Hello. My name is Jackie Scarborough. My husband, Russell, has been playing online D & D games with you for quite some time. I am currently working on my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. One of my classes this semester is Advanced Multiculturalism. One assignment/project that I have to complete within the next few weeks is an Immersion Project. For this assignment I have to collect information (in various ways) on a culture that I have not been exposed to in any great quantity. I have chosen to investigate the culture of D & D.
One way I would like to collect information is through a dialogue composed of several questions. I would greatly appreciate you taking a few moments and answer the following questions. Thanks!
1. In your experience what is the typical composition (e.g. gender, age, race, etc.) of the players?
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
12. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
NOTE: If you don’t mind please share with me an email address that I could contact you at if I need clarification on any of your answers/comments. THANK-YOU SO MUCH.
Edit: Just post your answers here.
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1. In your experience what is the typical composition (e.g. gender, age, race, etc.) of the players?
Typically groups have I been in are composed mostly of men. However I have had a few women play. I would say in my experience it runs about 6:1. Race is much more varied for me though. I played in the Marines and have had whites, blacks, hispanics, and asians. Ages have ranged anywhere from 10 to mid forties.
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
Well the stereotype is only slightly true. I have a bachelors as do a number of people I play with. Still some of them have been under achievers but in general I would say most have jobs, an apartment, and are already grown up.
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
Ummm not really sure. I am not a religious person myself. Some of the people I have played with are religious and aside from curbing our mouths and avoiding some situations it hasn't been a problem.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
In my opinion? Just have fun with it. Rules lawyers and disuptive players tend to bring the game down but that will always happen.
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
Not really, D&D players come from every walk of life.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
Just people pushing the stereotype. The "devil worship" crowd is bad at times. Still it's not too bad.
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
Sure my mother wouldn't buy me anything even related to D&D for 15 years. Why? Because it was evil! She had never read the books or anything else she just assumed it was.
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
Same as most. Talking for the most part with the odd idiot starting a fight.
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
It is no more sinful than judging others when your religion states you shouldn't.
12. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
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1. I think white male anywhere from 12-50 is your typical gamer.
I've played with a few women, two African Americans, one guy from India, and then the guys on Paizo. However, I never ask anyone what race they are on Paizo. I think I saw one guy was African American...it's weird because I usually imagine it's all a bunch of white guys. Oh, there's one Hispanic guy I think in one of my games; I don't know because again, I usually don't ask. I mean, how does that conversation work? And how would you know anyway?
It's interesting; here in computerland we're all boiled down to our raw elements.
I played with this one girl; she was the best ever. And her boyfriend HATED D&D. Not like "Christian Fear" or whatever; he owned a head shop;...he just thought it was weakassed.
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2. WRT underachievers,...I really don't know if that's a result of D&D, or if it's true. I'll have to think about it.
I guess I don't think I've been all I can be in life, but I do okay.
I can't really see a causal link.
I.E.--did I study hard enough in college? Were there even any jobs in 1991 when I graduated? That doesn't have anything to do with D&D really. Whether I tend to gravitate toward that element due to the fact that I might be an underachiever, doubtful.
I make decent money, I don't know if I'd be considered an underachiever or not really. I mean, how many grand a year means you've made it?
I need a definition of underachiever, because I've always been hard on myself, and would probably consider myself a failure no matter what I did.
Also, there's a lot more kids living at home anymore because there's either a professional job, or there's Wal-mart. There's no more manufacturing in this country. Who the hell can make any money anymore? It's all service industry bullcrap; get a degree or join the Army.
1. In your experience what is the typical composition (e.g. gender, age, race, etc.) of the players?
Here is some miscellaneous data from a few years ago on 'Education' and 'Income' and 'Age' .
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3.I consider myself a Christian, I'm not fundamentalist.
A lot of straight fundamentalists might not consider me a christian.
I believe for example that the flood never happened, Noah was a myth, it's all symbolism, and there's other people in heaven than strict adherents of Bible thumping.
