Page History

redirect|D&D
otheruses1|the role-playing game
{{infobox RPG

title=Dungeons & Dragons

image=[Image:WotC Dungeons & Dragons.jpg] <!-- FAIR USE of WotC Dungeons & Dragons.jpg: see image description page at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:WotC^{Image Removed}

Dungeons & Dragons.jpg for rationale -->

caption=The 3rd Edition ''Dungeons & Dragons'' logo

designer=[Gary Gygax] and [Dave Arneson]; 3rd Edition by [Monte Cook], [Jonathan Tweet] and [Skip Williams]

publisher=[TSR, Inc.]<br />[Wizards of the Coast]

date=1974 (Original)<br />1977-79 (1st Edition)<br />1989 (2nd Edition)<br />2000 (3rd Edition)<br />2003 (v.3.5) <br />2008<ref name="4-ward at Gen Con"/> (4th Edition)

genre=[Fantasy]

system=[d20 system]
}}
'''''Dungeons & Dragons''''' (abbreviated as '''''D&D''''' or '''''DnD''''') is a [fantasy] [role-playing game] (RPG) originally designed by [Gary Gygax] and [Dave Arneson], and first published in 1974 by the Gygax-owned company [TSR, Inc.] (TSR). The game is currently published by [Wizards of the Coast], a division of [Hasbro]. It was derived from [Miniature wargaming]s, with a variation of the ''[chainmail (game)]'' game serving as the initial rule system.<ref name="Banshee_Gygax" /> ''D&D'''s publication is widely regarded as the beginning of modern role-playing games, and, by extension, the entire role-playing game industry.<ref name="culture">{{cite book

author=Williams, J. P.; Hendricks, S. Q.; Winkler, W. K.

year=2006

chapter=Introduction: Fantasy Games, Gaming Cultures, and Social Life

title=Gaming as Culture, Essays on Reality, Identity and Experience in Fantasy Games

publisher=Oxford University Press

location=McFarland & Company

id=ISBN 0-7864-2436-2 }}</ref>

Players of ''D&D'' create [Player character]s that embark upon imaginary adventures within a fantasy [setting (literature)]. A [Dungeon Master] (DM) serves as the game's referee and storyteller, while also maintaining the setting in which the adventures occur. During each game session, the players listen to descriptions of their character's surroundings, as well as additional information and potential choices from the DM, then describe their actions in response. The characters form a party that interacts with the setting's inhabitants (and each other), solves dilemmas, engages in battles and gathers treasure and knowledge.<ref name="culture" /> In the process the characters earn [experience points] to become increasingly powerful over a series of sessions. ''D&D'' departs from traditional wargaming and assigns each player a specific [fictional character] to play. Miniature figures or markers, placed on a grid, are sometimes used to represent these characters.

The early success of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' led to a proliferation of similar game systems, such as ''[Tunnels and Trolls]'',<ref name="hist2" /> ''[Traveller (role-playing game)]'' and ''[RuneQuest]''.<ref name="hist_schick">(Schick 1991:17-34)</ref> Despite this competition, ''D&D'' dominates the role-playing game industry, enjoying a nearly unassailable market position.<ref>[Monte Cook], former D&D designer and an independent publisher, describes the extent of D&D's lead in these extreme terms: "Frankly, the difference in sales between Wizards and all other producers of roleplaying games is so staggering that even saying there is an 'RPG industry' at all may be generous."
{{cite web

last =Cook

first =Monte

authorlink =Monte Cook

title = The Open Game License as I See It, Part II

url =

http://www.montecook.com/cgi-bin/page.cgi?mc_los_155^{Image Removed}

publisher = montecook.com

accessdate = 2007-03-15 }}
</ref> In 1977, the game was split into two versions: the simpler ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and the more complex ''[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Advanced Dungeons .26 Dragons]'' (abbreviated as ''AD&D'' or ''ADnD''').<ref>{{cite journal

last = Gygax

first = Gary

authorlink =Gary Gygax

title = From the Sorcerer's Scroll: D&D®, AD&D® and Gaming

journal = [Dragon (magazine)] #26

volume =Vol. III

issue =No. 12

pages =28-30

publisher =[TSR, Inc.]

year =1979

month =June
}}
</ref> In 2000, the simpler version of the game was discontinued and the complex version was renamed simply ''Dungeons & Dragons'' with the release of its 3rd Edition.<ref name="WTNI">[Peter Adkison] "What to Name it?" in ''Third Edition'' chapter of Jonhson et al. (2004:253)</ref> The current version of the game, released in July 2003, is ''Dungeons & Dragons v.3.5'' (also known as the Revised 3rd Edition or ''D&D3.5''). Wizards of the Coast has announced that the fourth edition of the game will be released in May 2008.<ref name="4DAnnounce">{{cite web

url =

http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Press/?doc=20070816b^{Image Removed}

title = Dungeons & Dragons Flashes 4-Ward at Gen Con

accessdate = 2007-08-31

date=[August 16], [2007]

publisher = Wizards of the Coast
}} (Press release)</ref>

[As of 2006], ''Dungeons & Dragons'' remains the best-known<ref>According to a 1999 survey in the [United States] 6% of 12 to 35 year olds have played roleplaying games. Of those who play regularly, two thirds play D&D! {{cite paper

author =Ryan S. Dancey

title =Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs)

version =V1.0

publisher =Wizards of the Coast

date =[February 7], [2000]

url =

http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/wotcdemo.html^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-02-23 }}</ref> and best-selling<ref>Products branded ''Dungeons & Dragons'' made up over fifty percent of the RPG products sold in 2005. {{cite web

last = Hite

first = Kenneth

title = State of the Industry 2005: Another Such Victory Will Destroy Us

publisher = GamingReport.com

date = [March 30], [2006]

url =

http://www.gamingreport.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=printpage&artid=186^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-02-21 }}
</ref> role-playing game, with an estimated 20 million people having played the game and more than [United States dollar]1 billion in book and equipment sales.<ref>{{cite news

last = Waters

first = Darren

title = What happened to Dungeons and Dragons?

publisher = BBC News Online

date = [April 26], [2004]

url =

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3655627.stm^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-02-21 }}
</ref> Dungeons & Dragons is known beyond the game for other [Dungeons & Dragons related products], references in popular culture and some of the [Dungeons & Dragons controversies] that have surrounded it, particularly a [moral panic] in the 1980s falsely linking it to [Satanism] and [suicide].<ref name="Moral Panic" />

== Play overview ==

[Image:Dungeons and Dragons game.jpg]

''Dungeons & Dragons'' is a structured yet open-ended role-playing game. It is normally played indoors with the participants seated around a table-top. Typically, each player controls only a single character.<ref>Sometimes if not enough players, each may control more than one character. The ''[Dungeons & Dragons Basic Game]'' suggests, "If there are characters left over, some players may play more than one (but they don't have to)". (Tweet 2004) Read This First sheet.</ref> As a group, these [player characters] (PCs) are often described as a 'party' of adventurers, with each often having his or her own areas of specialized talents.<ref>(Slavicsek & Baker 2005:268) Chapter 21:Roleplaying and Working Together</ref> During the course of play, each player directs the actions of his or her character and its interactions with the other characters in the game.<ref>(Tweet 2003:5)</ref><ref name="waskul">{{cite book

last=Waskul	first=Dennis D.
editor=Williams, J. P.; Hendricks, S. Q.; Winkler, W. K.
year=2006
chapter=The Role-Playing Game and the Game of Role-Playing
title=Gaming as Culture, Essays on Reality, Identity and Experience in Fantasy Games
publisher=Oxford University Press
location=McFarland & Company
id=ISBN 0-7864-2436-2 }}</ref> A game often continues over a series of meetings to complete a single [Adventure (role-playing games)], and longer into a series of related gaming adventures, called a '[Campaign (role-playing games)]'.<ref>"Encounters are to adventures what adventures are to campaigns" (Cook 2003:129) Introduction of Chapter Five: Campaigns</ref>

