Dragons in the Dragons in the StacksStacksFantasy Role Playing Games in Fantasy Role Playing Games in LibrariesLibraries

Cason SnowCason Snow3 NOV 20083 NOV 2008ALA TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries SymposiumALA TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium

What are RPGs?What are RPGs?

• According to the OED, an RPG is:According to the OED, an RPG is:• ““a game in which players take on the a game in which players take on the

roles of imaginary characters who roles of imaginary characters who engage in adventures, typically in a engage in adventures, typically in a particular fantasy setting overseen by particular fantasy setting overseen by a referee.”a referee.”

• Two main componentsTwo main components• SystemSystem• SettingSetting

Birth of RPGsBirth of RPGs1970s1970s

• BraunsteinBraunstein• BlackmoorBlackmoor• ChainmailChainmail• Dungeons and DragonsDungeons and Dragons

Good Old DaysGood Old Days1980s1980s

• Profusion of games and settingsProfusion of games and settings• Emphasis on simulationismEmphasis on simulationism

• ““Real life”Real life”• GenreGenre

The Dark TimesThe Dark Times1990s1990s

• Emergence of “storytelling” gamesEmergence of “storytelling” games• Vampire: The Masquerade (1991)Vampire: The Masquerade (1991)

• Emphasis on narrativismEmphasis on narrativism

Indie RevolutionIndie Revolution2000s2000s

• Emergence of the “indie” game Emergence of the “indie” game movementmovement• Design and publication of games by Design and publication of games by

individuals, not corporations.individuals, not corporations.• Codification of GNS theoryCodification of GNS theory• Games strongly divided between Games strongly divided between

gameism and narrativism.gameism and narrativism.• Division spurred by GNS theory.Division spurred by GNS theory.

GNS TheoryGNS Theory

• First proposed by Ron Edwards First proposed by Ron Edwards (2001)(2001)• Developed out of the Threefold ModelDeveloped out of the Threefold Model

• Main point of GNS is that the game Main point of GNS is that the game system does matter to the success system does matter to the success of the RPG.of the RPG.

GNS TheoryGNS Theory

• GameismGameism• Competition among players with Competition among players with

victory conditions that influence victory conditions that influence gameplaygameplay

• Example game: Example game: Rune RPGRune RPG

GNS TheoryGNS Theory

• Narrativism Narrativism • Creation of a story with a recognizable Creation of a story with a recognizable

theme, players are “co-authors”theme, players are “co-authors”• Example game: Example game: HeroQuestHeroQuest

GNS TheoryGNS Theory

• SimulationismSimulationism• Exploration the main focus of play, Exploration the main focus of play,

seeks to create an internally consistent seeks to create an internally consistent worldworld

• Example game: Example game: Riddle of SteelRiddle of Steel

Why play RPGs in Why play RPGs in libraries?libraries?

• Personal reasonsPersonal reasonso Improve literacyImprove literacyo Improve math skillsImprove math skillso Improve interpersonal communicationsImprove interpersonal communicationso Improve leadership skillsImprove leadership skillso Improve cooperative problem solving Improve cooperative problem solving

skillsskillso Face to face social interactionFace to face social interaction

Why play RPGs in Why play RPGs in libraries?libraries?

• Library reasonsLibrary reasons• Popular programPopular program

Clovis Regional LibraryClovis Regional Library Has 30 regular attendees Has 30 regular attendees

Increase circulationIncrease circulation Highlight certain parts of the collectionHighlight certain parts of the collection

How to learn an RPGHow to learn an RPG

• ApprenticeshipApprenticeship• Join an existing groupJoin an existing group

Can be difficult to findCan be difficult to find May not be playing the game you want to learnMay not be playing the game you want to learn

• ““Academically”Academically”• Read rules and become familiar before Read rules and become familiar before

playingplaying Having experienced players in group can help and Having experienced players in group can help and

hinderhinder If everyone is new then they will all learn togetherIf everyone is new then they will all learn together

Running a gameRunning a game

• First pick an RPG the appeals to you First pick an RPG the appeals to you (the GM)(the GM)• SystemSystem• SettingSetting

• Find a location to run the gameFind a location to run the game• Local library ;)Local library ;)

Running a gameRunning a game• Assemble a groupAssemble a group

• PublicityPublicity In the libraryIn the library In the communityIn the community In local gaming storesIn local gaming stores Social networking websitesSocial networking websites

Nearbygamers.comNearbygamers.com Corporate websitesCorporate websites White WolfWhite Wolf RPGARPGA FacebookFacebook MySpaceMySpace

Running a gameRunning a game

• Create charactersCreate characters• Most core rules have templates or Most core rules have templates or

even pre-generated characters to even pre-generated characters to speed initial play.speed initial play.

• Usually will take the first two sessions.Usually will take the first two sessions.• Helpful to have multiple copies of the Helpful to have multiple copies of the

rulebook.rulebook.

Running a gameRunning a game

• Play!Play!• Many games include a short Many games include a short

introductory adventure.introductory adventure.• Get feedback, encourage Get feedback, encourage

involvementinvolvement• Use a campaign wiki or blogUse a campaign wiki or blog• Important for players to have sense of Important for players to have sense of

ownership in world.ownership in world.

Running a gameRunning a game

Two major campaign stylesTwo major campaign styles Linear styleLinear style

Characterized by a group of adventures run consecutivelyCharacterized by a group of adventures run consecutively Emphasis on storylineEmphasis on storyline Less time to set up and runLess time to set up and run Average group size is sixAverage group size is six

Sandbox styleSandbox style Characterized by open settingCharacterized by open setting Emphasis on explorationEmphasis on exploration More time consuming to set upMore time consuming to set up Accommodate more playersAccommodate more players

Suggested GamesSuggested Games

• Standard fantasyStandard fantasy• Dungeons and Dragons, 4Dungeons and Dragons, 4thth edition edition

• Has a very strong program to support Has a very strong program to support organized play in librariesorganized play in libraries

• RPGARPGA• Wizards Play NetworkWizards Play Network

• Exalted, 2Exalted, 2ndnd edition edition• Burning Wheel, Revised EditionBurning Wheel, Revised Edition

Suggested GamesSuggested Games Other fantasy optionsOther fantasy options

World of DarknessWorld of Darkness Mage: The AwakeningMage: The Awakening Changeling: the LostChangeling: the Lost

SorcererSorcerer Game of ThronesGame of Thrones Riddle of SteelRiddle of Steel Big Eyes, Small MouthBig Eyes, Small Mouth

Dreaming CitiesDreaming Cities

Where do you get Where do you get RPGs?RPGs?

• FLGS (Friendly Local Gaming Store)FLGS (Friendly Local Gaming Store)• Directly from companiesDirectly from companies• Online retailersOnline retailers

Online resourcesOnline resources

• NewsNews• Gaming company websitesGaming company websites• Gamingreport.comGamingreport.com

• Advice, ideas, discussionAdvice, ideas, discussion• Rpg.netRpg.net• Enworld.orgEnworld.org• Roleplayingtips.comRoleplayingtips.com• Indie-rpgs.comIndie-rpgs.com

Print ResourcesPrint Resources

• Dragons in the Stacks: an Dragons in the Stacks: an introduction to role-plating games introduction to role-plating games and their value to librariesand their value to libraries. . Collection Building, vol.27, no.2 Collection Building, vol.27, no.2 2008.2008.

Contact InformationContact Information

Cason SnowCason Snow casonsnow@gmail.comcasonsnow@gmail.com Phone: 815-753-1192Phone: 815-753-1192

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