I think a lot of other gamers are atheists, I'm not sure.
I come from Gainesville, Florida; out here in Texas it's a lot more religious than Gainesville, Florida.
Again, I don't get into it a lot because I think it's bad to discuss religion on a day that ends with "y." I don't worry about other peoples' souls because that's between them and their God or Buddha or whathaveyou.
Here's all my answers. I put in the spoiler tag so as not to take up so much space.
The ages of the people I play with have changed over the years. In high school I played with my friends in high school, all guys 14-18, but since then I've joined the military and played with people have varied ages and have always had at least one female player in the group. As for race, the groups I've played with have been predominately white non-hispanic people, but I have played in groups with African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics.
In my previous three groups I was the oldest and the only married person. I also used D&D as a chance to invite some young single people over for a home-cooked meal.
My current group ages and gender: 41M, 40F, 39M, 28M, 24M, 22M
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
I was a military instructor for a five-year stint, and one of my students said that if we gamers spent as much time studying our job as we did D&D rules, we'd all be great at the job. My response was "What makes you think we don't?"
In my experience, the "slacker" or "under-acheiver" stereotype is the exception, not the rule. I've gamed with senior non-commissioned officers (enlisted members E-7 and above), officers, small-business owners, and a PhD candidate.
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
I don't see religion as being a significant part of the D&D culture itself. I have played with Catholics, Mormons, Lutherans, Prespyterians, Agnostics, and Aethiests, just to name a few.
However, D&D is a collaborative fantasy role-playing game. The way people role-play, create characters or adventures, view comparative morality (i.e. Are *all* demons, orcs, red dragons, etc. really evil?) are often influenced by their relgious beliefs.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
"It's all about having fun."
Play with a group of people you get along with. Be polite to each other. Don't stiffle creativitiy. Bribe the DM with snacks.
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
Not really. The people that play D&D come from all "cultures" out there: sports, science, educuation, business, military, religion, and so on.
But the most common one I've seen has been from the religious circles that also condemn fantasy in general, to include literature such as the Harry Potter series.
However, this is usually a one-way street. Very rarely do the D&D players react to the religious groups that "oppose" D&D other than to share a laugh or have a collective rolling of the eyes, shoulder shrug, or whatnot.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
I haven't seen any true discrimination against D&D players. People will stereotype us, but that's about it.
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
Discriminated against? No. Stereotyped? All the time.
It's a funny thing.
One time, a friend of mine returned a D&D book to me at my office. One of my female co-workers saw the book on my desk, and said "You need more porn in your life."
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
Creativity. Diversity. Friendship.
D&D has led me to be interested in things like creative writing, drafting, painting, models, and even cooking.
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
Strong opinions.
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
At the game table, the final word belongs to the DM, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the disagreements or conflicts end there.
I've seen people quit D&D games or leave on-line forums over some conflicts.
But disagreements and conflicts are resolved as anywhere else, I suppose: through mutual respect and understanding, or by logically reasoning through points of interest, or by taking a hard stance until something gives, or through simple avoidance of the conflict.
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
I've had several friends that fall into this group of Christians. One once got upset at me for talking to his wife about Harry Potter. They had refused to read the books, and were conviced that it was "bad."
He asked me if the Harry Potter books taught kids how to do magic. I said "Dude... magic isn't real." He kinda shifted uncomfortably and rephrased the question. I said "Do the Supeman movies teach kids how to fly?"
I know that is about Harry Potter, but the thought process is the same for D&D.
I am amazed that in today's "information age" there are so many people that make such absurd judgements while admitting that they have not even one looked into the subject themselves.
12. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Good luck with your work! My name is Casey Jacobson. Feel free to contact me at:
casey.jacobson@gimail.af.mil
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11. I really don't know if they do still. My grandmother was freaked out by it when I was a kid, but my dad said their church though Scouting was a little cultish. I don't get along too well with organized religion, or organized much of anything really. I don't usually take too much from anybody Bible thumping on me without pointing out their flaws back to them and telling them to go heal thyselves.