The results of the party's choices and the overall storyline for the game are determined by the [Dungeon Master] (DM) according to the rules of the game and the DM's interpretation of those rules.<ref>(Cook 2003:4) The Dungeon Master</ref> The DM selects and describes the various [non-player character]s (NPCs) the party encounters, the settings in which these interactions occur, and the outcomes of those encounters based on the players' choices and actions.<ref>(Slavicsek & Baker 2005:293) Chapter 23: Running the Game </ref><ref name="waskul" /> Encounters often take the form of battles with '[monster]s'—a generic term used in ''D&D'' to describe potentially hostile beings such as animals or mythical creatures. The game's extensive rules—which cover diverse subjects such as social interactions,<ref>(Cook 2003:98) Urban Adventures</ref> [Spells of Dungeons & Dragons],<ref>(Gygax 1979:114) Magical Research</ref> [combat],<ref>(Tweet 2003:114) Combat</ref> and the effect of [Natural environment] on PCs<ref>{{cite book

last =Mohan

first =Kim

title =Wilderness Survival Guide

publisher =TSR

year=1986

isbn =088038-291-0 }}</ref>—help the DM to make these decisions. The Dungeon Master may choose to deviate from the published rules<ref>(Cook 2003:4) The purpose of sidebars</ref> or make up new ones as he or she feels necessary.<ref>(Tweet 2004:32) Make It Up</ref>

[Image:Dnd v3 5 rulesbooks.png]
The most recent versions of the game's rules are detailed in three [Dungeons & Dragons manuals]: The ''[Player's Handbook]'', the ''[Dungeon Master's Guide]'' and the ''[Monster Manual]''.<ref>The v.3.5. versions of these three books, Tweet (2003), Cook (2003) and Williams (2003), are also available together in a slipcase as ''Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebook Gift Set'' ISBN 0-78693-410-7 </ref> A ''[Dungeons & Dragons Basic Game]'' boxed set contains abbreviated rules to help beginners learn the game.<ref>As of 2007 there have been two version of the basic game. Both contained a cut down, introductory version of the D&D v.3.5 rules, [miniature figures], [Dice#Standard variations] and dungeon map tiles with a 1[Inch] grid (Tweet 2004) and (Slavicsek & Sernett 2006). </ref>

The only items required to play the game are the rulebooks, a character sheet for each player and a number of [dice#non-cubical dice]. The current editions also assume (but do not technically require) the use of [Miniature figure (gaming)]s or markers on a gridded surface, items that were optional in earlier editions.<ref>{{cite web

title = What Is D&D?

publisher = [Wizards of the Coast]

url =

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/whatisdnd^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-02-21 }}
</ref> Many optional accessories are available to enhance the game, such as expansion rulebooks, pre-designed [Adventure (Dungeons & Dragons)] and various [Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings].<ref>(Slavicsek & Baker 2005:363) Chapter 30: The Ten Best Dungeon Master Resources</ref>

=== Game mechanics ===
main|Game mechanics (Dungeons & Dragons)

[[Image:DnD Dice Set.jpg|thumb|250px|left|D&D uses [Polyhedron] dice to resolve random events. From left, 4-, 6-, 8-, 12-, 20- and two 10-sided dice.]]

Before the game begins, each player [character creation] his or her player character (PC) and records the details (described below) on a [character sheet]. First, a player rolls dice to determine his or her character's [Game mechanics (Dungeons & Dragons)#ability scores],<ref>While the original game used 3d6 (Gygax & Arneson 1974) and this continued as the standard version with some version, though variants have been included (Gygax 1979:11), the standard for 3rd edition is "rolling four six-sided dice, ignoring the lowest die, and totaling the other three" (Tweet 2000:4).</ref> which consist of strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom and charisma.<ref>Given is the current standard order for ability scores. Before 2nd edition AD&D they were always ordered strength, intelligence, wisdom, dexterity, constitution and charisma.</ref> The player then chooses a [Race (fantasy)] (species), a [Character class (Dungeons & Dragons)] (occupation), an [Alignment (Dungeons & Dragons)] (a moral and ethical outlook) and a number of skills and feats to enhance the character's basic abilities.<ref>(Tweet 2000:4) Character Creation Basics</ref> Additional [back-story], not covered by specific rules, is often also used to further develop the character.<ref>(Gygax 1978:34) Establishing the Character</ref>

During the game, players describe their PC's intended actions, such as punching an opponent or picking a lock, and converse with the DM [in character]—who then describes the result or response.<ref>(Tweet 2004:24) Exploring</ref> Trivial actions, such as picking up a letter or opening an unlocked door, are usually automatically successful. The outcomes of more complex or risky actions are determined by rolling dice.<ref name="waskul" /> Factors contributing to the outcome include the character's ability scores, skills and the difficulty of the task.<ref>(Tweet 2003:62) Using Skills</ref> In circumstances where a character does not have control of an event, such as when a trap or a magical effect is triggered, a [saving throw] can be used to determine whether the resulting damage is reduced or avoided.<ref>"Generally, when you are subject to an unusual or magical attack, you get a saving throw to avoid or reduce the effect." There is identical language in sections titled 'Saving Throws' in (Tweet 2003:136) and (Tweet 2000:119).</ref> In this case the odds of success are influenced by the character's class, levels and (with the 3rd edition) ability scores.<ref>Sections entitled 'Saving Throws' in (Tweet 2003:136) and (Tweet 2000:119-120).</ref>

As the game is played, each PC grows and changes over time as they gain experience. Characters gain (or sometimes lose) experience, skills,<ref>(Cook 2003:197) How PCs Improve</ref> wealth, and may even change alignment<ref>Early editions did not allow or had severe penalties for changing alignment (Gygax 1979a:24) but more recent versions are more allowing of change. (Cook 2003:134)</ref> or add additional character classes.<ref>(Tweet 2003:59) Multiclass Characters</ref> One key way characters progress is by earning [experience points] (XP) when they defeat an enemy or accomplish a difficult task.<ref>(Gygax 1979:84) Experience</ref> Acquiring enough XP allows a PC to advance a [Experience point#Level-based progression], which grants the character improved class features, abilities and skills.<ref>(Tweet 2003:58) Experience and Levels</ref> XP can also be lost in some circumstances, such as encounters with creatures that drain life energy, or by use of certain magical powers that require payment of an XP cost.<ref>(Cook 2003:46) Experience Penalties</ref>

[Hit point]s (HP) are a measure of a character's vitality and health and are determined by the class, level and constitution of each character. They can be temporarily lost when a character sustains wounds in combat or otherwise comes to harm, and loss of HP is the most common way for a character to die in the game.<ref>(Tweet 2003:145) Injury and Death</ref> Death can also result from the loss of key ability scores<ref>(Cook 2003:289) Ability Score Loss</ref> or character levels.<ref>(Cook 2003:296) Level Loss</ref> When a PC dies, it is often possible for the dead character to be resurrected through magic, although some penalties may be imposed as a result. If resurrection is not possible or not desired, the player may instead create a new PC to resume playing the game.<ref>(Cook 2003:41) Character Death</ref>

=== Adventures and campaigns ===

{{main|Adventure (Dungeons & Dragons) }}

A typical ''Dungeons & Dragons'' game consists of an 'adventure', which is roughly equivalent to a single story.<ref>(Cook 2003:43) Chapter Three: Adventures</ref> The DM can either design an adventure on his or her own, or use one of the [List of Dungeons & Dragons adventures] (previously known as [List of Dungeons & Dragons modules]) that have been published throughout the history of ''Dungeons & Dragons''. Published adventures typically include a background story, illustrations, maps and goals for PCs to achieve. Some also include location descriptions and handouts. Although a small adventure entitled '[Temple of the Frog]' was included in the ''[Blackmoor#Original Publication]'' rules supplement in 1975,<ref>{{cite book

first=Dave	last=Arneson	authorlink=Dave Arneson
date=[January 1], [1975]
title=Dungeons & Dragons Supplement II: Blackmoor
pages=60 p	publisher=TSR Games
location=Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
url= http://www.jovianclouds.com/blackmoor/D&D%20-%20Supplement%202%20-%20Blackmoor%20(TSR2004).pdf^{Image Removed}	format = PDF
accessdate=2007-08-02
isbn=0007302800 }}</ref> the first stand-alone D&D module published by TSR was 1978's ''[Steading of the Hill Giant Chief]'', written by Gygax.<ref>{{cite web
last=Rausch	first=Allen	date=[August 16], [2004]
url= http://au.pc.gamespy.com/articles/538/538820p3.html^{Image Removed}
title=Gary Gygax Interview—Part 2
publisher=GameSpy	accessdate=2007-08-02 }}—''[Steading of the Hill Giant Chief]'' was the first module of the three-part 'Against the Giants' series.</ref>

A linked series of adventures is commonly referred to as a '[Campaign (role-playing games)]'.<ref>"A D&D campaign is an organized framework ... to provide a realistic setting for a series of fantastic adventures." (Schend et al. 1991:256)</ref> The locations where these adventures occur, such as a city, country, planet or an entire [fictional universe], are also sometimes called 'campaigns' but are more correctly referred to as 'worlds' or '[campaign setting]s'.<ref>"It is important to distinguish between a campaign and a world, since the terms often seem to be used interchangeably ... A world is a fictional place in which a campaign is set. It's also often called a campaign setting." (Cook 2003:129)</ref> ''D&D'' settings are based in various [fantasy subgenres] and feature varying levels of magic and technology.<ref>(Williams 1995:45) Properties of Worlds</ref> Popular commercially published [Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings] include [Greyhawk], [Dragonlance], [Forgotten Realms], [Mystara], [Spelljammer], [Ravenloft], [Dark Sun], [Planescape], [Birthright (campaign setting)] and [Eberron].<ref>Greyhawk, Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, Mystara, Spelljammer, Ravenloft, Dark Sun and Planescape are the campaign settings given their own chapter in Johnson et al. (2004). Eberron was only released in 2004 and, as of 2007, is one of two campaign settings, the other being Forgotten Realms, still actively supported with new releases by Wizards of the Coast.</ref> Alternatively, DMs may develop their own fictional worlds to use as campaign settings.

