This documentary traces how the modern role playing game evolved from a group of war gamers, passionate for realistic and accurate battle simulations. Step by step they wanted to push the envelope, playing campaigns where they alternated between diplomacy and battles, drawing in storytelling and freedom to take actions not covered by the rules, e.g. talk to local peasants.
One step lead to another, sometimes with novel new ideas that eventually lead to Blackmoor, Chainmail and Dungeons & Dragons.
The fascinating story is mostly told by the survivors of the group of war gamers -- Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax are, sadly, no longer with us -- and focuses on Dave Arneson and the events leading to the development of Blackmoor.
I knew bits and pieces in advance, i.e. that role playing evolved from war gaming, but seeing the evolution (with certain revolutionary jumps) explained was quite interesting. I had no idea that a 1880s book to educate on military tactics proved to have such a profound influence on the hobby that I have been enjoying for 30 years.
It would have been nice to get a look at the early role playing games to see what elements they contained and why, but one can hope that this will be included in the sequel.
Disclaimer: I backed the project to create this documentary on Kickstarter, but I have no further stake in the documentary or the creators.
One step lead to another, sometimes with novel new ideas that eventually lead to Blackmoor, Chainmail and Dungeons & Dragons.
The fascinating story is mostly told by the survivors of the group of war gamers -- Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax are, sadly, no longer with us -- and focuses on Dave Arneson and the events leading to the development of Blackmoor.
I knew bits and pieces in advance, i.e. that role playing evolved from war gaming, but seeing the evolution (with certain revolutionary jumps) explained was quite interesting. I had no idea that a 1880s book to educate on military tactics proved to have such a profound influence on the hobby that I have been enjoying for 30 years.
It would have been nice to get a look at the early role playing games to see what elements they contained and why, but one can hope that this will be included in the sequel.
Disclaimer: I backed the project to create this documentary on Kickstarter, but I have no further stake in the documentary or the creators.