I also think there's all kinds of preachy types religious or not, and the fact that religion is not what it used to be, well they've found other crap or new religions to preach on and on about, and found themselves new persecutions to suffer, and found new sinners to rail against; it's like they missed the point. I went one way, they went another, but they took the baggage with them.
Please clarify this point.
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
This is a statement, not a question. What question are you asking?
Is it "Do you find that this matches your experiences?"
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7.Mostly in highschool; I guess we were a subspecies of geek. I don't really openly advertize that I'm a gamer. I'm a little on the unconventional side anyway, so I give people the silent treatment until they're used to me. But I get away with a lot because I'm funny as hell and that's a boon mostly at work. I also don't mess with people, but I mess with them back instead of acting all heartbroken and laying a guilt trip on them, so they don't feel like I hold anything against them.
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Wrote this without viewing others’ responses to avoid corrupting data. Forgive me if I reiterate another’s points.
1. In your experience what is the typical composition (e.g. gender, age, race, etc.) of the players?
It used to be clearly heavily male dominated, but recently I’ve noticed there is a growing number of female gamers. I’m currently in a group where there are four women v two men. Age varies, plenty of people in the 40+ range, many in the 20-39 range, and a surprising number of <20 (usually children of older gamers, but my brother and I taught ourselves when in early teens). Race seems to be Caucasian, but that may be corrupted by the fact I have not attended schools where minorities are as prevalent as they should be.
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
You tell me. My wife (who games with me) and I just graduated from law degree school, cum laude, and I’ll start working as a tax attorney in September. There are some people who use any “escape” hobby to avoid work, and D&D is no exception, but it’s not unduly saturated.
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
Not so much for many. I have encountered Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Islamic, Athiestic, Agnostic, and “other” players. D&D is a hobby, one many enjoy a lot, but not a religion.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
Open-mindedness, teamwork, have fun. Other than that, it depends on the group.
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
There’s the stereotype of athlete’s picking on D&D players, but that’s probably not much of an issue anymore. I’d say the bigger problem comes from certain religious groups who feel D&D corrupts others to Satanism, etc. See below.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
Not so much anymore, other than occasional jokes at our expense. Some people still cling to the belief that D&D encourages suicide rather than admit that the person who took their own life needed help regardless of their hobbies.
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
Not really.
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
You can learn interpersonal skills, teamwork, people management, time management, practice math, practice oratory, etc. In general, D&D players are educated people looking to enjoy a shared experience.
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
You can get very opinionated people arguing themselves in circles. Sometimes there are no solutions, which leads to frustrations.
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
You talk to the person, try to reason with them, but ultimately it’s a group (tribal?) decision.
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
It’s a game, like “cops and robbers” with rules and random probability of “I shot you first.” Its improve, where you help share a common story. In 99% of the time, you play a fictional character who stops demons, devils, and other nasty things from hurting innocent people. How in the world is that a sinful thing? It’s a GAME!
12. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
See http://www.theescapist.com/index.htm for information of myths and stereotypes about D&D.
...3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?...
It depends on how religious the gamers are
...6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?...
The most obvious that come to mind are the ideas that gamers are 'satanic' or prone to 'suicide/homicide'. While completely unfounded, these beliefs continue to persist.
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain...
Not really. I've been lucky.
...8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?...
Us gamers tend to be good at math, reading, making annoying movie quotes, and similar 'talents'.
...9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?...
We can tend to be a bit 'nerdish' and can get a mite bit 'addicted' to the game. We will sometimes also annoy people with movie quotes.
...10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?...
By hitting people with big, pointy sticks!
Seriously, we solve them similar ways other people do. If it's in a D&D game, then the GM's word is law....11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
With extreme annoyance, generally. These people insult an entire culture by saying such things, and also scaring many folk away from the game.