=== Miniature figures ===

[Image:Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures 2.jpg]

The wargames from which ''Dungeons & Dragons'' evolved used [Miniature figure (gaming)]s to represent combatants. ''D&D'' initially continued the use of miniatures in a fashion similar to its direct precursors. The original ''D&D'' set of 1974 required the use of the ''Chainmail'' miniatures game for combat resolution.<ref>(Johnson et al. 2004:23)</ref> By the publication of the 1977 game editions, combat was mostly resolved verbally. Thus miniatures were no longer required for game play, although some players continued to use them as a visual reference.<ref>The first Dungeon Masters Guide gave only a quarter of a page out of a total 240 pages to discussing the option use of miniatures (Gygax 1979:10) Use of Miniature Figures with the Game.</ref>

In the 1970s, numerous companies began to sell miniature figures specifically for ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and similar games. In 1977, the British manufacturer [Minifigs] became the first company to partner with [TSR, Inc.] and release miniatures under the official Dungeons and Dragons label.<ref>{{cite web

last = Beattie

first = Robert

title = A Timeline of the Historical Miniatures Wargaming Hobby

publisher = ''[The Courier (magazine)]'' <!-- Who is this? This web page was originally authored as part of a web site for a now defunct print magazine. Magazine's site linking to it:

http://web.archive.org/web/20040828001501/http://www.thecouriermagazine.com/^{Image Removed}

. Magazine going defunct:

http://web.archive.org/web/20050204145011/http://thecouriermagazine.com/index.html^{Image Removed}

-->

url =

http://www-personal.umich.edu.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/~beattie/timeline2.html^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2006-06-08 }}
</ref> Other licensed [Miniature figure#Manufacturers] who produced official figures include [Grenadier Miniatures] (1980-1983),<ref>{{cite web

last =Pope

first =Thomas

title = Grenadier Models, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons

publisher =The Stuff of Legends

date =[March 25], [2004]

url =

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tpope/sol/grenadier/advanced_dnd.html^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-02-21 }}
</ref> [Citadel Miniatures] (1984-1986),<ref>{{cite web

last = Scott

first = Richard

title = Otherworld, The Citadel AD&D Miniatures Range

publisher = Otherworld Miniatures

url =

http://otherworld.me.uk/^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-02-21 }}
</ref> [Ral Partha],<ref>{{cite web

last =Pope

first =Thomas

title = Ral Partha

publisher =The Stuff of Legends

date =[February 27], [2000]

url =

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tpope/sol/ral-partha/index.html^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-02-28 }}
</ref> and TSR itself.<ref>{{cite web

last =Pope

first =Thomas

title = TSR—AD&D

publisher =The Stuff of Legends

date =[November 5], [1999]

url =

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tpope/sol/tsr/adnd.html^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-02-28 }}
</ref> Most of these miniatures used the 25 [Millimetre] scale, with the exception of Ral Partha's 15 mm scale miniatures for the 1st edition Battlesystem.<ref>For a list the 15 mm Ral Partha Battlesystem figures see
{{cite web

last =Moore

first =Jeff

title =15mm Scale Fantasy Figures

publisher =Humberside Wargames Society

url =

http://www.barr.karoo.net/hws/dbx/fantfigs.htm^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-03-17 }}
</ref><ref>For a photographic example of a 15 mm Ral Partha Battlesystem figure see {{cite web

last =McCuen

first =Mike

title =15mm BATTLESYSTEM PALADIN 1994

publisher =Small Obsessions

year=2002

url =

http://games.necrosys.com/gal_paladin.shtml^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-03-17 }}</ref>

Periodically, ''Dungeons & Dragons'' has returned to its wargaming roots with supplementary rules systems for miniatures-based wargaming. Supplements such as ''[Battlesystem]'' (1985 & 1989)<ref>{{cite book

last =Niles

first =Douglas

authorlink =Douglas Niles

title =Battlesystem: Fantasy Combat Supplement

publisher =TSR

year=1985

format=boxed set

isbn =0880383437 }}
</ref><ref>{{cite book

last =Niles

first =Douglas

title =Battlesystem

publisher =TSR

year=1989

isbn = 0-88038-770-X }}
</ref> and a new edition of ''[Chainmail (game)]'' (2001)<ref>{{cite book

last =Tweet

first =Jonathan

authorlink =Jonathan Tweet

coauthors =Chris Pramas, Mike McVey

title =Rulebook: Dungeons & Dragons Chainmail Game

publisher =[Wizards of the Coast]

year=2001
}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web

author=Staff

year=2001

url=

http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2001^{Image Removed}

title=List of Winners

publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design

accessdate=2007-09-01
}}</ref> provided rule systems to handle battles between armies by using miniatures.

''Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition'' (2000) assumes the use of [miniature figure] to represent combat situations in play, an aspect of the game that was further emphasized in the v3.5 revision. The ''[Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game]'' (2003) is sold as sets of plastic, randomly assorted, pre-painted miniatures, and can be used as either part of a standard ''Dungeons & Dragons'' game or as a stand-alone [collectible miniatures game].<ref>{{cite web

last =Tweet

first =Jonathan

authorlink =Jonathan Tweet

title =What Are D&D Miniatures?

publisher =[Wizards of the Coast]

date =[May 20], [2004]

url =

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mi/20040520b^{Image Removed}

accessdate =2007-02-28 }}
</ref>

== Game history ==

[[Image:Chainmail 3rd edition.jpg|thumb|175px|right|''[Chainmail (game)]'', a ''Dungeons & Dragons'' predecessor.]]

=== Sources and influences ===
main|Sources and influences on the development of Dungeons & Dragons

The immediate predecessor of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' was a set of medieval miniature rules written by Jeff Perren. These were expanded by [Gary Gygax], whose additions included a fantasy supplement, before the game was published as [Chainmail (game)]. [Dave Arneson] used Chainmail to run games where players controlled a single character instead of an army, an innovation that inspired ''D&D''.<ref name="Banshee_Gygax">{{cite web

last =Birnbaum

first =Jon

title =Gary Gygax Interview

publisher =Game Banshee

url =

http://www.gamebanshee.com/interviews/garygygax1.php^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-03-01 }}
</ref>

Many ''Dungeons & Dragons'' elements also appear in hobbies of the mid- to late twentieth century (though these elements also existed previously). Character-based role playing, for example, can be seen in [historical reenactment]<ref>{{cite news

first=Scott	last=Berg	title=Battlefield of Dreams
publisher=The Washington Post	date=[October 19], [2001]
url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A15367-2001Oct18^{Image Removed}
accessdate=2007-08-12 }}—by way of example.</ref> and [improvisational theatre].<ref>{{cite conference
first=Robert	last=Grigg
title=Albert Goes Narrative Contracting
booktitle=DiGRA 2005 Papers
publisher=Simon Fraser University
date=June 16-20, 2005
location=Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
url= http://hdl.handle.net.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/1892/1547^{Image Removed}
accessdate=2007-08-12 }}</ref> Game-world simulations were well-developed in [wargaming]. Fantasy milieus specifically designed for gaming could be seen in [Glorantha]'s board games among others.<ref name="hist_schick" /> Ultimately, however, ''Dungeons & Dragons'' represents a unique blending of these elements.

