How mainstream is D&D / RPGs

[derelictjay]

I've never hidden my hobbies, including RPGs, from my co-worker, the reason I don't talk about them is that it never came up in conversation.

As to D&D being mainstream, yes it is. Is it popular or chic, nope. Heavy Metal music is mainstream, you mention you listen to heavy metal, and everyone either asks you Do you like Metallica or Hey, I watch the Osbournes and Ozzy's funny. Does that mean heavy metal music is "In" no, and it never will be, just like D&D. D&D went mainstream in the late eighties, but unlike most things which mainstream and die, D&D is still here and will likly be here for a long time, for which I'm thankful.

 

[Umbran]

What is the population of the US (in 1999)? If 1% of the country regularly games - how come it has such a low key profile.

IIRC, in 2000, the US population was about 281 million (I think it is now somewhere closer to 290 million). That made gamers less than 1% of the population. And somewhat less than that playing D&D, specifically. And they aren't strongly clustered in a single geographical region. And they perform their activities quietly in their own homes.

 

[David Howery]

the best way to sum it up is "everyone's heard of it, but few know what it really is".

Futurama poked a little fun at D&D.. one episode had a critter much like a rust monster, and another one had an out and out beholder in it. Plus, there was that episode with Gygax...

 

[Nisarg]

D&D is mainstream within the realm of marginal hobbies. In other words it is known by the mainstream while not really considered an acceptable "mainstream" activity (like baseball, or having a great cd collection, or poker nights); instead its a hobby that is perceived as being practiced by people on the margins of society (like Star Trek fandom, stamp or coin collecting, collecting comics, etc).
Its something that is seen as troubling for one's social skills when you're a kid, and disturbingly immature for an adult. (this to me is very ironic, as I'm sure it is to many of you)
Its something that cannot be mentioned in mainstream media without a reference to how nerdy it is, and usually how big a loser anyone who plays it is. Virtually all pop culture references to it are comedically derogatory.

My professional background is in academia, and it would be career suicide to include "roleplayer" in your c.v.
I have also worked in retail management over the years, and there again I would personally never give a job to anyone who put "roleplaying" on their resume, as to me it reflects an essential disconnect to mainstream reality (ie. that if you think its a good thing to put "roleplayer" on your resume, you probably have trouble understanding acceptable mainstream behaviour). The only exception to this, of course, would be if I was hiring for a gaming store.

Nisarg

 

[Sado]

I am deep in the gamer's closet. In a mainstream bookstore like Borders or B&N I have to work up the nerve to walk up to the gaming section. The graphic novels/comics are usually right next to them, and sometimes I flip open one of those and pretend to read it as I try to glance at the gaming books out of the corner of my eye (as if graphic novels are any more socially acceptable, right )

NO ONE at work knows anything about my secret double life. I work with a bunch of cops who are either barely-old-enough-to-drink testosterone-filled jock-types or grizzled 30-year police veterans (nothing in between, it's an odd department). So I keep it to myself, although I'm a little more open about my war-gaming.

 

[Ferret]

I talk about it at school. Some people laugh and say stuff like "Ha ha! He thinks!" and some ask what it is, and I explain and we change subject. Some though ask to join a group. Which usually fails....

 

[dead]

I've never put it on my resume but I *have* been asked at interviews what my hobbies were. When this happened, I never told them RPGs. I was worried it would effect my interview chances for fear of the *dark* stigma attached to RPGs.

Nevertheless, I was speaking to my friend the other day -- because I asked him what to do in this situation -- and he said: "Yes, DO mention RPGs are your hobby, just put a *positive* spin on it."

In other words, you'd say: "RPGs are a great social activity. RPGs are a fabulous opportunity to spend time with friends. RPGs are great for the imagination and involve creative thinking and problem solving. RPGs help with your ability to negotiate and communicate." etc. etc.

So, with that in mind, I may very well mention I'm into RPGs next time I'm asked -- either by colleagues or interviewers -- what hobby I'm into. Especially since RPGs are about the only hobby I *am* into!

 

[shilsen]

My professional background is in academia, and it would be career suicide to include "roleplayer" in your c.v.
I have also worked in retail management over the years, and there again I would personally never give a job to anyone who put "roleplaying" on their resume, as to me it reflects an essential disconnect to mainstream reality (ie. that if you think its a good thing to put "roleplayer" on your resume, you probably have trouble understanding acceptable mainstream behaviour). The only exception to this, of course, would be if I was hiring for a gaming store.

Nisarg

My professional background is in academia and my CV lists roleplaying games under hobbies and interests. Never had a problem with it, mainly because I'm completely open about it, not the least bit embarassed (though I'd be embarassed to be embarassed, if you get my drift), and have a sense of humour about it.

And it's not that I have trouble understanding acceptable mainstream behaviour, but that I (a) don't respect a lot of it and (b) discovered a long time ago that people have a habit of rewriting the rules for acceptable mainstream behaviour for individuals who consistently don't follow the rules (emphasis on consistently).

 

[Buttercup]

I really find it weird that gamers are afriad/concerned/worried about including their gaming on their CV

I'm not any of those things. But hobbies have no place on a CV, unless they're germane to the job one is applying for.

Anyway, some of my coworkers know, but not all. Naturally, the coworkers who are in my gaming group know. I work in an organization with over 300 employees. Lots of these people I barely know, or don't know at all. The most interaction I have with them is a nod or a "good morning" as we pass each other.

 

[DaveStebbins]

I don't place any hobbies on my resume. Heck, even my education would probably be bumped to page two if I bothered to update it today (I'm not old, I'm experienced!).

I work in a cube farm in a professional atmosphere. I don't hide my gaming but I don't use gaming terms in conversation, because the vast majority of my co-workers wouldn't understand the references. However, my monitor sports a gargoyle statuette and a five-inch diameter paper d20 atop it and there are two old Frazetta prints on my cube wall and my desktop wallpaper is currently the D&D 30th anniversary barfight picture, so anyone who recognizes any of that stuff knows I'm a gamer. Just had a guy this week recognize the guy climbing the idol in the barfight scene as being from "some old D&D book back when I used to play."

I don't think anyone avoids me or disrespects me because of my hobby. I'm much more likely to be avoided because of my reputation as a loose cannon who does what's right and speaks his mind regardless of what would be politically expedient. To many people that gives me credibility, to others I'm a career disaster waiting to happen and they try to keep a safe distance.

-Dave