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My answers:
1. In your experience what is the typical composition (e.g. gender, age, race, etc.) of the players?
I stated playing when I was 12, and most players I know started at the same time. Due to real-life commitments, gaming usually slows down once you turn 30 or so. All gamers I know are white, and 90%+ are male (however, some systems, like Vampire: The masquerade, have a much more even gender distribution).
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are underachievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to "grow up."
Not true of the gamers I know. My home group of six players includes three PhD candidates (including me), two guys with professional degrees and one pro musician.
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
None, beyond the occasional harassment by some religious types. Many DMs read up on religious history looking for adventure hooks or world-building ideas.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
Creativity, teamwork, problem-solving. I, along with my gamer friends, learned English by playing D&D and reading Tolkien.
5. Is there another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
Nothing serious. It would depend on the individual gamer.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
Discriminated against, no. Negatively stereotyped against, absolutely. However, I see less anti-D&D stereotyping now than even five years ago, as World of Warcraft seems to have replaced it as the popularly imagined nerd activity of choice.
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
For some odd reason, I have been called sexist and racist by people who disapprove of "traditional" fantasy art, and many seem to assume that I’m a socially inept nerd because I play RPGs. However, stronger stereotypes seem to be attached to reading comics, playing computer games or being a Boy Scout…
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
It encourages solidarity, creativity and playfulness.
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
It can be insular, and it can attract a lot of people with strong, inflexible opinions.
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
Roleplaying attracts a lot of articulate people, so most disagreements can usually be solved through reasonable dialogue. Like most DMs, I have banned people from my games - it remains the ultimate sanction against disruptive players who just cannot be reasoned with.
11. Many in the "Christian" culture believe that D & D is "of the devil" and "sinful." How would you respond to this?
It confuses me - I have no idea why anyone who’s read any RPG-related material would think that. I would say that this vein of criticism is badly misinformed.
12. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Feel free to drop me an email at sbodung(AT)hotmail.com
Please clarify this point.
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
This is a statement, not a question. What question are you asking?
Is it "Do you find that this matches your experiences?"
Yes. That is what I was getting at. - Jackie
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Answers spoilerised due to length.
When I first began playing (about age 11), most of the people I played with were about my own age, race (western European / Caucasian), and gender (male). As I’ve aged this has changed somewhat, but the general trend has remained.
My current main group consists of 8 people; 6 male, 2 female. The female players tend to be more part time players than the males – not quite as into the game, or unable to devote the same amount of time to it. Ages: 22, 25, 26, 29, 30 (me), 31, 33 (approx), 37. Race: 7 of European descent, 1 of Asian descent.
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
Of my current group (of 8), six work full time, one is a full time mother, the other is studying at university. The youngest (studying) lives at home with parents. Six members are married, four have kids. Four have completed university degrees.
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
Little to none in my experience.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
In the experience of my group; having fun, telling a good collective story, working together, enjoying a social experience.
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
Not in my experience. A lot of my friends are completely uninterested in (and mystified by) D&D, but I would not count it as a difficulty, it does not cause problems or tension. I have heard anecdotal evidence suggesting certain religious groups have big issues with D&D; I’ve not experienced it. There is a stereotype of “jocks” clashing with the stereotype of the D&D playing “nerd” – again, I’ve not experienced it. In fact, four members of my current group are pretty big sportspeople.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
I have had little experience of it, although I have noticed a perception that D&D players are likely to be geeks/ nerds and/or “lost in a fantasy world”. These perceptions are often reinforced when D&D or D&D players are depicted in popular culture (TV etc).
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
Not to any great extent – that I am aware of. I have had people react with surprise that I play D&D – “I thought that was a nerdy thing?”
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
In my experience, many D&D players tend to be intelligent, creative thinkers, well read with good vocabularies. At their best, D&D players are good in social situations and when partaking in group or teamwork activities.
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
At their worst, D&D players can be quite insular, and poor in social situations. It seems that many D&D players are very opinionated and sometimes argumentative. Some D&D players become over-involved in the game to the detriment of other areas of their lives.