The theme of D&D was influenced by [mythology], [pulp magazine], and contemporary fantasy authors of the 1960s and 1970s. The presence of [halflings], [Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)], [Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)], [half-elf], [Orc (Dungeons & Dragons)], [Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)] and the like often draw comparisons to the work of [Tolkien]. Gygax maintains that he was influenced very little by ''[The Lord of the Rings]'' (although the owners of that work's copyright forced the name change of hobbit to halfling, ent to treant, and balrog to Type VI demon (balor)), stating that he included these elements as a marketing move to draw on the popularity of the work.<ref>{{cite journal

last =Kuntz

first =Rob

authorlink =Robert J. Kuntz

title = Tolkien in Dungeons & Dragons

journal = [Dragon (magazine)] #13

volume =Vol. II

issue =No. 7

pages =8

publisher =TSR Hobbies, Inc.

date = April 1978

accessdate = }}</ref><ref name="Dragon95">{{cite journal

last =Gygax

first =Gary

authorlink =Gary Gygax

title = On the influence of J.R.R. Tolkien on the D&D and AD&D games

journal = [Dragon (magazine)] #95

volume =Vol. IX

issue =No. 10

pages =12-13

publisher =TSR Hobbies, Inc.

date = March 1985

issn = 0279-6848}}
</ref>

The magic system, in which wizards memorize spells that are forgotten once cast, was heavily influenced by the ''[Dying Earth series]'' stories and novels of [Jack Vance].<ref>{{cite journal

last = Gygax

first = Gary

authorlink =Gary Gygax

title = The Dungeons and Dragons Magic System

journal = The Strategic Review

volume =Vol. II

issue =No. 2

pages =3

publisher =TSR Hobbies, Inc.

date = April 1976}}
</ref> The original alignment system (which grouped all players and creatures into 'Law', 'Neutrality' and 'Chaos') was derived from the novel ''[Three Hearts and Three Lions]'' by [Poul Anderson].<ref name="lit_source" /> A troll described in this work also influenced the D&D definition of that monster.<ref name="Dragon95" />

Other influences include the works of [Robert E. Howard], [Edgar Rice Burroughs], [A. Merritt], [H.P. Lovecraft], [Fritz Leiber], [L. Sprague de Camp], [Fletcher Pratt], [Roger Zelazny], and [Michael Moorcock].<ref>The first seven listed here are the "most immediate influences". (Gygax 1979a:224) Appendix N: Inspirational and Educational Reading</ref> Monsters, spells, and magic items used in the game have been inspired by hundreds of individual works ranging from [Van vogt] "The Destroyer" (the [Displacer Beast]), [Lewis Carroll]'s "[Jabberwocky]" ([vorpal] sword) to the Book of [Genesis] (the clerical spell 'Blade Barrier' was inspired by the "flaming sword which turned every way" at the gates of [Garden of Eden]).<ref name="lit_source">{{cite web

last =DeVarque

first =Aardy R.

title =Literary Sources of D&D

publisher = Rec.games.frp.dnd FAQs

url =

http://www.geocities.com/rgfdfaq/sources.html^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-02-21 }}
</ref>

=== Edition history ===
main|Editions of Dungeons & Dragons
''Dungeons & Dragons'' has gone through several revisions. Parallel versions and inconsistent naming practices can make it difficult to distinguish between the different editions.
[Image&d Box1st.jpg]

The original ''Dungeons and Dragons'' (now referred to as OD&D) was a small box set of three booklets published in 1974.<ref>(Gygax & Arneson 1974)</ref> Amateurish in production and written from a perspective which assumed the reader had familiarity with wargaming, it nevertheless exploded in popularity, first among wargamers and then expanding to a more general audience of [college] and [high school] students. This first set went through many printings and was supplemented with several official additions (such as the original [Greyhawk#Publications] and [Blackmoor] modules, both 1975<ref>(Schick 1991:132-153)</ref>) and magazine articles, both in TSR's official publications and countless [fanzine]s.

In 1977, TSR created the first element of a two-pronged strategy that would divide the D&D game for over two decades. A ''Basic Dungeons & Dragons'' boxed set was introduced<ref name="tsr_history" /> to clean up the presentation of the essential rules, make the system understandable to people who had never played wargames before, and put it all in a package allowing the game to be stocked on common retail shelves. In 1978 ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (AD&D) was published,<ref name="tsr_history" /> an attempt to bring together all the rules, options and corrections spread across the various D&D publications and expand them into a single unified and definitive game. The original plan was that the 'basic' game would be targeted to toy stores and the general public, while the 'advanced' game would be marketed to existing hobbyist gamers. Players who exhausted the possibilities of the basic game were directed in that set to switch to the advanced game. However, this plan went awry nearly from inception, as the basic game included many rules and concepts which contradicted comparable ones in the advanced game. The cause of this seems to have been a difference of design philosophy; Gygax, who wrote the advanced game, wanted an expansive game with rulings on any conceivable situation which might come up during play, a document which could be used to arbitrate disputes at tournaments. J. Eric Holmes, the editor of the basic game, preferred a lighter tone with more room for personal improvisation. Confusing matters further, the original crude D&D boxed set continued to be printed and sold well into 1979, since it remained a healthy seller for TSR. Thus three different versions of the game were being published concurrently.<ref name="hist_schick" />

In 1981 ''Basic Dungeons & Dragons'' was revised by Tom Moldvay. However, for reasons that are debated to this day, the game was not brought in line with AD&D but instead was made even more different. Thus the Dungeons & Dragons game (sometimes called ''Basic D&D'' to distinguish it from ''AD&D'', though TSR never referred to the entire system as such) became a separate and distinct product from TSR's flagship game AD&D. Discrete sets of increasing power levels were introduced as expansions for the basic game.<ref>{{cite journal

last =Gygax

first =Gary

authorlink =Gary Gygax

title =Dungeons & Dragons: What Is It and Where Is It Going?

journal =[Dragon (magazine)] #21

volume =Vol. III

issue =No. 8

pages =29-30

publisher =[TSR, Inc.]

year =1978

month = December

issn = 1062-2101 }}
</ref> However, after the first version of the Basic Set this game was promoted as an evolution of original D&D and distinct from ''AD&D''.<ref name="dragon26" /> Although simpler overall than the 'Advanced' game, it included rules for some situations not covered in ''AD&D''. There were five sets: ''Basic'' (1977, revised in 1981 and again in 1983),<ref>(Gygax & Arneson 1977, 1981a & 1983a)</ref> ''Expert'' (1981, revised in 1983),<ref>(Gygax & Arneson 1981b & 1983b)</ref> ''Companion'' (1983),<ref>(Mentzer 1985)</ref> ''Master'' (1985),<ref>(Gygax & Mentzer 1985)</ref> and ''Immortals'' (1986, 1991)<ref>(Mentzer 1986) & (Allston 1992)</ref> each covering game play for higher character experiences levels than the former. The first four sets were later compiled as a single hardcover book, the ''Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia'' (1991).<ref>(Schend et al. 1991)</ref>

'''''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons''''' (or ''AD&D'') was a more complex version of the game. It was designed to create a tighter more structured game system than the loose framework of the original game.<ref name="dragon26">{{cite journal

last =Gygax

first =Gary

authorlink =Gary Gygax

title =D&D, AD&D and Gaming

journal =[Dragon (magazine)] #26

volume =Vol. III

issue =No. 12

pages =29-30

publisher =[TSR, Inc.]

year =1979

month = June

issn = 1062-2101 }}
</ref> While seen by many as a revision of D&D,<ref name="WTNI" /> AD&D was at time declared to be "neither an expansion nor a revision of the old game, it is a new game".<ref name="dragon26" /> The ''AD&D'' game was not intended to be directly compatible with ''D&D'' and requires some conversion to play between the rule sets.<ref>(Schend et al. 1991:291) Appendix 2: AD&D Game Conversions</ref> The term ''Advanced'' describes the more complex rules and does not imply "for higher-level gaming abilities". Between 1977 and 1979, three hardcover rulebooks, commonly referred to as the 'core rulebooks', were released: The ''[Player's Handbook]'' (PHB),<ref>(Gygax 1978)</ref> the ''[Dungeon Master's Guide]'' (DMG),<ref>(Gygax 1979a)</ref> and the ''[Monster Manual]'' (MM).<ref>(Gygax 1977)</ref> Several additional books published throughout the 1980s, notably ''[Unearthed Arcana]'' (1985),<ref>(Gygax 1985)</ref> included a large number of new rules.<ref name="tsr_history" />

[Image:DungeonMasterGuide4Cover.jpg]

