How old were you when you started playing D&D?

[Jhaelen]

I started playing (A)D&D back in '84. My first character was an illusionist - my character that reached the highest level so far was also an illusionist (not the same one though...).

It's also worth mentioning I learned reading English by perusing 'Deities & Demigods' which my DM back then had expressly forbidden me to look at
I was particularly fascinated by the Mythos pantheon (because I had never heard of Lovecraft at the time) and Nehwon (because I had read the Leiber novels and liked them a lot (though not as much as Moorcock's 'Book of Corum', but I digress...)).

 

[DaveMage]

The funny thing about this poll, is that 10-15 year olds should be the target market for 4E.

 

[Boregar]

I was six years old. My brother got the red box as a birthday present, and I was press-ganged into joining his first game.

Twenty-five years later, I'm glad I was.

 

[Animus]

The funny thing about this poll, is that 10-15 year olds should be the target market for 4E.

That's what I think, around that age range. Hook 'em early .

I would hope that with the marketing research resources that WotC has that they figured this out. Ooh, I just had an idea for another thread.

EDIT: Here it is.

 

[beldar1215]

I played one time in Middle School, but really didn't start playing until I was about 24ish. Can't remember exactly. I was in Big Brothers at the time and my little brother asked if I knew anyone who played D&D. I just happened to work with someone who did. We went and played and I was hooked. I lost touch with him (little brother), but I still game with the majority of the group we started with. This was around 1992.

Beldar

 

[bento]

The funny thing about this poll, is that 10-15 year olds should be the target market for 4E.

I think that DDM should be used as a "gateway" game to D&D as it's more tactile with the figures, and there's the collector aspect that pre-teens and teens enjoy.

I started playing in 1978 when I was 12. I think that's about the right age - you have the intellect to absorb the rules and the attention span to sit for several hours.

 

[Animus]

I think that DDM should be used as a "gateway" game to D&D as it's more tactile with the figures, and there's the collector aspect that pre-teens and teens enjoy.

I started playing in 1978 when I was 12. I think that's about the right age - you have the intellect to absorb the rules and the attention span to sit for several hours.

You know I never thought about that. Do you think that was WotC's intent partly, to use DDM as a gateway product?

 

[sckeener]

I was 9 and the year was 1981. My mom got me into the game. She thought it would help me bond with other kids. It did, but it also gave me a love of reading improving my vocabulary.

It looks like the majority started in their teens. I'm going to have to remember that when thinking what sort of game is appropriate to introduce my kids to....look at tv shows and game ratings....

I think CBS version of Dexter is going to be TV14.

I can't remember what rating Buffy the Vampire Slayer got....

 

[Midknightsun]

I was about 12, going on 13. The year was 1985 and my sister bought me the red box for my birthday. I started playing with a group when I was 14 to about 18. I took a break during college, but still bought all the books and didn't rejoin a group until I was 31.

Oh ye gods are we all old!

Well, you all are.

I never aged past 28

 

[The_Warlock]

9 years old. 1981. I'd seen the boxes and books in The Newsstand book store in late '80. Saved up my allowance and bought the Basic and Expert books (with Erol Otus covers). Then that Christmas, my parents got me the 1E PHB, DMG, and MM.

Hooked for life...chuckle.