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
Probably much as they are resolved in other cultures; depending on the nature of the conflict and the temperament of the participants: discussion, debate, argument, agreement to disagree, occasional hissie fits, occasional physical altercations …
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
“Are you serious?”
If they did seem serious, but seemed willing to engage in rational debate on the topic, I would try to ascertain where their views were stemming from and refute them. I would concentrate on the fact that it is a game.
12. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
My name is Luke, I can be contacted at mothman77 at hotmail.com
Spoilered for space reduction
1. In your experience what is the typical composition (e.g. gender, age, race, etc.) of the players?
When I started playing at 16 our group was 4/2 in favour of girls. Didn't even realise that was unusual, it was just my normal group of friends, we were all around the same age, thought it was a ton of fun and played. Hiatus of several years followed. Recently started playing again and am currently the only woman in a group consisting of husband, son and work colleague. Obviously everyone can be a liar online, but it looks as if the PbPs are male heavy. It's impossible to tell from the writing what race a person is and in a lot of cases pretty hard to tell the age as well. I think that's a fantastic thing.
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
Rather the opposite in my experience. A lot of players I've met have been well educated people working in pretty stressful environments and find D&D a fine way to relax, tell stories and socialise. Personally I work from home a lot, but I wouldn't describe myself as an under-achiever, inarticulate or particularly escapist. Our son at age 12 obviously still lives with his parents.
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
Apart from something that often gets used for plot hooks and adventuring background, none at all in my experience.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
In our group, communal story-telling with a lot of silly voices. Two of us aren't drama teachers for nothing.
5. Is there another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
Probably. I don't readily admit to being a gamer, but then I'm shy. I don't readily admit to enjoying synchronised swimming either.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
At university there was a fairly widely perceived stereotype of gamers as weedy nerds who ate a lot of pizza and got obsessive about rules. That seemed a bit unfair because in honesty that stereotype applies to maybe 90% of any student population.
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
Fun, story-telling, creativity, tends to force you to get a lot better at maths rather quickly, argument resolution is a must, teamwork.
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
Rules lawyering, inability to resolve issues resulting in meltdown, strong personalities can clash badly. I don't perceive this as a problem specific to D&D, it's true of any group that depends on community to work.
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
In game although GM will always have final say, by discussion. Which sometimes degenerates into argument and hissy fits. Chocolate is a great mellower.
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
Well, I'm doubtful too many of these folks know much about what they're demonising. If someone attacked me as a "devil-worshipper" or something equally silly, and they were prepared to be remotely rational about it I'd discuss it with them. If not, I'd ignore them.
I have chosen not to hide my post as to take up the most space possible… lol
1. In your experience what is the typical composition (e.g. gender, age, race, etc.) of the players?
Started playing when I was 9 or 10, I played with little boys my age. I’m 36 now and play with folks ten years above or below my age, male and female, although mostly male. Female players seem to be hard to find. I like having them in a group as they bring a whole other perspective to game play.
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
I so believe that’s not true. From my experience, most roleplayers end up being very successful, with families and good jobs.
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
Although in game it plays a big role (clerics need to pray to their god to get spells, villains are usually pawns in some evil deity’s major plan to rule the universe), out of the game it’s inconsequential. Any one from any background from any religion can have fun here.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
D&D is not very different than sitting down in front of the TV to watch the next episode of your favourite show. Except that you play one of the main characters in the story. I guess the most important attitude to have for playing any roleplaying game is the willingness to exchange… Ideas, stories, good times.
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
As others have posted, the only trouble I see are the religious folks who think that somehow we’re the devil because we play characters in a fantasy story and roll dice. But the problem is on their side, not ours.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
As with all other forms of discrimination, it comes from a lack of understanding. Those who make fun or fear roleplayers and roleplaying games just have no clue.