'''''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition''''' (sometimes referred to as ''AD&D2'' or ''2nd Ed'') was published in 1989,<ref name="tsr_history" /> once again as three core rulebooks. The ''Monster Manual'' was replaced by the ''[Monstrous Compendium]'', a loose-leaf binder which was later replaced by the hardcover ''[Monstrous Manual]'' in 1993. The release of ''AD&D2'' also corresponded with an effort to remove aspects of the game which had attracted negative publicity. This edition removed references to demons and devils, suggestive artwork, and playable, evil-aligned character types (such as assassins and half-orcs).<ref name="Dragon 154" /> Aside from these revisions the rules underwent a number of minor changes including for the addition of non-weapon proficiencies (which are skill-like abilities that originally appeared in 1st Edition supplements) and the division of magic spells into schools and spheres.<ref>{{cite web

last =Hahn
first =Joel A
coauthors =Lawrence 'DMGorgon' Mead, Ian Malcomson, Wizards of the Coast Staff
title =Dungeons & Dragons FAQ
publisher =[Wizards of the Coast]
year=2003
url = http://www.wizards.com/dnd/dnddefinitivefaq.asp^{Image Removed}
accessdate = 2007-04-03 }} </ref> In 1995, the core rulebooks were slightly revised and a series of ''Player's Option'' manuals were released as optional core rulebooks.<ref name="tsr_history"><!-- Archived copy in case the one below dies or changes: http://www.webcitation.org/5R5rHK9Zy^{Image Removed} -->{{cite web
author=Staff	year=2003
url= http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_History.asp^{Image Removed}
title=The History of TSR
publisher=Wizard's of the Coast
accessdate=2007-08-14 }}</ref> Although still referred to by TSR as the 2nd Edition,<ref>"This is not ''AD&D'' 3rd edition" Winter, Steven (1995-02-06) 'Foreword' in {{cite book
first = David
last = Cook
year = 1995
month =
origdate = 1989b
title = [Player's Handbook]
edition = Revised Edition
publisher = TSR
isbn = 0-7869-0329-5
url = }} </ref> this revision is seen by some fans as a distinct edition of the game and is sometimes referred to as ''AD&D 2.5''.<ref>{{cite web
title =AD&D Player's Handbook 2.5 PDF
work =Store
publisher =[Paizo Publishing]
date =
url = http://paizo.com/store/downloads/wizardsOfTheCoast/aDAndD2/rulebooks/playersHandbooks/v5748btpy7mre&source=rss^{Image Removed}
accessdate =2007-04-03 }} </ref><ref>For example: {{cite web
last =Hiryu	title =2E vs. Revised	work =Store
publisher =[Wizards of the Coast]
date =[December 7], [2003]
url = http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=139725^{Image Removed}
format =web board	accessdate =2007-04-03 }} </ref>

'''''Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition''''' (also referred to as ''D&D3'' or ''3E'' and not to be confused with the 1983 edition of the basic ''D&D'' game) was released in 2000 following three years of development which began when a near-bankrupt TSR was bought by [Wizards of the Coast] in 1997.<ref>Adkison, Peter ''Third Edition'' chapter in Johnson et al. (2004:250) "After ... the idea of acquiring TSR began to swim in my mind it took me maybe thirty seconds to decide, We've got to do a third edition of Dungeons & Dragons."</ref> The 3rd Edition was the largest revision of the ''D&D'' rules to date, and also served as the basis for a broader role-playing system designed around 20-sided dice, called the [d20 System].<ref>Adkison, Peter ''Third Edition'' chapter in Johnson et al. (2004:273) D20 and the Open Gaming License</ref> The 3rd Edition rules were designed with the intention of making them more internally consistent and significantly less restrictive than previous editions of the game, allowing players much more flexibility in creating the characters they wanted to play.<ref>Adkison, Peter ''Third Edition'' chapter in Johnson et al. (2004:255-263) Design Philosophy</ref> Skills and feats were introduced into the core rules to encourage players to further customize their characters.<ref>{{cite journal

title =Countdown to 3rd Edition: Feats and Fighters

journal =[Dragon (magazine)] #270

volume =Vol. XXIV

issue =No. 11

pages =30-31

publisher =[Wizards of the Coast]

year =2000

month = April

issn = 1062-2101 }}
</ref> The new rules also standardized the mechanics of action resolution and combat.<ref>(Tweet 2003:4) What Characters Can Do</ref>

'''''Dungeons & Dragons v.3.5''''' (also known as Revised 3rd Edition or ''D&D3.5'') in 2003 is a revision of the 3rd Edition rules. This release incorporated hundreds of rule changes, mostly minor, and expanded the core rulebooks.<ref>(Tweet 2003:4) Why the Revision?</ref>

'''''Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition''''', announced at GenCon in August 2007, is set to be published in May of 2008. Wizards of the Coast announced that the new edition will provide character levels going up to 30th, better-defined character roles, simplified game mastering and expanded online content. There are also plans to support playing the game over the Internet.<ref name="4-ward at Gen Con">{{cite news

title=Dungeons & Dragons Flashes 4-ward at Gen Con
publisher=Wizards of the Coast	date=[August 16], [2007]
url= http://www.wizards.com/company/downloads/WotC_4E_Announcement.pdf^{Image Removed}
format=PDF	accessdate=2007-08-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
author=Anonymous	date=[August 16], [2007]
url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ3J8t2-RVs^{Image Removed}
format=Flash	title=Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition: Part 1
publisher=YouTube
accessdate=2007-08-18 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
author=Staff	year=2007
url= http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=welcome/conventions/gencon07^{Image Removed}
title=Wizards of the Coast at Gen Con!
publisher=Wizards of the Coast
accessdate=2007-08-18 }}</ref>

=== Acclaim ===

The various editions of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' have won many [Origins Award]s, including ''All Time Best Roleplaying Rules of 1977'', ''Best Roleplaying Rules of 1989'' and ''Best Roleplaying Game of 2000'' for the three flagship editions of the game.<ref>{{cite web

author=Staff
year=2006
url = http://www.originsgames.com/aagad/awards/archive^{Image Removed}
title = Archive of List of Origins Award Winners
accessdate = 2007-02-22
publisher = Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design }}—select year on right of page.</ref> Both ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' are [Origins Award] inductees as they were deemed sufficiently distinct to merit separate inclusion on different occasions.<ref>{{cite web
author=Staff	year=2006
url= http://www.originsgames.com/aagad/awards/hall-of-fame^{Image Removed}
title=Hall of Fame
publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design
accessdate=2007-07-06 }}</ref> The independent [Games (magazine)] magazine placed ''Dungeons & Dragons'' on their ''Games 100'' list from 1980 through 1983, then entered the game into the magazine's Hall of Fame in 1984.<ref>(Schick 1991:414-418)</ref><ref>{{cite web
author=Staff	year=2007
url= http://gamesmagazine-online.com/gameslinks/hallofame.html^{Image Removed}
title=Hall of Fame	publisher=Games Magazine Online
accessdate= 2007-08-13 }}</ref>

=== Influence ===

''Dungeons & Dragons'' was the first modern role-playing game and it established many of the conventions that have dominated the genre.<ref name="hist9">"Although we have come a long way since D&D, the essential concept is still the same, and is one that will endure."{{cite journal

last = Darlington

first = Steve

title = A History of Role-Playing Part IX: The End and The Beginning

journal = Places to Go, People to Be

publisher = Places to Go, People to Be

issue = Issue 9

year = 1999

month = August

url =

http://ptgptb.org/0009/hist9.html^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-04-03 }}</ref> Particularly notable are the use of [dice] as a [game mechanic], [Character sheet], use of [Statistic (role-playing games)] and gamemaster-centered group dynamics.<ref>{{cite web

last =Rilstone

first =Andrew

title =Role-Playing Games: An Overview

publisher =The Oracle

year=1994

url =

http://www.rpg.net/oracle/essays/rpgoverview.html^{Image Removed}

accessdate = 2007-04-04 }}
</ref>

Over the years, many gamers have criticized various aspects of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' rules. Within months of ''Dungeons & Dragons'''s release, new role-playing game writers and publishers began releasing their own role-playing games, with most of these being in the fantasy genre. Some of the earliest other role-playing games inspired by D&D include ''[Tunnels and Trolls]'' (1975),<ref name="hist2">(Schick 1978:223-224)</ref> ''[Tékumel]'' (1975) and ''[Chivalry and Sorcery]'' (1976).<ref>{{cite book

