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Happy 40th Birthday, Dungeons & Dragons
SF Weekly ^ | Mon., Jan. 6 2014 | Mollie McWilliams

Posted on 01/09/2014 12:39:10 PM PST by nickcarraway

Its creation paved the way for the gaming world of today -- adding social elements and changing the definition of what constitutes a game. It led the way for World of Warcraft, Fable, Final Fantasy, and many more -- and it's turning 40 years old. Happy birthday, Dungeons & Dragons.

We're not part of the 20 million people who've put a player character into the game and rolled the polyhedral dice to see how the events of D&D unfold. We've never purchased any of the $1-billion worth of game merchandise sold over the last four decades, but we do know that D&D isn't over the hill.

For those unfamiliar with D&D, Jon Peterson, author of Playing at the World: A History of Simulating Wars, People and Fantastic Adventures, from Chess to Role-Playing Games says "D&D was the original, fantasy role playing game, [and other social games] incorporate principles D&D introduced, where a character gets better with experience."

Building a character in D&D requires strategy (think chess), time, and a little luck -- that depends on the person running the game, known as the Dungeon Master.

Curious about how the game is won, or at least how you determine it's over, Peterson explains, "Like life, you just get better -- until you don't."

If you've never played D&D, and want to give it a try, you're not alone -- the D&D website's main image is large text asking "New to D&D?" And Peterson points out it's easier than ever to connect with the gaming community, be it through the internet or a local gaming store like Games of Berkeley, which hosts D&D nights.

So why not? We'll try it.


TOPICS: Hobbies; The Hobbit Hole
KEYWORDS:
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To: nickcarraway
I played ONCE, just didn't find it worth my time.

Fast forward 20 years later, I'm working at Domino's, and half the crew, including the general manager, didn't show up.

I found out later there was a huge battle on World of Warcraft that night.

21 posted on 01/09/2014 3:24:27 PM PST by real saxophonist (The revolution will not be televised. Everything else will.)
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To: Ransomed

Gotcha. I was just referring to the novels as a stand alone, not their effect on gaming. I only read Chronicles, Legends, and The Legend of Huma (Knaak).

Take care.


22 posted on 01/09/2014 3:27:29 PM PST by EEGator
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To: real saxophonist
www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s10e08-make-love-not-warcraft
23 posted on 01/09/2014 3:31:49 PM PST by EEGator
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To: dragonblustar

It’s quite possible to grind your way to all the otherwise premium content....of course their business model is based on lazy people who seek instant gratification...people will pay for short cuts, extra content and extra goodies...


24 posted on 01/09/2014 7:00:34 PM PST by Crim (Palin / West '16)
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To: EEGator

Stealing? STEALING? What do you think I am, some kind of thief or something? I simply noticed it was misplaced, and, being the kind soul I am, wanted to keep it protected until I could return it safely to its rightful owner. Stealing, indeed.


25 posted on 01/10/2014 7:08:55 AM PST by SpinnerWebb (In 2012 you will awaken from your HOPEnosis and have no recollection of this... "Constitution")
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To: EEGator

One of the Kinders’ special abilities was TAUNT. I called Tanis a beardless, bastard half-man, son-of-a-rapist once.

That led to a physical altercation.


26 posted on 01/10/2014 7:11:59 AM PST by SpinnerWebb (In 2012 you will awaken from your HOPEnosis and have no recollection of this... "Constitution")
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To: SpinnerWebb

It’s easy to anger Caramon or Strum, but it takes talent to anger Tanis...kudos.


27 posted on 01/10/2014 7:29:48 AM PST by EEGator
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To: Crim
It’s also played live online...”DDO” ( Dungeon and dragons online) is a “free to play” download.


I've been happily playing DDO since 2010. Great fun, cheap entertainment. Sometimes I miss all the dice-rolling and character-sheet shuffling and doing math in my head, but DDO has been a wonderful time sink.

"Kobold still hate you!" Lol! :D
28 posted on 02/04/2014 8:11:01 AM PST by Horkster ("Money will buy most anything in this country - even a Muslim Communist Presidency." - RoadTest)
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