Words: Craig
Edits: Kyle
Happy birthday, Dungeons and Dragons!
I got a Basic Dungeons and Dragons starter box in 1981 when I was 10 years old. I was in awe! I wasn’t sure exactly what it was or how it worked but I was fascinated by it. It was like opening a treasure chest and finding what I hadn’t realized I had been looking for. Adventurers, treasures, traps, funky dice, undead, and of course, dungeons and dragons -all powered by my imagination. It would take several years of stops and starts before I finally figured out how to play with the help of what has become a life-long group of friends and adventurers.
Once considered a fringe, deviant game, played only by young nerdy, Satan worshipping males. Now Dungeons and Dragons has become part of mainstream popular culture. People from all walks of life openly play without fear of ridicule. In fact, when people nowadays find out that I play, I almost always get a ‘That’s so cool!’ or ‘I’ve always wanted to try that!’. References in shows like Stranger Things, The Big Bang Theory, Community, and an awesome 80’s cartoon (Dungeon Master anyone?) have helped to make it more mainstream. The structure of video games from life counters for players, first person shooter games, and MMO’s all owe their existence to Dungeons and Dragons. Celebrities who openly admit to playing and promote the game? Well, there is a growing list of those. In the 80’s you might get teased for playing this beautiful game. Not anymore. Who’s going to make fun of tough guys like Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Terry Crews or Joe Manganiello for playing? How about cool people like Deborah Ann Wohl, Aubrey Plaza, Vince Vaughn, Tom Morello, or Joseph Gordon-Levitt? Ta-Nehisi Coates? Rainn Wilson? Even Dame Judi Dench has played. Dungeons and Dragons players themselves have become celebrities. Matt Mercer and the Critical Role gang are famous for playing this wonderful game.
We started the Gods of the North Convention last year and it went very well. If we had tried this 20 years ago, I’m sure we would not have the same level of success. Today people play with old friends and new, in person and online, at school, gaming stores, conventions, community centres, military bases, and of course, in basements.
More and more people are craving genuine experiences. It doesn’t come more genuine than this. I’ve adored this game from the moment I set eyes on it. I’m happy the secret is out, and I couldn’t be happier to share the game I love with the rest of the world.
2 responses to “Happy 50th Anniversary D&D”
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