first=Gary Alan	last=Fine	year=2002
title=Shared Fantasy: Role Playing Games as Social Worlds
pages=pp. 16-19	publisher=University of Chicago Press
location=New York	id=ISBN 0226249441 }}</ref> The role-playing movement initiated by D&D would lead to release of the science fiction game ''[Traveller (roleplaying game)]'' (1977) and fantasy game ''[RuneQuest]'' (1978), and subsequent game systems such as [Chaosium]'s ''[Call of Cthulhu (role-playing game)]'' (1981), ''[Champions (roleplaying game)]'' (1982), ''[GURPS]'' (1986)<ref name="hist5">{{cite journal
last = Darlington
first = Steven
title = A History of Role-Playing Part V: The Power and the Glory
journal = Places to Go, People to Be
publisher = Places to Go, People to Be
issue = Issue 5
date = November 1998
url = http://ptgptb.org/0005/hist5.html^{Image Removed}
accessdate = 2007-02-28 }} </ref> and ''[The Masquerade]'' (1992).<ref name="hist8">{{cite journal
last = Darlington
first = Steven
title = A History of Role-Playing Part VIII: Dark Times
journal = Places to Go, People to Be
publisher = Places to Go, People to Be
issue = Issue 8
date = June 1999
url = http://ptgptb.org/0008/hist8.html^{Image Removed}
accessdate = 2007-02-28 }} </ref><ref name="hist_schick" /> ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and the games it influenced also fed back into the genre's origin—miniatures wargames—with combat strategy games like ''[Warhammer Fantasy Battles]''.<ref>{{cite web
last =Grady
first =RJ
title =In Genre: THE DUNGEON
publisher =[RPGnet]
date =[August 4], [2004]
url = http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/columns/ingenre04aug04.html^{Image Removed}
accessdate =2007-04-05 }} </ref> D&D also had a large impact on modern [video games].<ref>{{cite web
author=Staff
title =How Dungeon & Dragons shaped the modern videogame
work =[PC Gamer]
publisher = [Future Publishing] Limited
date =[February 8], [2007]
url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=157343&site=pcg^{Image Removed}
accessdate =2007-04-03 }} </ref>

With the launch of ''Dungeons & Dragons'''s [Editions of Dungeons & Dragons], Wizards of the Coast made the [d20 System] available under the [Open Gaming License] (OGL) and [D20 System#Trademark License]. Under these licenses, authors are free to use the d20 System when writing games and game supplements.<ref name="d20">{{cite web

title =The d20 System

work =

publisher =[Wizards of the Coast]

date =

url =

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/welcome^{Image Removed}

accessdate =2007-04-03 }}
</ref> The OGL and d20 Trademark License also made possible new games, some based on licensed products like [Star Wars Roleplaying Game (Wizards of the Coast)], and also new versions of older games, such as ''[Call of Cthulhu (role-playing game)#d20 Call of Cthulhu]''.

During the 2000s, there has been a trend towards recreating older editions of [D&D]. [Necromancer Games], with its slogan "Third Edition Rules, First Edition Feel"<ref>{{cite web

author=Staff	year=2007
url= http://www.necromancergames.com/^{Image Removed}
title=D20 Products with 3rd Edition Rules, 1st Edition Feel
publisher=Necromancer Games	accessdate=2007-08-21 }}</ref> and Goodman Games 'Dungeon Crawl Classics' range<ref>{{cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =Dungeon Crawl Classics
work =
publisher =Goodman Games
date =
url = http://www.goodmangames.com/DCCpreview.php^{Image Removed}
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-03-20 }}</ref> are both examples of this in material for d20 System. Other companies have created complete game systems based on earlier editions of D&D. An example is ''[HackMaster]'' (2001) by [Kenzer and Company], a licensed, non-OGL, semi-satirical follow-on to 1st and 2nd Edition.<ref>{{cite web
last =Thorn
first =Mike
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =Review of Hackmaster 4th Edition
work =
publisher =[RPGnet]
date =[June 9], [2006]
url = http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12222.phtml^{Image Removed}
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}</ref> ''[Castles & Crusades]'' (2005), by Troll Lord Games, is a reimagining of early editions by streamlining rules from OGL<ref>"Castles & Crusades is a fantasy RPG, clearly based upon the first edition of AD&D but with streamlined d20-like rules."{{cite web
last =Mythmere
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =Castles & Crusades Players Handbook (4.6 stars)
work =
publisher =Mythmere's Wondrous Resource
date =
url = http://mythmere.tripod.com/reviewph.html^{Image Removed}
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}</ref> that is being supported by [Gary Gygax].<ref>Gary Gygax is writing an entire line of Castle Zagyg products for Castles & Crusades.{{cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =Castle Zagyg Product Page
work =
publisher =Troll Lord Games
date =
url = http://www.trolllord.com/newsite/zagyg/index.html^{Image Removed}
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}</ref>

=== Controversy and notoriety ===
main|Dungeons & Dragons controversies

At various times in its history, ''Dungeons & Dragons'' has received negative publicity, in particular from many Christian groups, for alleged promotion of such practices as [Satanism#Devil worship], [witchcraft], [suicide], and [murder], and for topless drawings of female humanoids in the original AD&D manuals (mainly monsters such as [Harpy], [Succubus (Dungeons & Dragons)], etc.)<ref name="Moral Panic">{{cite journal

last = Waldron	first = David
title = Role-Playing Games and the Christian Right: Community Formation in Response to a Moral Panic
journal = The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture
volume = Vol. IX
publisher =Department of Religious Studies and Anthropology, [University of Saskatchewan]
date = Spring 2005
url = http://www.usask.ca/relst/jrpc/art9-roleplaying.html^{Image Removed}
accessdate = 2007-02-27 }} </ref><ref name="attacks">{{cite journal
author=Paul Cardwell, Jr
title=The Attacks on Role-Playing Games
journal=Skeptical Inquirer
year=1994	volume=18	issue=2	pages=157-165
url= http://www.rpgstudies.net/cardwell/attacks.html^{Image Removed}
accessdate=2007-08-04 }}</ref> These controversies led TSR to remove many potentially controversial references and artwork when releasing the 2nd Edition of ''AD&D''.<ref name="Dragon 154">{{cite journal
last =Ward	first =James M
authorlink =Jim Ward (game designer)
title =The Games Wizards: Angry Mothers From Heck (And what we do about them)
journal =[Dragon (magazine)] #154
volume =Vol. XIV	issue =No. 9	pages =9
date =February 1990	issn = 0279-6848
accessdate = }} ISBN 0-88038-865-X </ref> Many of these references, including the use of the names 'devils' and 'demons', were reintroduced in the 3rd edition.<ref>(Williams 2000:41,47)</ref> The [moral panic] over the game also led to problems for fans of D&D who faced further social ostracism, unfair treatment and false association with the occult and [Satanism], regardless of an individual fan's actual religious affiliation and beliefs.<ref>{{cite web
last=Gagne	first=Kenneth A.	date=[April 27], [2001]
url= http://www.gamebits.net/other/mqp.html#23^{Image Removed}
title=Moral Panics Over Youth Culture and Video Games
publisher=Worcester Polytechnic Institute
accessdate=2007-08-27 }}</ref>

''Dungeons & Dragons'' has also been the subject of unsubstantiated rumors regarding players having difficulty separating fantasy and reality, even leading to [psychotic] episodes.<ref>{{cite journal

last = Darlington	first = Steve
title = A History of Role-Playing Part IV: Part Four: Hell and High Finance
journal = Places to Go, People to Be
issue = Issue 4	year = 1998	month = August
url = http://ptgptb.org/0004/hist4.html^{Image Removed}
accessdate = 2007-04-03 }} </ref> The most notable of these was the saga of [Steam tunnel incident],<ref>{{cite journal
last = Hately	first = Shaun
title = The Disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III (Part I)
journal = Places to Go, People to Be
issue = Issue 6	year =1999	month =February
url = http://ptgptb.org/0006/egbert.html^{Image Removed}
accessdate = 2007-02-21 }} </ref> which was fictionalized in the novel ''[Mazes and Monsters (novel)]'' and later made into a low-budget [Mazes and Monsters] starring [Tom Hanks].<ref>{{cite news
first=John	last=O'Connor	date=[December 28], [1982]
title=TV: 'Mazes and Monsters,' Fantasy
publisher=New York Times
url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01EEDA1438F93BA15751C1A964948260^{Image Removed}
accessdate=2007-08-04 }}</ref><ref name="attacks" />

