When Did You Start Playing D+D?

[Glyfair]

It's interesting that the early years seem to coincide with the popularity of D&D. The more recent years don't, but I imagine that's more a function of the forum, rather than people playing the game. If it was asked on the WotC forums you might find more emphasis on the recent dates.

However, what's up with the 1992 spike?

For the record, 1978 for me.

 

[Hierax]

what's up with the 1992 spike?

D&D Rules Cyclopedia in 1991 (which takes a while to spread out through the markets) followed up with a whole slew of beginner modules and accessories (Thunder Rift, Challenger Series, big over-sized boxed sets).

That would have been an awesome time to be a D&D newbie, the best all-in-one rules book and a lot of "support" to get you started.

Well, FWIW, that's my guess about the 1992 spike.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

(D&D) Class of 1978, here!

We're the best, and everyone knows it!

 

[Orcus]

Class of 77.

I remember using the boxed set with Greyhawk and Blackmoor and Eldritch Wizardry. Nothing but the little booklets for me at first! Then AD&D. The classic modules--giants, tomb of horrors, etc.

Clark

 

[MonsterMash]

1977, intially with just the three rulebooks, but then adding Chainmail, Greyhawk, and the other supplements and the Strategic Review issues.

 

[rebarton2]

The preponderance of those who started gaming before 1985 is pretty amazing (something like 60% when I voted - in the class of '78, incidentally). This must say something about those who frequent EN world - a lot of old grognards, I guess.

Geleg

 

[Exquisite Dead Guy]

1982. My friend Tyler Battesse (where are you now, Tyler?) got the red basic box for Christmas and we finally got around to looking at it a few months later. We didn't bother with most of the rules, but that didn't make it any less fun.

About a a year later we decided to move up to AD&D and had to hold a car wash to raise the money to buy 2 Player's Handbooks.

Hard to believe that one thin red box could launch me into a lifetime of enjoyment. *sniff* Sorry, got a little choked up there.

 

[Rl'Halsinor]

October, 1979. There is something about new experiences that are forever etched on one's mind because I can still remember rolling up my very first character and the memories from my first game are as clear as a bell.

My first DM who introduced myself and a slew of others played the game before the 1st edition AD&D was even printed. I also remember how '79 was a wildfire year of popularity because hobby stores couldn't keep the new hardback copies in stock.

I took it home to my brothers and friends at Thanksgiving and they ate it up as well.

 

[Wombat]

Started on Labor Day Weekend, 1975

30+ years, man and boy, behind the GM screen, squire!

 

[kenobi65]

However, what's up with the 1992 spike?

"Spike" being kind of relative...11 in 1992, compared to 5 in '91, and 4 in '93. In market research, we'd tell you that the sample size isn't big enough to consider that a real difference. If we got a whole lot more respondents, and there was still a spike in 1992, then it'd be meaningful. At this point, it's hard to say if that's a real phenomenon in 1992, or just wobble.