Can Dungeons and Dragons Replace Therapy? How Roleplaying Games Support Mental Health
November 8, 2024
Dale Critchley speaks with Alyssia Merrick, a PhD candidate researching the powerful effects of Dungeons & Dragons on mental health. Discover the surprising benefits that TTRPGs offer to players of all experience levels, from reduced anxiety to enhanced self-esteem and community building. Alyssia shares insights into her research, exploring how D&D can serve as a tool for self-discovery and resilience—without requiring a therapist’s couch. Whether you’re a skeptical newcomer or a seasoned veteran, this episode uncovers new ways to engage with D&D for personal growth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=523AnLjFJa8
Alyssia Merrick (BPsych Hons) is a PhD candidate located at James Cook University, Townsville. Their research primarily focuses on the impacts of play on adults, with a particular focus on the employment of tabletop gaming as an intervention for wellbeing.
00:00 – Fantasy Characters as Therapy? 00:11 – Tabletop Games with Purpose: Introducing Andovir’s Gods 01:14 – Why We Created a New Class: Meet the Ardent 03:10 – Interview Introduction: Alyssia Merrick 05:00 – Beyond Entertainment: How TTRPGs Support Mental Health 08:13 – Research Findings: Mental Health Improvement After 8 Weeks 10:57 – Character Creation as Self-Exploration 11:29 – Surprising Results: New vs Veteran Player. 13:46 – TTRPGs in the Bigger Picture of Wellness 17:08 – Psychological Theories at Play: Flow and Self-Determination 19:26 – Could D&D Improve Your Next Office Meeting? 21:05 – Trauma, Personified: Combatting Personal Demons Through Play 21:58 – Alyssia’s Three Wishes for TTRPGs 25:48 – For New Players: Drop the Guard, Dive In 28:24 – For Veterans: Foster Mental Health through Play 30:17 – Ongoing Projects: Bringing Game Therapy to a Global Scale 33:40 – Where to Connect with Alyssia 35:06 – Thanks and Farewell
Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.
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WotC’s PHB 2024: Hit or Miss on Disability & Diversity?
November 8, 2024
How exciting! Take a look at that screenshot from the preview video for the Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Players Handbook (PHB)! They’re showing a picture of a character in a wheelchair and talking about new ways to customize your character!
So I talked to some of my friends who got advance copies and asked them how the 2024 PHB handled disability inclusion! “There’s nothing there.” Is there maybe a wheelchair in the equipment section?! “No, nothing like that.”
Really?
Today, I looked for myself to see whether they missed something. I searched the D&D Beyond version for anything that might reveal an overlooked section. Nothing. That video was poorly planned at best and completely misleading at worst.
Roll for Racism
But it doesn’t stop there. Because WotC (admirably) wanted to remove terms like half-elf and half-orc due to problematic racist connotations, they removed all rules for creating any character of mixed ancestry. They could have included an adapted variation of the custom lineages from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything as a paragraph or two instead, but they didn’t, so the 2024 core rules allow only pureblood people groups, effectively gamifying miscegenation laws.
GM: “A Hadozee and Tanis Pureblood-Elven walk into the tavern….”
OK, but what about neurodivergence?
Neurodiversity gets even less authentic representation than physical disabilities in games and other media, but WotC showed their (one-time) commitment to this by introducing Asteria in the Book of Many Things, their first autistic character. But sadly, their ADHD representation wasn’t as accurate.
With ability scores, the PHB suggests, “Once you’ve assigned your ability scores, give some thought to what those scores might say about your character’s appearance and personality.” It includes suggestions for high and low scores, but the only remotely neurodivergent trait included, “Fidgety,” is listed under High Dexterity. I can tell you as a fidgety guy with ADHD, Dexterity is my dump stat. Clumsiness is a common trait for ADHD, so if that was an attempt at subtle inclusion, they did not hit the necessary DC for a success.
But not a critical fail
That said, they did make some improvements.
Why can’t we see art like this in the PHB?
Artwork copyright Kii W – https://twitter.com/kiichan – used with permission.
The artwork includes a vast range of demographics, showing far more diversity than ever, although still no body differences like face differences, body proportion differences, or pigmentation varieties such as vitiligo. The inclusion of disabled characters in the artwork is commendable, even if it’s a picture that lacks 1000 words that should explain them.
Common Sign Language has been added to the common languages list.
But if I could get them to include one subtle change, one Limited Wish, it would be the inclusion of this sentence, which does appear in the 2024 PHB:
Many effects impose a condition, a temporary state that alters the recipient’s capabilities.
