A Short History of Role-Playing Games

People have likely played games for as long as humanity has existed. Whether it’s games of chance, games of strategy, games of skill—or likely a little bit of each—we’re always up for a little friendly competition. But what about games of imagination? Though relatively new when compared to the vast history of activities like chess, backgammon, or cards, role-playing games (RPGs) offer a unique intersection of performance, play, and creativity that has made them increasingly popular ever since they first emerged in the 20th century.

In the six lectures of A Short History of Role-Playing Games, gaming consultant and avid gamer Jamin Warren will take you on a whirlwind tour of role-playing games, tracing a fascinating story of community-building, technical innovation, and, occasionally, cultural backlash. While Dungeons & Dragons is perhaps the best-known RPG of the last few decades, it is only one of a vast repository of games that range from dice-rolling tabletop adventures to cutting-edge digital games and live-action formats. As you trace the history and development of RPGs, you’ll see why these experiences that fuse storytelling, theater, and gameplay have developed an immense fanbase while having a significant impact on pop culture, especially in television and film.