CAR-PGa NEWSLETTER
Vol. 28, No. 2
An international network of researchers
into all aspects of role-playing games
February 2019
David Millians, Editor
Paideia School, 1509 Ponce de Leon Avenue,
Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Hi All,
I'm pleased to announce a
few new developments since our last newsletter:
* The web site is now up and
running. We've managed to rescue all the content from the old site and
formatted it. We're still working on a better theme, but we now have a digital home.
You can check it out at: http://www.car-pga.org.
* We received enough
Facebook likes to launch a shortcut to our page. You can see it at http://www.facebook.com/carpga.
* Hawke has volunteered to
work with Paul, our resident archivist and founding member, to help digitize
our paper archives. We look forward to hearing more about this, and you can be
sure the digitized content will appear on the new web site as well as Facebook,
LinkedIn, and Google Groups.
We've still got some
housecleaning to do but we're on the right path. I look forward to connecting
in the near future to discuss revisiting our mission and sharing it with the
digital world.
Sincerely,
Mike Tresca
Committee Chair
BOARD ELECTIONS
This
is the standard notice that anyone wanting to contest an office should state
their platform now. Voting is by the Instant Runoff Voting system - vote for
first, second, third, etc. choice, as far down as you wish (or candidates
exist), and the lowest vote is dropped with the rest of those votes
redistributed until someone gets a majority. This involves the entire Board.
ARTICLES
My Work
By Hawke Robinson
It’s
good to be part of the future of CAR-PGa. Thanks for all your efforts to keep it
afloat and trying to get it to grow. As you may or may not be aware, I'm
juggling 2 separate organizations related to RPGs.
I
get excited every time we try RPGs with someone and their lives get measurably
better! This has for the most part been a recurrent experience and so very
encouraging to motivate taking on the massive amount of (nearly overwhelming)
work to try to improve the reach and benefits.
RPG
Research - 501(c)3 non-profit research and human services charitable
organization studying the effects of all RPG formats and their potential to
help various populations achieve educational, entertainment, recreational, or
therapeutic goals. Working as an open and public central repository of all
related research. And trying to bond the many disparate efforts, communities,
and organizations together, so that there is a reduction in so many people
reinventing the wheel and working in their own silos, so that sharing can help
"float all boats" and advance the studies and use of RPGs in these
different sectors. This organization focuses exclusively on research and
community programs.
RPG
Therapeutics LLC - a professional (for profit) company providing Music &
Recreation Therapy, & Therapeutic Recreation, consulting, publication, and
other related services to individuals, groups, and organizations. The LLC draws
on the research information from RPG Research (once more established), and
provides professional services helping clients achieve their educational,
entertainment, recreational, and therapeutic goals. We are also trying to
establish professional standards of practice in the RPG industry with the
evolving Certified RPG Professional (CRPGP) certification and various
endorsements, and a series of professionally focused books. This organization
does not engage in (outside of our own internal evaluations) major research or
community programs, but 20% of profits are donated to RPG Research.
NEW MATERIAL
FROM
BILL WALTON
Sciullo,
Maria (2019 ) Actor Joe Manganiello brings his love of Dungeons and Dragons to kids
at Pittsburgh hospital. www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2019/01/08/Joe-Manganiello-Dungeons-and-Dragons-Childrens-Hospital-Pittsburgh/stories/201901080140.
Actor teaches and runs the game at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Vice
Shorties (2019 ) Dungeons and Drag Queens. video.vice.com/en_uk/video/vice-dungeons-and-drag-queens/5c3345f0be40775d89102ff1.
Just another gaming group, crossing lines and making friend.
Walton,
Bill (2019 January 13) A swift and much needed kick in the butt, with
advantage, and two natural 20s. quixotist.wordpress.com/2019/01/13/a-swift-and-much-needed-kick-in-the-butt-with-advantage-and-two-natural-20s.
Inspired to set up RPG program at local children’s hospital.
Walton,
Bill (2019 January 13) Submitted. quixotist.wordpress.com/2019/01/13/submitted.
Setting up RPG program at local children’s hospital.
Zachary,
Brandon (2019 January 9) Joe Manganiello Launches Dungeons & Dragons Club
at Children’s Hospital. www.cbr.com/joe-manganiello-dungeons-dragons-club-pittsburgh-hospital.
Actor inspires and gives comfort to sick kids.