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
Not personally, I don’t think so. I proudly write it on my résumé that I’m a roleplayer. I think it tells the reader that I’m someone with great interpersonal skills and great at solving problems. That’s what I would think if I saw that on a résumé…
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
This hobby changed my life. It sparked my imagination as a child and it’s been running full-blast to this very day. It helped me develop my reading and writing skills, my oratory skills, my math skills, geography, history, vocabulary, visualisation, problem-solving, etc… Only good came of it. It taught me that learning can be fun.
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
I don’t see any weaknesses in the hobby of roleplaying.
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
With diplomacy. Exchange. Comprehension. Teamwork.
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
Ugh… Poor, poor Christians. That’s all I’m going to say about that.
12. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Roleplaying shouldn’t be banned and feared. It should be used in schools and shown to children at an early age. Your religion forbids you to talk about sorcery and demons, fine… Use another story setting. A little sci-fi perhaps (Star Wars universe…)? How about an Indiana Jones style adventure set in the 1950s, with real historical events that children would have to learn for an upcoming history exam. There’s no limit to the kind of stories you can use. I swear, if the teachers in my time used this medium for learning purposes, I’d have 100%s in all my classes.
Ultradan
1. In your experience what is the typical composition (e.g. gender, age, race, etc.) of the players?
12-40 predominantly male. I predict that the top of the age group will continue to increase, and when the grognards retire there will be an explosion of seniors playing.
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
I am a parent. My daughter still lives with her parents, but she's three.
I've known a tonne of losers who play RPGs, D&D included, and there may be an element of truth to your question, but then the correlation implies a cause and effect.... Being a bum makes you game? Or visa-versa?
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
Some religious people are persuaded not to play, so I'm going to guess that the religious are under-represented.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
Gamers seem to regard problem solving, creativity, cooperation quite highly.
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
Fundamentalism. They think we are devil worshipers.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
In addition to the answer above, some regard the game as immature or nerd-like, although this does not seem to result in discrimination, at least none that I know of.
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
Never.
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
I think playing promotes situational thinking.... meaning people get a lot of practice playing "what if". It also brings together a lot of people from diverse backgrounds for a common pastime.
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
I imagine that like other games players run the risk of becoming obsessed. This can happen with almost any activity, though.
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
Discussion. Referring to rules.
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
I wonder what you mean by many? I would respond to this by suggesting that they go crusade against some real evil.
Kruelaid: kruelaid <at> yahoo <dot> com <dot> cn
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Spoilerised for length reasons.
1. In your experience what is the typical composition (e.g. gender, age, race, etc.) of the players?
In my experience the typical composition is Male, 15-40, White. I have known gamers from outside this "Formula", but they are by far in the minority.
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
As a general rule I would say this is a sterotype based of a good percentage of the D&D Community. Maybe somewhere between 30-50% of players fall into this category (in my opinion).
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
A big one from the point of D&D'd detractors. Not so big from the point of it's players.
I think you will find that most D&D players are either Atheist or have Religion to only a very small degree (ie. pay lip service, but aren't devout or practicing). Again, these are just my opinions.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
Having fun with friends. To me that is the main goal. Powergaming plays a role in everyone's game (whether they admit it or not), but most people are in it to have fun and keep the powergaming to a minimum. True powergamers often spoil the game for other players.
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
Although there are a lot of cross genre players, Collectible Card Games (CCGs) seems to be the biggest clash. Second I would say are people who play other RPGs.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
Religious Nutjobs... Although I am an Atheist, I believe that everyone has a right to their own opinions and beliefs. On the whole most religious people (from whatever Religion) are nice decent people. It's the whackjobs who take their Religion to extremes and that take offence to anything which falls outside their little "Culture Box" who fall into this category. Christian faiths are the main detractors here, but pretty much every faith has it's own Relidiots. The various war going on around the "civilised" world should be ample evidence of this.
This website is a very good example of the small mindedness of Religious Extremists.
This answer is a response to both Q 5. and Q 6.
