening conversation.
0:00 Introduction: Wyrm’s Workshop & Limitless Champions 06:27 Interview: George McDermith 29:10 Patreon Showcase & Closing
Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.
Small Miniatures, Big Impact: Disabled Dungeons and Dragons Miniatures Now Available
October 13, 2023
I keep seeing headlines like, “(Some name) becomes first Black/Latino/etc. (some respected position),” and every time, I think, “Wow, what year is it that this is the first time?” But besides women, disabled people are the largest marginalized demographic in the world. Their “firsts” are still rare. For most of those same positions, “…becomes first disabled…,” hasn’t happened yet.
But we tabletop gamers live in worlds filled with minotaurs and merfolk, halflings and centaurs, so we of all people should have no problem imagining people with diverse abilities in every segment of society. And yet we encounter fewer disabled people anywhere in TTRPG worlds than in executive real-world positions.
Disability representation in tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) fosters inclusive gaming environments. It creates a diverse and welcoming experience. Disabled miniatures enhance the overall storytelling and offer a more authentic and empathetic gaming experience. By incorporating disabled miniatures, RPGs acknowledge and validate the experiences of individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and breaking down barriers. Players with disabilities can recognize themselves reflected in the game, communicating belonging and empowerment.
I never see my condition represented in any media, and now, I’m in D&D!
A Limitless Heroics backer
Diverse miniatures featuring representative characters also broaden the narrative possibilities within TTRPGs. They allow players to explore different perspectives, experiences, and challenges that disabled characters may face. This not only enhances storytelling but also encourages empathy and understanding among players. This representation promotes dialogue, encourages education, and contributes to a culture of acceptance and respect.
Accessible Conditions
Most TTRPG content is still only available in paper or PDF, two of the least accessible formats for blind and low-vision players, especially watermarked PDF, which screen readers can’t access, and PDF without image alt text, which is common due to all layout software except Adobe InDesign refuses to include image alt text capability. For miniatures, condition rings may be color-coded or use embossed text, which gives the same accessibility issues.
So we offer plain text versions of our products and audio and ePub for most, plus the Lair, our online compendium that’s accessible to browser tools and screen readers and offers the most affordable option to access all of our content.
For miniatures, we’ve included condition monitors as bases that give visual and tactile indications of their meaning, and as bases, they’re easy to use—players just set the mini on the base. The bottom of each base also has a braille label as an additional accessibility measure.
Gaining Advantage 029: Finding Healing and Fun through TTRPGs: A Journey of Transformation with Bill Lemmond
October 13, 2023
Dale interviews Bill Lemmond, a passionate gamer and comic artist. Bill shares his personal story of how tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) have played a pivotal role in transforming his life, from finding joy and relaxation to overcoming depression and pursuing education. Discover the power of gaming to create a supportive community, foster creativity, and provide a much-needed escape. Join us as we explore the impact of TTRPGs on mental well-being and the importance of inclusivity and fun in gaming.
0:00 Introduction: Limitless Champions Update 01:35 Interview: Bill Lemmond 51:30 Patreon Showcase & Closing
Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.
Gaining Advantage 028: Vulnerability and Chronic Illness in Tabletop Roleplaying Games
October 13, 2023
Dale interviews Drew Wale about the Dretelia campaign setting, which is based on his chronic illness, and the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in creating meaningful and resonant tabletop roleplaying games. We discuss how drawing on personal experiences and emotions can help to create more engaging and immersive worlds, and how being open and honest about our own struggles can help to create a more welcoming and inclusive gaming community.
0:00 Introduction: Help caption the D&D cartoon 03:51 Interview: Drew Wale and Dretelia Campaign Setting 50:07 Patreon Showcase & closing
Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.
Reddit IPO: Reddit banishes the disabled community
October 13, 2023
reddit is killing 3rd-party Apps and API Access infographic (Click the image for full-size)
Reddit is preparing to go public, which means they need to demonstrate profit to potential stockholders. But profit and control comes at a cost, as we in the TTRPG community know all too well. Their recent API pricing changes have ignited a battle for equal access. It’s time to roll initiative once again.
Impact on the TTRPG Community
The TTRPG community thrives on collaboration, creativity, and diverse perspectives. Reddit has been a vital platform for building real-world adventuring parties of every kind. With the API pricing changes, the TTRPG community faces significant challenges:
Limited Customization: Third-party apps, like Apollo and Dystopia, have allowed TTRPG fans to personalize their Reddit experience like a homebrew fantasy world. These tools have facilitated streamlined access to TTRPG-specific subreddits, making it easier to find relevant discussions, game advice, and homebrew content.
Community Engagement: Third-party apps offer advanced features for interacting with Reddit, including real-time notifications, improved search functions, and intuitive interfaces. This gives TTRPG fans Advantage to engage in discussions, seek advice, and collaborate on projects.
Accessibility Barriers: Many TTRPG players with disabilities rely on third-party apps to overcome the accessibility Wall of Force in the official Reddit apps and interfaces. The loss of these apps will limit their ability to participate fully in TTRPG communities and access valuable resources.
Broader Impact on Disabled Individuals
While the TTRPG community is directly affected, it is essential to recognize that the API changes have an even greater impact on various disabled individuals:
Visually Impaired Community: Blind and visually impaired individuals heavily rely on third-party apps to access Reddit content through assistive technologies. These apps provide the necessary features for screen readers, alternative text, and other accessibility enhancements that enable equal participation.
Transcribers and Describers: Reddit is home to numerous volunteer groups dedicated to transcribing and describing images for alt text, making visual content accessible to individuals with visual impairments. The loss of third-party apps may hinder the crucial work of these groups, resulting in a significant loss of accessibility for the broader Reddit community.
Other Disability Communities: The API changes resonate beyond the visually impaired community. Individuals with motor disabilities, cognitive impairments, or other disabilities may also rely on third-party apps (or hope for new ones that give them better access) to navigate Reddit more efficiently and effectively. The loss of these apps would create additional barriers to access and participation for these individuals.
Unifying for Accessibility and Inclusion
To ensure that the TTRPG community and disabled individuals continue to thrive on Reddit, collective action is vital. By joining forces and advocating for accessibility, we can make a difference:
Amplify Voices: Share the stories and experiences of TTRPG players and disabled individuals affected by these API changes. Spread the word through your social circles like chain lightning.
Message Your Mods: Encourage the mods of your favorite subreddits to join the Blackout.
Seek Media Attention: This change comes on the heels of Reddit’s IPO announcement like a sycophantic imp chasing an arch-devil. Will potential stockholders want to support a company that has received media attention for knowingly making recent discriminatory choices?
It’s time to stand together to ensure that Reddit remains an inclusive platform for all, fostering creativity, collaboration, and accessibility within the TTRPG community and beyond.