FROM
DAVID MILLIANS
@Wizards_DnD
(2019 January 14) Washington State Senator Hobbs in session in Olympia with his
D&D mug. twitter.com/Wizards_DnD/status/1084933215372992512.
Dungeons and Dragons and politicians.
Applecline,
Shannon (2019 January 1) Advanced Designers & Dragons #24: 2018: The Year
in Review. www.rpg.net/columns/advanced-designers-and-dragons/advanced-designers-and-dragons24.phtml.
Memorials, alt-right wars, and more.
Campbell,
Colin (2019 January 22) Dead or Alive 6’s wokeness looks like marketing voodoo.
www.polygon.com/2019/1/22/18192019/dead-or-alive-6-sexualized-characters.
Game clings to raunchy, sexualized character depictions.
Chinn,
Christopher (2019 January 20) Different games, different problems. bankuei.wordpress.com/2019/01/20/different-games-different-problems.
Design and expectations.
Colville,
Matthew (2016 February 21) Intro: Running the Game. www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-YZvLUXcR8.
Matt’s introduction to his YouTube series on gaming and becoming a game master.
Edwards,
Ron (2019 January 13) Monday Lab: Halfbreed. adeptplay.com/seminar-hearts-minds/monday-lab-halfbreed.
Racism in role playing.
Girdwood,
Andrew (2019 January 8) “Chasing our own tail” The RPG community on political
correctness: An interview with Sarah Newton. www.geeknative.com/64405/chasing-our-own-tail-the-rpg-community-on-political-correctness-an-interview-with-sarah-newton.
Be thoughtful but don’t overthink.
GMA
News (2018 December 23) 2 tabeltop RPGs that explore the Filipino and Asian
experience. www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/technology/679171/2-tabletop-rpgs-that-explore-the-filipino-and-asian-experience/story.
Once Upon a Time in Jianghu and Tadhana.
Gore,
Karoline (2019) The Future of RPGs and Technology. columbiagames.com/critical-success-2.
Virtual reality and 3D printing.
Hall,
Charlie (2019 January 15) Tabletop games dominated Kickstarter in 2018, while
video games declined. www.polygon.com/2019/1/15/18184108/kickstarter-2018-stats-tabletop-video-games.
Game crowdfunding continues to shift money to non-digital formats.
Hanlon,
Bunny (2019 January 31) A look at the Roll Inclusive Kickstarter and one of its
editors, Frank Reiss. ineeddiversegames.org/2019/01/31/a-look-at-the-roll-inclusive-kickstarter-and-one-of-its-editors-frank-reiss.
German-language essay collection about and by marginalized people in gaming.
Hardy,
Megan (2019 January) Dungeons and Dragons: A Fun Adventure. outschool.com/classes/dungeons-and-dragons-a-fun-adventure-wAUe5sTq.
Save the land and learn critical thinking, ages 9-14.
Hardy,
Megan (2019 January) Dungeons & Drgons: Creative Cooperative Roleplaying. outschool.com/classes/dungeons-and-dragons-creative-cooperative-roleplaying-kMVGGAfq.
Play and explore the critical thinking behind the game, ages 10-15.
Hern,
Alex (2019 January 21) ‘Heroin for middle-class nerds’: how Warhammer conquered
gaming. .theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jan/21/heroin-for-middle-class-nerds-how-warhammer-took-over-gaming-games-workshop.
Games Workshop has a market capitalization of over a billion pounds, and it
didn’t happen by accident.
Lloyd,
Martin (2019 January 28) Five things I’ve learned gaming with kids. amazing-tales.net/2019/01/28/five-things-ive-learned-gaming-with-my-kids.
Character-focused, action, player energy, puzzles, and the cool.
Necropraxis
(2019 January 16) OSR survey report. www.necropraxis.com/2019/01/16/osr-games.
Which games are OSR and which are people playing.
Necropraxis
(2019 January 18) OSR attributes. necropraxis.com/2019/01/18/osr-attributes.
Emergent play and Gygaxian orthodoxy.
Ocasio-Cortez,
Alexandria (2019 January 22) Can’t wait to do a Twitch 101 class with House
Dems. twitter.com/aoc/status/1087902584600514561.
Freshman congresswoman crashes gaming livestream and wows players.