Another form of discrimination which I find amazing involves computer/console games. One of the biggest genres of these games is RPGs (just look at World of Warcraft) yet a lot of the people who buy these games (whether for themselves or their children) look down upon/ridicule /openly criticise pen and paper gaming, D&D in particular. Yet this is the game that made it possible for you to be playing those games in the first place and/or parents just have no idea what they buy for their children, which to me is indicative on a minor level of bad parenting.
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
Not to any large degree, just the generalisations (minor teasing at school, funny looks from co-workers). Nothing major.
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
Imagination.
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
It's insular nature. Players tend to only socialise with other players on their highest level of interaction. Other interactions with people are generally more subdued.
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
Heated discussions.
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?] It is no more sinful than judging others when your religion states you shouldn't.
See Q 6.
12. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
My name is Craig from Australia and you can reach me on flash_cxxi@hotmail.com
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Behind the Spoiler
In my current gaming group we have a very diverse group including 2 women (17W, 2xAsain) 4 men all white (38, 26, 23, 35)
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
In our group this stereotype would only apply to my daughter who is still in high school. Otherwise most of us work for a large telecommunication company, one is an IT professional, and one works for an insurance company 3 of us are married with kids.
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
I have never had any problems with my religious views or any of the religious leaders that I have been associated with. The only time any religion was a real problem is when others hassled me because I game.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
Teamwork, creativity but gamers are just like any other group of people
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
I have never had this problem; in fact it has been just the opposite for me. I have been to many different countries and some times the only thing I had in common was D&D. I was in Botswana and was reading a copy of Dragon magazine while waiting for a local bus I was taking to the house I was staying at for the summer. A group of local teen age boys came up to me and started asking questions about my game in the US. They then invited me to one of their games at one of their house and we started playing biweekly together. These young men would have never talked with me or opened their houses and culture to me had it not been for that connection we had with each other.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
Yes, I had brought a dungeon magazine to work, the issue number escapes me but it was one with the woman and all the spiders on the cover and was reading it during my lunch in our break room. I was approached by our local HR professional and she asked me to come to her office so I could talk with her. When I arrived I was greeted by her and my supervisor and they asked me about the “pornography” I was reading in the break room. I was a little shocked and did not make the connection until they asked to see the magazine. I showed it to them and pointed out that the drawing on the cover was covered more than the picture on her Cosmo that she was looking at. My supervisor then looked at both magazines and told her that this was silly and a waste of his time and we were done.
I also when I was younger in the 80’s during the high times of the anti-D&D religious movement was chased out of the library where we were playing and then they threw Holy water at us, at the time we all joked about how much damage we took from the water and made Monty python references back at them.
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
It is very opinionated and passionate about what they think about subjects and are not shy about letting you know.
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
It is very opinionated and passionate about what they think about subjects and are not shy about letting you know.
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
In our group, a d20 at 10 paces, no really just like any other small group, loudly and often with some hurt feelings but often not. Most people acknowledge that the GM has the final word in the game but will listen to arguments for and against.
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
Well, I usually do not care about what people think and just ignore them now, not so much in the past but with age comes wisdom.
12. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
If you have any other question contact me at kjbrown911(at)GMAIL(dot)com
I like the spoiler!
1. In your experience what is the typical composition (e.g. gender, age, race, etc.) of the players?
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
Spoiled for size
Typically I think of D&D players as males young to old with a spattering of females. 6:1 ratio seems reasonable. Though all the females I’ve played with have had a relationship with another player in the group. Never have I played with a female that was single.
When I was a teenager, I played one campaign with my friend’s dad as DM and his mother and brother as players. D&D was a family affair. A few others at the table were also the parents age (40s).
Right after high school my friends and I began playing with our old chemistry teacher/football coach. It was an interesting experience playing with him. Social rules would indicate that we should not only respect him, but also to bow to his wisdom and experience. However, at the D&D table, the younger kids (teenagers and early twenties) had more experience with the game and more knowledge of the rules. The coach respected and listened to us, instead.
Until recently all the people I’ve played with have been Caucasian. However, an African-American man joined our group this past spring.