Conditions like Blinded, Deafened, and Paralyzed have often been used to represent the permanent experiences of blindness, deafness, and paralysis, but we have argued that conditions in 5e, in spite of the problematic images in the 2014 PHB (Thanks for removing those!), are designed to represent temporary circumstances, not the permanent disabilities we encounter and experience in the real world. WotC finally codified that.
This is a critical inclusion. This clarifies that disabilities are more complex than rolling with disadvantage. It hints that disabilities are nonbinary spectrums. It removes the insinuation that people can’t learn to adapt to their disabilities and even thrive with them.
Yeah, I’m probably reading too much into that, but we’ll take our victories where we can get them and use them to ascend yet another step in an inaccessible world.
We are still in Initiative, and it’s our turn.
Limited Time DnD 5E Campaign Expansion Pack
November 8, 2024
Discover New Realms with Our Limited-Time Bundle!
Elevate your Dungeons & Dragons 5E campaigns with a treasure trove of new content! This limited-time bundle on DriveThruRPG brings together exciting titles from multiple publishers. Get incredible value and fresh adventures for your table. For a limited time, you can get this amazing collection at a significant discount.
Total Value: $32.37
Special Bundle Price: $17.77
Savings: $14.60 (45%)
Included Titles:
Maze of Mezeria for 5e by Earl of Fife Games
A thrilling 53-page adventure filled with labyrinthine secrets and survival challenges, best for 1st or 2nd level characters.
Features new adversaries, a fully keyed map, and fatigue mechanics to test your players.
Stoneharbor (Andovir Atlas) by Wyrmworks Publishing
A vibrant port city that integrates accessibility and diverse cultures, perfect for any campaign world.
Includes adventure hooks, new ancestries, backgrounds, and NPCs to enrich your stories.
Cavern Crawl #047 – Vein Vengeance (5e) by Grim Press
A 4th-level adventure featuring new monsters, magic items, and detailed battle maps.
Perfect for a party of four to six players.
Asger Earthsculptor — People of the Vale by T.M. van Dalen RPG
Focuses on a wizard obsessed with earth magic, including a unique encounter and exploration-focused mini-boss battle.
Into the Paper World: Ashcan Edition by Echidna Design
A whimsical and dark setting inspired by forgotten creative works, featuring new monsters, magic items, and adventure hooks.
Siege of the Silver Stag (5e) by Scoundrel Game Labs
A horror survival one-shot where players must withstand waves of zombies while managing NPC interactions.
Don’t Miss Out!
This bundle is an unbeatable way to inject fresh life into your campaigns with diverse adventures and rich settings. Whether you’re exploring the depths of a maze, navigating a bustling port city, or surviving a siege, this collection has something for every D&D 5E fan. Grab it now before it’s gone and bring new excitement to your gaming table!
Secrets of University of Chicago’s #DnD English Teaching | Gaining Advantage 039
November 8, 2024
In this episode, we explore using tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) for language learning. Shane Dunkle, a Language Pedagogy Specialist at the University of Chicago, shares his research on assessing English proficiency through board games and TTRPGs like D&D.
Discover how these games create an engaging environment for practicing real-world communication skills, from mastering idioms to navigating social cues. Shane reveals strategies for convincing skeptical faculty and his vision for embracing TTRPGs as a mainstream educational tool.
0:00 Opening 0:10 Exclusive Charity Offer Reveal – How Your Purchase Can Change Lives 2:49 Meet the Gamer Turned Innovative Educator Revolutionizing Language Learning 4:06 Traditional vs Game-Based Teaching: The Authenticity Showdown 18:26 From Munchkin to Murderhobo: Navigating the RPG Classroom Transition 21:31 Mastering Real-World Interactions Through In-Game Role-Play 28:34 Student Resistors vs Faculty Skeptics: Overcoming Unconventional Hurdles 33:51 Three Wishes to Transform Language Education Worldwide 35:45 The Recipe for Educators: Embracing Unorthodox Methods That Work 40:47 Convincing the Naysayers: A Manifesto for Embracing Gaming in Academics 42:34 Behind the Scenes: Upcoming Pedagogical Playground Projects 44:47 Your Doorway to Immersive Language Learning Resources
Run a #TTRPG for 100+ players at once with Crowdplay
November 8, 2024
What’s the ideal number of players for a TTRPG game? Five or six? What about dozens? Or hundreds?
What if you wanted to run a Dungeons and Dragons 5e game for hundreds of players, most of whom have never played a TTRPG, all at the same time?Introducing Crowdplay, a solution that allows presenters to run immersive encounters for dozens or even hundreds simultaneously!
What is Crowdplay?