Richter,
Felix (2019 January 17) Fortnite Made Billions in 2018 Despite Being
Free-to-Play. www.statista.com/chart/16687/top-10-free-to-play-games.
Making money for free.
Richter,
Felix (2019 January 23) U.S. Video Game Sales Reach a New Highscore. www.statista.com/chart/16754/video-game-industry-revenue.
Bigger than movies, music, and home entertainment and growing quickly 2016-2018.
Rowan,
Chris (2019 January) Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons Being the Dungeon
Master. outschool.com/classes/introduction-to-dungeons-and-dragons-being-the-dungeon-master-C6UMnZX2.
Introduction to running the game, ages 8-13.
Shen,
Jill (2019 January 28) China to recognize video gaming as an official
profession. technode.com/2019/01/28/china-grant-recognition-pro-gamers.
Occupation Skill Testing Authority releases list of new job titles.
SXSW
Edu (2018) How Dungeons & Dragons Can Save the World. schedule.sxswedu.com/2018/events/PP76787.
Workshop on the importance of storytelling.
talien
(2019 January 18) World of Design: How “Precise” Should RPG Rules Be?. www.enworld.org/forum/content.php?5965-Worlds-of-Design-How-Precise-Should-RPG-Rules-Be.
Defining precision and its variable necessity in different types of games.
Tauriq
(2019 January 17) On Red Dead Redemption and historical accuracy. ineeddiversegames.org/2019/01/17/on-red-dead-redemption-and-historical-accuracy.
Gaming settings as an excuse for racism.
Wilson,
Austin (2018) Dungeons & Dragons & Digitization. Master’s Thesis
[unpublished]. The role of technology and media in sharing gaming and game
culture with the larger cultural landscape.
Zhu
Bajiee (2019 January 14) When Warhammer Was Radical: The Egalitarian Origins of
the Fantasy Battle Game. wearethemutants.com/2019/01/14/when-warhammer-was-radical-the-egalitarian-origins-of-the-fantasy-battle-game.
Diversity and anti-establishment allusions of the 1980s now lost.
FROM
HAWKE ROBINSON
Lewis,
Danny (2018 January 2) Dungeons and Dragons Rolls Into The Classroom. www.wnyc.org/story/dungeons-and-dragons-critical-hit-classroom.
Using games to teach.
Robinson,
Hawke (2019 January 2) Role-Playing Games and The Deaf Community. www.rpgresearch.com/blog/role-playing-games-and-the-deaf-community.
Links to conversations online and other support.
Robinson,
Hawke (2019 January 3) RPG Professional Game Master Coaching. www.rpgresearch.com/blog/rpg-professional-game-master-coaching.
Hawke’s response to discussion of professional gamer mastering on Quora and RPG
Research’s own options.
Robinson,
Hawke (2019 January 4) Dungeons and Dragons Rolls Into the Classroom (a
response). www.rpgresearch.com/blog/dungeons-and-dragons-rolls-into-the-classroom-a-response.
Thoughts and links in reference to above-cited WNYC piece.
Robinson,
Hawke (2019 January 30) Why “waste” so much time discussing the past?. www.rpgresearch.com/blog/why-waste-so-much-time-on-the-past.
Addressing negative connotations of gaming with new communities.
FROM
MIKE TRESCA
Pulsipher,
Lewis (2019 January 28) Blockchain and RPGS: When Fantasy Meets (Digital)
Reality. www.enworld.org/forum/content.php?5983-Blockchain-and-RPGs-When-Fantasy-Meets-(Digital)-Reality.
Changing the way digital games and data through shared, blockchain techniques.
CONVENTIONS
New listings this month were provided by Paul Cardwell and Lou
Zocchi. Others are urged to submit information. If you attend a convention, be
sure and check the conventions table and let us have a copy of the fliers (or
at very least the when, what, where, and contact information) for upcoming
conventions available there. CAR-PGa is international, so this includes
anywhere in the world.
Dates, precise venue, contacts' URLs or phone numbers, and other
information, where missing from this list, would be particularly
appreciated. If we have missed any, send the information to plcardwell@gmail.com
Convention reviews should be sent to millians.david@paideiaschool.org
"[LARP]" means only LARP events as many RPG cons
include at least some LARP, as likewise applies to the mention of specific game
systems. The same bracketed information applies as well to game systems when
the con will have only those games present.
In an attempt to get more face-to-face meetings of the
membership, we list who will be going to what convention, if they will tell us.