2. A common D & D stereotype that I have heard is that those who play D & D are under achievers. For example, still live with parents, don’t have a job, or just don’t want to “grow up.”
My weekly group consists of 5 professionals with college degrees with good jobs and one adult working retail who just moved out of his parents home into his own place. One of my old D&D buddies still lives with his parents working only part time and another I would say is an under achiever. Approximately 10% of the D&D players I’ve met would fit into the above stereotype.
3. What role does religion play in the D & D culture?
My childhood education included a lot of Christian teachings. I’m pleasantly surprised when I find things in D&D that have a correlation to something I learned in church, mostly divine spells. There is so much in D&D that I thought was just made up or taken from ages ago, that I have discovered are current religious practices. Just the other weekend I attended a seminary (grad school for ministers) graduation and the procession was being led by a pastor wielding a heavy mace! I loved it, and asked to hold it afterwards.
I have just celebrated my 1-year wedding anniversary to my wonderful wife, who is a pastor. She is supportive of my D&D hobby but does not play. She finds all the little miniatures creepy, even the angels. My wife is an excellent hostess to the players every week. I think she would agree that D&D campaigns contain many demonic creatures and horrific practices, but none that are any worse than accounts in the Bible.
4. What thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and/or values are most important in the D & D culture?
I think the most important belief in D&D should be that everyone is having fun. If all the players can keep that in mind, everyone has a great experience. In order to assure that all are enjoying themselves some social graces and politeness is necessary. If you are taking up too much attention, you need to back off and let others have a chance to shine.
5. Is their another culture that the D & D culture seems to have difficulty with? What is the nature of this difficulty?
Certain D&D players or groups may have difficultly with another culture, but you will always be able to find a person who dabbles in both D&D and that other culture. As a whole, the D&D culture does not exclude any.
6. Are there ways that the D & D culture are discriminated against? What ways?
I do tend to hide my D&D nature in a profession or religious environment until I discover someone else who has a love of fantasy fiction. Then I feel comfortable enough to share my choice in hobbies with them. I don’t know what kind of discrimination I fear, but I do fear it.
7. Have you personally been discriminated and/or stereotyped due to your involvement in the D & D culture? If you have been please explain.
A few that I have disclosed my D&D hobby to have lovingly teased me about it. (“Hey Dungeon Master!”) But I would rather it not be so publicly announced when they do it.
8. What strengths does the D & D culture have?
My sister, a valedictorian of her class, has always been jealous of my vocabulary, which I attribute mostly to my reading of D&D material. Many of the words I get correctly on the vocabulary game http://www.freerice.com/ I have learned from D&D.
Other strengths that I have gained through D&D include conflict resolution and negotiation.
9. What weaknesses does the D & D culture have?
I believe a weakness that the D&D culture has is that our very name Dungeons & Dragons is copyrighted by a commercial institution. Profit margins play too important of a role in this hobby that is so dear to so many of us.
10. How are disagreements or conflicts resolved in the D & D culture?
Like many conflicts, conflicts between people at the D&D table just need some time. Usually after people have had some time to cool off and get things in perspective conflict resolution is much easier. Conflicts are resolved either through email or in person the next time we meet with a dose of compassion, but mostly through negotiation. Sometimes conflicts are simply born of a misunderstanding.
Larger conflicts in the D&D culture, such as the conflict of consumers versus companies go largely unresolved, in my opinion. People with the power make the decisions and others suffer with few options to appeal.
11. Many in the “Christian” culture believe that D & D is “of the devil” and “sinful.” How would respond to this?
As my background might indicate, I have heard this more than a few times. My mother changed her tune after listening to us play D&D in the next room for years, but she still does not approve of the time spent playing “make-believe”. My friend from college no longer thinks we are worshiping the devil, but rather are “playing house.” Others who don’t have the opportunity to overhear a session, I usually make references to fighting against the evil creatures or our character’s trips to the heavens to visit with angels and celestials.
12. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
millerhero@gmail.com
ManPig