The Legacy of Tabletop Role-Playing Games: Shaping Contemporary Game Design

Published

12-2-2024

Type of Work

Conference Presentation

Abstract

In this study, we have delved into game design elements in certain modern games and argue that traditional tabletop role-playing games (TRPGs), such as Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) (Gygax et al., 1981), and their design legacies continue to shape and influence modern game design (Wainwright, 2021; Ho, 2014). These contemporary games themselves serve as sources of inspiration for many other modern games, in turn, acting as a bridge between traditional TRPGs and the digital realm of CRPGs and other genres (Wainwright, 2021). This symbiotic relationship, therefore, indeed demonstrates the profound and enduring impact of TRPGs on the gaming industry as a whole, a legacy likely to persist for generations to come.

Notes

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Citation

Wainwright, M., & Ho, P.-I. (2024). The legacy of tabletop role‑playing games: Shaping contemporary game design. In Proceedings of DiGRAA Australia 2024. Digital Games Research Association Australia. https://digraa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DiGRAA24-15-Wainwright-Ho.pdf

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