Lou Zocchi will be at Pensacon on February 22-24; Gary Con on March 7-10; and
Tupelo Con on May 7-10. Get this type of information in at least two
months before the convention itself, so we can run it at least once. Support
your local cons by helping in the staff. It is a good way to promote RPG and
you generally get in free for the brief time spent helping.
A review of any attended convention afterwards for the
Newsletter would be appreciated too. These reviews should include demographic
data such as attendance, percentage male/female, white/ethnic minorities (or
whatever is the majority/white/others), games in addition to tabletop RPG, and
more subjective matters such as unusual events, quality of games and dealers'
room, encouragement of new gamers, and whatever seems worth reporting. We need
to work to restore CAR-PGa's reputation as the media's go-to on gamer
demographics, especially since the media are still citing a study that cut off
all those over 35 - at a time when that was the median age of gamers - it is
closer to 40 now - which indicates we also need to work on recruiting younger
players, although some increase in college age players at conventions has been
noted.
February 2019
7-10: Rapier, Jacksonville Airport Doubletree, Jacksonville,
FL; rapiercon.com
[mostly board and miniature]
9: Spaghetti ConJunction, Geek Retreat, 38 The Priory Queensway,
Birmingham, W.Mids; ukroleplayers.com
15-17: Anachrocon, Hilton Airport Atlanta, 1031 Virginia Ave,
Atlanta, GA; anachrocon.com
[alternate history]
15-17: London Anime & Gaming Con, Rocket Complex, London
Metropolitan University, London; londonanimecons.com
15-17: Williamsburg Muster, Clarion Hotel, Williamsburg,
VA; hamptonroadsgamers.org [mostly
wargame]
21-24: Hoop and Stick Con, Ravenwood Castle, 65666 Bethel Rd,
New Plymouth, OH; ravenwoodcastle.com/hoopandstick
22-24: Fire and Ice Convention, Manitowoc County Expo Center,
4921 Expo Dr, Manitowoc, WI; fireandiceconvention.com
22-24: Kami Con, Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100
Richard Arlington Blvd N, Birmingham, AL; kamicon.net
22-24: Marmalade Dog, Bernhard Center, Western Michigan
University, 1903 W Michi Kalamazoo, MI: marmaladedog.org
22-24: Wizard World Comic Con Portland, Oregon Convention
Center, 777 NE MLK Blvd, Portland, OR; wizardworld.com
March 2019
7-10: Garycon, Geneva Ridge Resort, W43400 State Hwy 50, Lake
Geneva, WI; garycon.com
[Zocchi seminars]
8-10: Fogccon, Walnut Creek Marriott, 2355 N Main St, Walnut
Creek, CA; fogcon.org
[primarily writer workshop]
8-10: Joelanta, Marriott Century Century Center, 2000 Century
Center Blvd, Atlanta, GA; joelanta.org
8-10: Madicon, Festival Conference Center, 1301 Carrier Dr,
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA; madicon.org
8-10: TN Game Days, Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, 700 Cool
Springs Blvd, Franklin, TN; tngamedays.com
9: March to Oblivion, InterAction School of Performing Arts, 228
German St, Saint John, NB; impossible realities.com
9-10: Festival du Jeu de Montpellier, Tunnel du Corum,
Montpellier, France; festivaldu-Montpellier.org
14-17: Emerald City Comicon, Washington State Convention Center,
Seattle, WA; emeraldcitycomicop
15-17: GameExpo, Hilton San Antonio Airport, 611 Northwest Loop
410, San Antonio, TX; thegameexpo.com
16: Fandomonium, Alachua County Headquarters Library, 401
University Ave, Gainesville, FL; all events.in/gainseville/gamesville
16-17: SwampCon, Reitz Student Union, 686 Museum Rd, University
of Florida, Gainesville, FL; swamp con.com
18: HerdCon, Marshall University Student Center, 1 John Marshall
Dr, Huntington WV; facebook.com/herdcon
21-24: Lexington ComicCon, Lexington Convention Center, 430 W
Vine, Lexington, KY; lexingtoncomicconl.com
22-24: PlatteCon, Ullsvik Hall, 1 University Plaza University of
Wisconsin Plattesville, Plattesville, WI; plattesvisllegaming.com
