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Dragons in the StacksRole Playing Games in Libraries
Maine Library Association 2015
What is an RPG
A game in which players take on the roles of imaginary
characters who engage in adventures, typically in a
particular fantasy setting overseen by a referee.
Source: OED
Varieties of RPGs
Tabletop (Pen and Paper) - Dungeons and DragonsMMO - World of WarcraftMUD/MUX/MUSHPBEMSingle player electronic - Final FantasyLARP
RPS - Mind’s Eye TheatreBoffer - Dagorhir
Parts of an RPG
System - The rules of the game Character creationTask resolutionCombat“Magic”
Setting - The world the game takes place in
Brief History of RPGs
Early days
Games derived solely from tabletop wargamingBraunstein (1967)
Blackmoor (1971)Chainmail (1971)Dungeons and Dragons (1974)
Good Old Days
Profusion of games and settings, strong emphasis on simulation
“Real life”RuneQuest (1978)RoleMaster (1980)
GenreCall of Cthulhu (1981)James Bond 007 (1983)
International Reach
RPGs expand into other countries, either home grown or translations
Drakar och Demoner (1982)Das Schwarze Auge (1984)
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (1986) Sword World (Japan, 1989)
Dark Times
Emergence of “storytelling” gamesArs Magica (1988)
Vampire: the Masquerade (1991)Story games
Sorcerer (2002)
Satanic Panic
Began in the mid 1980sMoral panic over RPGs and the corruption of childrenBADD (Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons)
Still residual misconceptions to this dayPulling Report
Systematic dismantling of BADD’s argumentsThe Escapist
Online source for gaming advocacy
Theory Wars
Threefold Model Theory (GDS)Developed on Usenet to discuss “best” style of play
Game - Balance, fairnessDrama - Story, meaning, themeSimulation - Metagaming
Evolved into GNS theory
Knutepunkt conferencesHeld since 1997
Indie Revolution
Open gamingMajor companies issued open licences
Indie gamesAdvent of PDF and PoD publishing
OSRReimagining of older editions of games
Why RPGs in Libraries
Benefits to players
RPGs reinforce considerable number of standards in Common Core
MathematicsEnglish Language Arts and Literacy
MathematicsBasic math on the flyProbabilities
LiteracyLists of inspirational sourcesReading to enrich game play“High Gygaxian”
SocializationMajority of games are cooperativeLeadership skills
CreativityImprovisationPlayer contribution to game
AgencyControlled environment to explore situationsVarying amounts of narrative control
RPG Programs
Free Games
D&D Basic RulesComplete rules for core classes
RisusMinimalist RPG
Savage Worlds Test DriveBasic rules and accessories for Savage Worlds
Fate Core or Fate Accelerated EditionComplete versions of both games
Free Games
D6 SystemComplete game
Prose Descriptive Qualities SystemComplete game
Game Selection
Top Five Games based on sales1.Dungeons and Dragons, 5th edition (Wizards of the
Coast)2.Pathfinder (Paizo Publishing)3.Star Wars (Fantasy Flight Games)4.Shadowrun (Catalyst Game Labs)5.Iron Kingdoms (Privateer Press)
Source: http://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/32097/top-5-roleplaying-games-spring-2015
Where to get the rest
FLGS - Favorite Local Gaming StoreStaff can provide advice on games
Direct from PublisherOffer print and PDF bundles
Online Print BooksellersConvenient for big publishers
Online Electronic BooksellersPDFs, some PoD options
Basics
Safety firstPermission slipsVisitors
AdvertisingPromote programWord of mouth among teens
Preparation
Group sizeIdeal: 4-6 players
May need pre-generated characters and scenarioFirst game
SimpleShortSelf contained
Seven Player Types
Player engagementThe Power Gamer wants to make his character bigger, tougher, buffer, and richer.
The Butt-Kicker wants to let off steam with a little old-fashioned vicarious mayhem.
The Tactician is probably a military buff, who wants chances to think his way through complex, realistic problems, usually those of the battlefield.
The Specialist favors a particular character type, which he plays in every campaign and in every setting.
The Method Actor believes that roleplaying is a medium for personal expression, strongly identifying with the character he plays.
The Storyteller, like the method actor, is more inclined to the roleplaying side of the equation and less interested in numbers and experience points.
The Casual Gamer is often forgotten in discussions of this sort, but almost every group has one. Casual gamers tend to be low key folks who are uncomfortable taking center stage even in a small group.
Source: Robin’s Laws of Good Gamemastering, p.4-5
Further Reading
PrintDragons in the Stacks: a Teen Librarian’s Guide to Tabletop Role-PlayingRobin’s Laws of Good GamemasteringComplete Trilogy: Focal Point, Odyssey, and Never Unprepared
Online ENWorld (D&D and Pathfinder focused website) RPGnet (general RPG and gaming site) Gnome Stew (Game Mastering advice)
Growth
Game lengthOne shot - One session
Convention gamesShort campaign - Six to eight sessions
Published adventuresLong campaign - Ten or more sessions
Western Marches
Expansion
SchedulingRun different groups of players at separate times
RecruitmentAllow participants to run games
Contact information
Cason SnowMetadata Librarian/CatalogerUniversity of Maine207-581-1670