The game's commercial success was a factor which led to [lawsuits] regarding distribution of [royalties] between the initial creators Gygax and Arneson.<ref>{{cite journal

author=Staff	title =Interview with Dave Arneson
journal =Pegasus	issue =Issue 1
publisher =[Judges Guild]	year =1981	month = April/May
url = http://www.judgesguild.net/guildhall/pegasus/pegasus_01/interview.shtml^{Image Removed}
accessdate =2007-02-23}} </ref><ref>{{cite web
last =Rausch	first =Allen
title =Dave Arneson Interview
publisher =[GameSpy]
date =[August 19], [2004]
url = http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/540/540395p1.html^{Image Removed}
accessdate = 2007-02-23}} </ref> Gygax later became embroiled in a political struggle for control of TSR which culminated in a court battle and Gygax's decision to sell his ownership interest in the company in 1985.<ref name="Gygax-GygaxFAQ">{{cite web
last =Gygax	first =Gary
url= http://www.gygax.com/gygaxfaq.html#What%20Happened%20to%20Gygax%20-%20TSR?^{Image Removed}
title=Gygax FAQ	publisher=The Creative World of Gary Gygax <!-- Gygax's personal site as of the time this link was taken. Now domain squatted. http://web.archive.org/web/19990125095757/www.gygax.com/^{Image Removed} -->
accessdate=2006-07-04
archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/19990128161605/http://www.gygax.com/gygaxfaq.html#What%20Happened%20to%20Gygax%20-%20TSR?^{Image Removed}
archivedate=1999-01-28 }}</ref>

Early in the game's history, TSR took no action against small publishers producing ''D&D'' compatible material. This attitude changed in the mid 1980s when TSR revoked these rights (even from publishers they had earlier officially licensed, such as [Judges Guild]),<ref>{{cite journal

last = Bob	first = Bledsaw
title = From the Sorcerer's Scroll: What has Judges Guild done for Dungeons and Dragons®
journal = The Dragon #27
volume =Vol. IV	issue =No. 1	pages =10-11
publisher =TSR Hobbies, Inc.	date = July 1979 }} </ref> and took legal action to prevent others from publishing compatible material. This angered many fans and led to resentment by the other gaming companies.<ref name="hist_schick" /> TSR itself also ran afoul of intellectual property law in several cases.<ref>Copyright conflicts with the [Tolkien Estate] lead to removal of references to [Hobbit]s, [Ent]s and others. {{cite book
author=Hallford, N.; Hallford, J.	year=2001
title=Swords & Circuitry: A Designer's Guide to Computer Role Playing Games
publisher=Thomson Course Technology PTR
edition=First edition	pages=p. 39
id=ISBN 0761532994 }}</ref><ref>Disputes over licenses led to an agreement for Chaosium to use the ''[Thieves' World]'' license in exchange for allowing TSR to legally publish the [Cthulhu Mythos] and [Melniboné] mythoi in [Deities & Demigods]. See: {{cite web
last=Appelcline	first=Shannon	year=2006
url= http://www.rpg.net/columns/briefhistory/briefhistory3.phtml^{Image Removed}
title=Chaosium: 1975-Present	work=A Brief History of Game
publisher=RPGnet	accessdate=2007-08-13 }}</ref>

After publishing the 3rd Edition, the then-license holders reversed the stance on 3rd party material with the introduction of the [Open Gaming License], which allows compatible material (though technically not ''Dungeons & Dragons'' material) to be produced.<ref>http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/welcome Wizards of the Coast: The d20 System and the Open Gaming License</ref>

== Related products ==

[Image&D Game 1.jpg]
main|Dungeons & Dragons related products

''D&D'''s commercial success has led to many other related products, including (but not limited to) [Dragon (magazine)], [Dungeon (magazine)], an [Dungeons & Dragons (TV series)], a [Dungeons & Dragons (film)] and [List of Dungeons & Dragons computer and video games] such as the [MMORPG] ''[Stormreach]''. Hobby and toy stores sell [Dice#non-cubical dice], [Miniature figure (gaming)], [Adventure (Dungeons & Dragons)] and other game aids related to ''D&D'' and its game offspring.

== References in popular culture ==

As the popularity of ''D&D'' grew throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, the game was referenced more and more in popular culture. Numerous games, films and cultural references based on ''D&D'' or ''D&D''-like fantasies, characters or adventures have been ubiquitous since the end of the 1970s. Typically, though by no means exclusively, ''D&D'' players are portrayed derogatively as the epitome of [geek]dom.<ref>{{cite news

last =Currell
first =Latasha
coauthors =
title =Dungeons and Dragons—30 Years and Going Strong
work =The Golden Gate XPress Online
pages =
language =
publisher =The Journalism Department @ [San Francisco State University]
date =[September 1], [2004]
url = http://xpress.sfsu.edu/archives/arts/001575.html^{Image Removed}
accessdate =2007-04-03 }} </ref> References to the game are used as shorthand to establish characterization or provide the punch line of a joke.<ref>Examples include {{cite journal
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =Bill Gates Grants Self 18 Dexterity, 20 Charisma
journal =[The Onion]
volume =
issue =Issue 31- 21
pages =
publisher = Onion, Inc
date =[June 18], [1997]
url = http://www.theonion.com/content/node/29743^{Image Removed}
accessdate = 2007-04-03 }} and {{cite video
people = [David X. Cohen]; [Ken Keeler], [Eric Rogers] (writers)
title =[Futurama] Episode [Anthology of Interest I#Act 3]
medium =TV Show
publisher =[20th Century Fox Television]
location =
date =[May 5], [2000] }} </ref> Many players, miffed with this stereotype,<ref>{{cite news
last =Roberts
first =Tara
coauthors =
title ='D&D' players defy stereotypes
work =The Argonaut
pages =
language =
publisher =[University of Idaho]
date =[September 13], [2005]
url = http://www.uiargonaut.com/content/view/360/38/^{Image Removed}
accessdate =2007-04-03 }} </ref> embrace the fact that comedian [Stephen Colbert], musician [Moby], and actors [Vin Diesel], [Matthew Lillard], [Mike Myers (actor)], [Patton Oswalt], [Wil Wheaton] and [Robin Williams] have made their ''D&D'' hobbies public.<ref>Diesel contributed the introduction, and both Colbert and Wheaton page long personal reflections to Johnson ''et al.'' (2004)</ref><ref>Diesel, Williams, Moby, Lillard, Colbert: {{cite journal
last = Shanafelt	first = Steve
title=The growing chic of geek: How turning 30 made Dungeons & Dragons feel young again
journal=Mountain Xpress
date=[November 2], [2005]	volume=12	issue=14
url= http://www.mountainx.com/features/2005/1102dandd.php^{Image Removed}
accessdate=2007-08-04 }}</ref><ref>Diesel, Colbert, Lillard: {{cite web
last = Tonjes	first = Wayne	date =[October 19], [2005]
url= http://www.gamingreport.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=printpage&artid=166^{Image Removed}
title=Interview with Charles Ryan on the 2005 Worldwide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day
publisher=Gaming Report	accessdate = 2007-08-04 }}</ref><ref>Oswalt: {{Citation
last = Leckart
first = Steven
year = 2007
date = [June 26], [2007]
title = Ratatouille Star Patton Oswalt on Geeks vs. Nerds
periodical = Wired
volume = 15
issue = 07
url = http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/15-07/pl_screen^{Image Removed} }}</ref><ref>Myers: {{cite episode
title = Mike Myers
episodelink =
series = Inside the Actors' Studio
serieslink =
airdate = 2001-02-04
season = 7
number = 9 }}</ref>

Dungeons & Dragons has made many appearances in popular culture, such as in:

*[Weird Al]'s song "[White & Nerdy]".

*The final episode ("Discos and Dragons") of the ''[Freaks and Geeks]'' TV series.

Musician/comedian [Stephen Lynch]'s song called "D&D", which mocks the typical stereotype of a ''Dungeons & Dragons'' player—a [metalhead] that smokes [marijuana], drinks [Mountain Dew], lives in his mother's basement, and has little to no interaction with females. He has performed the song live on several radio programs including ''[Opie and Anthony]'' and [Preston and Steve].

== See also ==

[Character class (Dungeons & Dragons)]

selfref|* [:Category:Dungeons & Dragons creatures]|

''[OSRIC]'' (Old School Reference & Index Compilation), an attempt to re-issue the rules for First Edition AD&D while complying with the [Open Gaming License].

