The Washington Post Weighs In On D&D!

MNblockhead · Apr 18, 2019

Flexor the Mighty! said:
Honestly that is the first thing I thought. I have had friends assume we dress up and put on elf ears when playing D&D since it seems they see that a lot when they come across some random article or picture of D&D players.

As someone in their mid-40s who started playing TTRPGs in the mid-80s, I have to admit to similar knee-jerk reactions. But I quickly realized that many of us have become the bullies. Some people like to dress up for their games. Who cares? Cosplay has become an impressive hobby. What does it say about us that we worry that how others enjoy the game will make us look silly? It is decades of ridicule and bullying that many in our hobby experienced that, thankfully, is far less prevalent today, which allows folks to enjoy and express themselves openly in ways we could not.

Other than the crappy employment opportunities, I'd love to be in my teens and 20s today.

MNblockhead · Apr 18, 2019

theworstdm said:
Unfortunately, they included one of my least favorite tropes from mainstream articles about RPGs; you can find some variation of the "No longer is it a game to hide out with in Mom’s basement." line in almost every one of these articles.

Yeah, it caters to outdated stereotypes that were not particularly true "back in the day." To me, it seems more true of the 90s than the 80s. In the 80s it was played in schools, libraries, and was depicted in mainstream films like ET as no different than any other family game played at the kitchen table.

Morrus · Apr 18, 2019

Was WotC responsible for taking away penalties to Strength for female characters? That’s not my recollection.

Azzy · Apr 19, 2019

Morrus said:
Was WotC responsible for taking away penalties to Strength for female characters? That’s not my recollection.

No, I believe those were introduced in 1e AD&D, but they never made it past that edition.

Birmy · Apr 19, 2019

theworstdm said:
Unfortunately, they included one of my least favorite tropes from mainstream articles about RPGs; you can find some variation of the "No longer is it a game to hide out with in Mom’s basement." line in almost every one of these articles.

Yup! As a comic book geek, our equivalent is the (mercifully declining) "POW! WHAM! BIFF! Comics aren't just for kids anymore!" line. Writers trying to "write their way in" to an article fall for it every time.

Dausuul · Apr 19, 2019

Morrus said:
Was WotC responsible for taking away penalties to Strength for female characters? That’s not my recollection.

No, those were an aberration of AD&D 1E. As I recall, neither 2E nor Basic had them.

GreyLord · Apr 19, 2019

My only notice is to ask...is the person second from the right in Green wearing a mask?

Birmy · Apr 19, 2019

GreyLord said:
My only notice is to ask...is the person second from the right in Green wearing a mask?

If I'm remembering their appearance on the Stream of Many Eyes right, to play her character she uses a bit of makeup, including a fake beard.

EDIT: Just looked it up, and that's Sujata Day's character, Ichabod: https://www.girlsgutsgloryrpg.com/ichabod

Jester David · Apr 19, 2019

GreyLord said:
My only notice is to ask...is the person second from the right in Green wearing a mask?

No.
She takes her long hair and ties locks from either side of her face together under her chin. And then draws on a moustache.

Flexor the Mighty! · Apr 19, 2019

MNblockhead said:
As someone in their mid-40s who started playing TTRPGs in the mid-80s, I have to admit to similar knee-jerk reactions. But I quickly realized that many of us have become the bullies. Some people like to dress up for their games. Who cares? Cosplay has become an impressive hobby. What does it say about us that we worry that how others enjoy the game will make us look silly? It is decades of ridicule and bullying that many in our hobby experienced that, thankfully, is far less prevalent today, which allows folks to enjoy and express themselves openly in ways we could not.

Other than the crappy employment opportunities, I'd love to be in my teens and 20s today.

Never said I was worried about anything.