Crowdplay is simplified, streamlined system for teaching D&D 5e basics through shared narrative encounters. A presenter explains the game and uses “Table GMs” to facilitate the encounter. A Table GM needs no experience with Dungeons & Dragons or other tabletop roleplaying games. The Crowdplay system uses simplified rules that anyone can use without experience.
Key features:
Designed for large groups of any experience level
Focuses on core TTRPG mechanics: Ability Checks, Initiative, Advantage/Disadvantage, and, for some extra fun, critical successes and failures!
Built on 5e to prepare players for full 5e play
Demonstrates that experience is not necessary to have fun as a Dungeon Master
Can be used in-person, online, or both at the same time
It’s free to download and use
Teach TTRPGs Anywhere!
We designed Crowdplay to answer the question, “What is Dungeons & Dragons?” through a fun interactive demonstration. We tested it at a non-gamer event with 100 players, including 6–8 attending via Zoom. 5–6 total attendees had ever played a TTRPG before, and we updated the design based on that test.
We designed the final product to be usable in nearly any setting, such as:
Business Conferences
Family Reunions
Motivational Speaker events
Classrooms
Neighborhood Barbecues
Gaming Conventions
Tween Birthday Parties and Slumber Parties
Church Youth and/or Family Events
Those times when a horde of kobolds invade your home looking for entertainment (As we’ve all experienced!)
A Little Problem: Examine the Kit
This all-in-one resource includes all of the files you need to run a Crowdplay game:
Presenter’s guide PDF with tips for facilitating Crowdplay sessions.
PowerPoint presentation file to visually set up the narrative and mechanics.
Pregenerated character sheets representing a wide range of diverse heroes to demonstrate the limitless character possibilities that tabletop games offer
Comprehensive Table GM guide for coordinating the encounter in person and across multiple “virtual tables” using apps like Zoom, with insider info on enemies, adjudicating ability checks, initiative chart, encounter management chart, and more.
An escort mission with an encounter facing hostile goblins, including multiple possibilities for success.
Is D&D a Secret Architect of Global Culture? | Gaining Advantage 038
November 8, 2024
This episode explores the cultural significance and far-reaching influence of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) through an insightful interview with Premeet Sidhu and José Zagal, editors of the book “50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons.” It offers insights into how the iconic tabletop RPG has influenced various aspects of global culture, from gaming and entertainment to education and beyond.
The discussion covers D&D’s historical roots, examining its evolution from a niche hobby to a mainstream phenomenon. Sidhu and Zagal shed light on the game’s unexpected crossovers with diverse fields, such as interactive storytelling, solo journaling, and educational applications.
Key points covered include:
The book’s approach to celebrating D&D from a scholarly yet accessible perspective
Surprising insights into the game’s evolution, such as the progression of combat systems
D&D’s influence on other media and how it has been influenced by culture in turn
The game’s potential in education and fostering critical thinking
Speculative discussions on D&D’s future, including the role of AI and emergence as a mainstream entertainment genre
We explore the connections between language, masculinity, and tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) experiences with sociologist Dr. Steven Dashiell. He studies language in male-dominated spaces like gaming conventions.
We discuss how language use, rules lawyering, gamesplaining, and off-topic conversations (metadiscourse) at gaming tables can create barriers. These reinforce masculine norms and potentially alienate players from underrepresented groups. Dr. Dashiell shares research on gendered speech patterns, the historical invisibility of women TTRPG players, and the challenges that women face asserting themselves without seeming overly aggressive.
The conversation also covers the benefits of increased gender diversity in TTRPGs. Dr. Dashiell explains how bringing your authentic self enriches the gaming experience for all. He offers insights for designers to create more welcoming, inclusive spaces.
Whether new or experienced with TTRPGs, this episode provides a valuable perspective on building a more equitable gaming culture.
00:00 Welcome and intro 00:21 Accessible character sheet for print & reading disabilities 00:56 Ready-to-Roll: Fairweather Friends D&D adventure Kickstarter 01:29 Interview with Dr. Steven Dashiell sociology of language 04:57 Gender representation in TTRPG spaces 06:24 Metadiscourse and inside references 07:21 Masculine language and behavior in gaming 08:18 Rules lawyering and excluding players 12:14 Gamesplaining 14:51 Historical gender erasure of women gamers 16:12 Benefits of diversity in tabletop RPGs 18:26 Murderhobo 25:08 Charisma in D&D and its effect on inclusion 28:36 Male dominance in D&D 31:33 Bringing your authentic self to gaming table 41:40 Designing more inclusive TTRPGs 50:32 Gendered guilt when missing game sessions 52:01 Jerks and toxic behavior study 57:31 Support Inclusive Gaming
