For context, I'm asking these questions for a class for a project that I'm doing. Here are a few of my questions if members of the community could clarify for me. What makes the D&D community unique? As a player of the game, why is it that you play? And is there an online space where you can watch D&D matches?
Just as an FYI, you way want to add this into your original thread as either an edit to the original post or just as a reply to it. Otherwise, this is probably going to end up pushed back where no one can see it.
(1) Dungeons and Dragons isn't necessarily unique among Table Top Roleplaying Games, but it represents one of the great attempts to gamify life and has had a large influence on much of what followed in video games and media.
(2) I play as a form of escapism and fantasy fulfilment, but mostly as a way to spend time with friends. D&D is a board game, it is collaborative storytelling, and it is infinite new worlds with their own culture, religions, cuisine, and rules to explore. In an ideal world, it is also a Life Simulator, where players can try things they wouldn't in the real world and overcome obstacles that would normally be too dangerous, and through the process grow as a person.
(3) D&D doesn't operate in "matches". It's a shared story. Some stories focus on combat, which can be taken in as bite-sized chunks, while others focus more heavily on roleplay, which has no real break points. The most popular online "shows" are Critical Role (with Matthew Mercer) and MCDM (With Matt Colville), however there are many others with celebrities, influencers, and regular players all over Youtube and Twitch.
You may be interested in the efforts of groups like RPG Research, which studies the therapeutic effects of RPGs.
For context, I'm asking these questions for a class for a project that I'm doing. Here are a few of my questions if members of the community could clarify for me. What makes the D&D community unique? As a player of the game, why is it that you play? And is there an online space where you can watch D&D matches?
Thanks so much.
Just as an FYI, you way want to add this into your original thread as either an edit to the original post or just as a reply to it. Otherwise, this is probably going to end up pushed back where no one can see it.
(1) Dungeons and Dragons isn't necessarily unique among Table Top Roleplaying Games, but it represents one of the great attempts to gamify life and has had a large influence on much of what followed in video games and media.
(2) I play as a form of escapism and fantasy fulfilment, but mostly as a way to spend time with friends. D&D is a board game, it is collaborative storytelling, and it is infinite new worlds with their own culture, religions, cuisine, and rules to explore. In an ideal world, it is also a Life Simulator, where players can try things they wouldn't in the real world and overcome obstacles that would normally be too dangerous, and through the process grow as a person.
(3) D&D doesn't operate in "matches". It's a shared story. Some stories focus on combat, which can be taken in as bite-sized chunks, while others focus more heavily on roleplay, which has no real break points. The most popular online "shows" are Critical Role (with Matthew Mercer) and MCDM (With Matt Colville), however there are many others with celebrities, influencers, and regular players all over Youtube and Twitch.
You may be interested in the efforts of groups like RPG Research, which studies the therapeutic effects of RPGs.