22-24: Zenkaikon, Lancaster County Convention Center, Lancaster,
PA; zenkaikon.;com
29-31: International Steampunk Symposium, Crowne Plaza Blue Ash,
5901 Pfeiffer Rd, Cincinnati, OH; thepandorasociety.com/symposium
29-31: Planet Come-on, Kansas City Convention Center, 301
W 13th St, Kansas City, MO;
30-31: Gamer's Equinox, Holiday Inn, 150 George St,
Peterborough, OH; m.pfga.phantascom
30-31: Termninal City Tabletop Convention, Croatian Cultural
Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC; terminalcitytabletop.com
April 2019
11-14: Ambercon, Embassy Suites Detroit-Livonia, 19525 Victor
Pkwy, Livonia, MI; ambercon.com [Amber
Diceless only]
12-14: CodCon, Turner Conference Center, College of DuPage, 425
Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL; codcon.com
26-28: Hydra, Brookfield Scout Camp, Rd 1 562 Moore Valley Rd.,
Wainuiomata, Wellington, NZ; hydra-larps-nz [LARP]
26-28: JordanCon, Crowne Plaza Atlanta, Perimeter Center Pkwy at
Ravinia, Atlanta, GA; jordancon.org
26-28: Koboldcon, Chapel Hills Event Center, 1710 Briargate
Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO; koboldcon.com
May 2019
3-5: ConTRAPtion, Chatsworth Hotel, Worthing, W.Sussex;
ukroleplayers,com
7-10: Tupelo Comic Con, Tupelo Furniture Mart, Bldg 5, 1879
Coley Rd, Tupelo, MS; tupelo.net/events/tupelo-comic-con
10-12: Sferakon, Faculty of Electrical Engineering &
Computing, Unska 3, Zagreb, Croatia; sferakon.org
10-12: Triway Peak, Glenbarr Historic House, Paris Creek Rd,
Stratalbyn, SA; arc-adelaide.com.au [LARP]
10-14: Historicon, Lancaster County Convention Center, 25 S
Queen St, Lancaster, PA hmgs.org
[mainly miniature wargaming]
13-16: Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia, Philadelphia
Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA; wizardworld.com
17-19: Motor City ComicCon, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100
Grand River Ave, Novi, MI; motorcitycomiccon.com
18-19: Beer & Pretzels Games Weekend, Town Hall, King
Edwards Place, Burton on Trent; spiritgames.co.uk
18-19: Tidewater Comicon, Virginia Beach Convention Center,
Virginia Beach, VA; tidewatercomiccon.com
23-26: Momocon, Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young
International Blvd, Atlanta, GA; momocon.com
23-27: KublaCon, Crowne Plaza, San Francisco Airport, 1177
Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA; kublacon.com
24-26: Cherry Capital Comic Con (C4), Grand Traverse Resort, 100
Grand Traverse Village Blvd, Traverse City, MI; cherrycapitalcon.com
24-27: BayCon, San Mateo Marriott San Francisco Airport, 1770 S
Amphlett Blvd, San Mateo, CA; baycon.org
24-27: BGG Spring, Hyatt Regency DFW Airport, 2334 N
International Pkwy, DFW Airport, TX; boardgamegeek.com
24-27: Miscon, Holliday Inn Missoula Downtown, Missoula, OR;
miscon.org24-27: Gamex, Hilton Los Angeles Airport, 5711 W. Century Blvd, Los
Angeles, CA; strategicon.net
31-June1: Hamburger Spieletage, Hamburg Haus Eimsbüttel,
Doormannsweg 12, Hamburg; hamburger-spieletage.de
31-June 3: Geysercon, Holiday Inn Rotorua, Tryon St,
Rotorua; geyscon.nz
©
Copyright 2019 by the Committee for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games
(CAR-PGa), ISSN 1071 7129. The CAR-PGa Newsletter is a monthly publication. For
more information contact David Millians, Editor, Paideia School, 1509 Ponce de
Leon Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA, phone (404) 808-1070, fax (404)
377-3491, e-mail millians.david@paideiaschool.org.
Back issues are available. Contributions of material from the membership are
urged, and the byline is responsible for content. Deadline is the last weekday
of the month, email preferred. Permission is granted to copy anything in the
Newsletter, provided we get a credit line in the publication copying it, and it
doesn't have someone else's copyright on it. Information, including details on
joining CAR-PGa, can be obtained on the Internet at car-pga.org.