== Notes ==

reflist|3

== References ==
<div class="references-small">

{{cite book
last =Allston
first =Aaron
authorlink =Aaron Allston
title =Wrath of the Immortals
publisher =[TSR, Inc.]
year=1992
isbn =1560764120 }}
{{cite book

first = David

last = Cook

year = 1989a

title = [Dungeon Master's Guide]

publisher = TSR

isbn = 0-88038-729-7 }}

{{cite book

first = David

last = Cook

year = 1989b

title = [Player's Handbook]

publisher = TSR

isbn = 0-88038-716-5 }}

{{cite book

last =Cook	first =Monte	authorlink =Monte Cook
coauthors =[Skip Williams], [Jonathan Tweet]
title =[Dungeon Master's Guide]
publisher =[Wizards of the Coast]
year=2000
isbn = 0-7869-1551-X }} {{cite book

last =Cook	first =Monte
coauthors =Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet
others = revised by David Noonan, Rich Redman
title =[Dungeon Master's Guide]
publisher =[Wizards of the Coast]
origdate = 2000	year=2003
isbn = 0-7869-2889-1 }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary	authorlink =Gary Gygax
coauthors =[Dave Arneson]
title =Dungeons & Dragons (3-Volume Set)
publisher =TSR	year=1974
isbn = }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary
coauthors =Dave Arneson
others = edited by J. Eric Holmes
title =Dungeons & Dragons (Basic Set)
publisher =TSR	origdate = 1974	year=1977
isbn =0394511115 }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary
coauthors =Dave Arneson
others = edited by [Tom Moldvay]
title =Dungeons & Dragons (Basic Set)
publisher =TSR	origdate = 1974	date =1981a
isbn =0394518349 }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary	coauthors =Dave Arneson
others = edited by [David "Zeb" Cook]
title =Dungeons & Dragons (Expert Set)
publisher =TSR	origdate = 1974	date =1981b
isbn =0394521986 }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary
coauthors =Dave Arneson
others = edited by [Frank Mentzer]
title =Dungeons & Dragons (Basic Rules Set 1)
publisher =TSR	origdate = 1974	date =1983a
isbn =0394534212 }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary	coauthors =Dave Arneson
others = edited by Frank Mentzer
title =Dungeons & Dragons (Expert Rules Set 2)
publisher =TSR	origdate = 1974	date =1983b
isbn =0880383399 }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary
title =[Monster Manual]
publisher =TSR	year=1977
isbn = 0-935696-00-8 }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary
title =[Player's Handbook]
publisher =TSR	year=1978
isbn = 0-935696-01-6 }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary
title =Dungeon Masters Guide
publisher =TSR	year=1979
isbn = 0-935696-02-4 }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary
title =[Unearthed Arcana]
publisher =TSR	year=1985
isbn = 0-88038-084-5 }} {{cite book

last =Gygax	first =Gary	coauthors =Frank Mentzer
title =Dungeons & Dragons (Set 4: Master Rules)
publisher =TSR	year=1985
isbn =0880383429 }} {{cite book

last =Johnson	first =Harold
authorlink =
coauthors =Steve Winter, [Peter Adkison], Ed Stark, Peter Archer
title =[A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons]
publisher =Wizards of the Coast	year=2004
isbn =0-7869-3498-0}} Softcover edition 2006 ISBN 0-7869-4078-6 {{cite book

last =Mentzer	first =Frank	authorlink =Frank Mentzer
title =Dungeons & Dragons (Set 3: Companion Rules)
publisher =TSR	year=1984
isbn =0880383402 }} {{cite book

last =Mentzer	first =Frank
title =Dungeons & Dragons (Set 5: Immortal Rules)
publisher =TSR	year=1986
isbn =0880383410 }} {{cite journal

last =Pulsipher	first =Lew
title =Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons, Parts I-V
journal =The Best of [White Dwarf (magazine)]
issue =Articles Volume II	pages =10-18
publisher =[Games Workshop]	year=1983 }} {{cite book

last =Schend	first =Steven E.
coauthors =Jon Pickens, Dori Warty (Editors)
title =Rules Cyclopedia	publisher =TSR
year=1991
isbn = 1-56076-085-0 }} {{cite book

last=Schick	first=Lawrence	year=1991
title=Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games
publisher=Prometheus Books
location=Amherst, New York
id=ISBN 0-87975-653-3 }} {{cite book

last =Slavicsek	first =Bill
authorlink =Bill Slavicsek
coauthors =[Richard Baker (game designer)]
title =Dungeons & Dragons [...for Dummies]
publisher =[John Wiley & Sons]
year=2005
isbn =0-7645-8459-6 }} {{cite book

last =Slavicsek	first =Bill	coauthors =Richard Baker
title =Dungeon Master For Dummies
publisher =Wiley Publishing	year=2006
isbn =0-471-78330-7 }} {{cite book

last =Slavicsek	first =Bill	coauthors =Mathew Sernett
title =[Dungeons & Dragons Basic Game]
format = boxed set	year=2006
publisher =Wizards of the Coast
isbn = 0-1869-3944-3 }} {{cite book

last =Tweet	first =Jonathan
coauthors =Monte Cook, Skip Williams
title =[Player's Handbook]
publisher =Wizards of the Coast	year=2000
isbn = 0-7869-1550-1 }} {{cite book

last =Tweet	first =Jonathan
coauthors =Monte Cook, Skip Williams
others = revised by [Andy Collins]
title =[Player's Handbook]
publisher =Wizards of the Coast	origdate = 2000
year=2003
isbn = 0-7869-2886-7 }} {{cite book

last =Tweet	first =Jonathan
title =[Dungeons & Dragons Basic Game]
format = boxed set	publisher =Wizards of the Coast
year=2004
isbn = 0-7869-3409-3 }} {{cite book

last =Williams	first =Skip
title =Dungeon Master Option: High Level Campaigns
publisher =TSR	year=1995
isbn = 0-7869-0168-3 }} {{cite book

last =Williams	first =Skip
coauthors =Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook
title =[Monster Manual]	publisher =Wizards of the Coast
year=2000
isbn = 0-7869-1552-8 }} {{cite book

last =Williams	first =Skip
coauthors =Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook
others = revised by [Richard Baker (game designer)], Skip Williams
title =[Monster Manual]
publisher =Wizards of the Coast
origdate = 2000	year=2003
isbn = 0-7869-2893-X }} </div>

== Further reading ==
<div class="references-small">

{{cite news

last =Bebergal

first =Peter

coauthors =

title =How 'Dungeons' Changed the World

work =[The Boston Globe]

publisher =The New York Times Company

date =[November 15], [2004]

url =

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/11/15/dungeons_and_dragons_we_love_you/^{Image Removed}

accessdate = }}

{{cite web

last =Edwards

first =Ron

title =A Hard Look at Dungeons and Dragons

publisher =[Indie role-playing game#The Forge]

url =

http://www.indie-rpgs.com/articles/20/^{Image Removed}

accessdate =2007-02-23}}—an essay on the early history of the D&D hobby.

Fannon, Sean Patrick. ''The Fantasy Roleplaying Gamer's Bible, 2nd Edition''. Obsidian Studios, 1999. ISBN 0-9674429-0-7
Gygax, Gary. ''Roleplaying Mastery''. New York, NY: Perigee, 1987. ISBN 0-399-51293-4
Gygax, Gary. ''Master of the Game''. New York, NY: Perigee, 1989. ISBN 0-399-51533-X
Miller, John J. http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZmYzZDFmNWI5MTg1N2FmY2E4MTdlMWU5YzBjZjI1ODM= "I Was a Teenage Half-Orc", National Review Online, October 15, 2004.
Schick, Lawrence. ''Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role Playing Games''. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1991. ISBN 0-87975-653-5
{{cite news

...

== External links ==

{{cite web

url=

http://www.wizards.com/dnd^{Image Removed}

title=Dungeons & Dragons

publisher=[Wizards of the Coast]

accessdate = 2007-08-15 }}

{{cite web

url=

http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page^{Image Removed}

title=D&D Wiki

accessdate = 2007-08-15 }}

{{cite web

url=

http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/^{Image Removed}

title=TSR Archive

publisher=Prodigy

accessdate = 2007-08-15 }}—product catalogue for TSR and others.

{{cite web

url=

http://www.acaeum.com/^{Image Removed}

title=The Acaeum

accessdate = 2007-08-15 }}—auction site with detailed information on pre-AD&D2 (1989) editions of the game.

{{cite web

url=

http://www.dragonsfoot.org/^{Image Removed}

title=Dragonsfoot

accessdate = 2007-08-15 }}—fan resource for earlier editions.

dmoz|Games/Roleplaying/Genres/Fantasy/Dungeons_&_Dragons
{{cite web

title = Roleplaying Game Introduction & RPG history
publisher = roleplay.org	year= 2004
url = http://www.roleplay.org/articles/rpg-intro/^{Image Removed}
accessdate = 2007-03-15 }}

d20
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[Category:Dungeons & Dragons]
[Origins Award winners]
[1974 introductions]

Child pages

Versions Compared

Old Version 3

New Version 4

Key

last =Allston	first =Aaron	authorlink =Aaron Allston
title =Wrath of the Immortals
publisher =[TSR, Inc.]	year=1992
isbn =1560764120 }}