Did you know that 8.36 million Americans played Dungeons and Dragons in 2017?
Have you always been curious about the history of Dungeons and Dragons? Not to worry! In this article, we’ll go over who created the game and how it changed over the years.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out!
Contents
A History of Dungeons and Dragons
Dungeons and Dragons is a fantastical tabletop role-playing game. First designed by Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax, they published in 1974.
This game’s recognized as the beginning of modern role-playing games. Check out these favorite movies based on games.
In the Beginning
Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson started a game called Chainmail in the seventies. This game simulated medieval combat. There was a page on the application of fantasy.
This supplement included rules for spells, monsters, and magic swords. After Dave read the fantasy rules of Chainmail, he adapted it to his own creation, Blackmoor. The setting found inspiration from the Lord of the Rings.
The premise for his game allowed players to portray one character. They could explore underground dungeons and face puzzles and conflicts. The story and characters would last from session to session.
In 1972, Dave brought the game, Blackmoor, to Gary. The latter loved the game and asked for the rules. Dave sent him eighteen pages of notes and Gary took them and expanded it to fifty pages.
Together, the two created a rule-set they called Dungeons and Dragons.
Tactical Studies Rules
They weren’t able to find a publisher at the beginning. Gary decided to publish the game himself and formed Tactical Studies Rules (TSR). Dungeons and Dragons sold 150 copies in the first month.
By summer, TSR ordered another 1,000 copies of the game.
Advanced Dungeon and Dragons
Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D) came out. The team designed it to create a more structured game system compared to the original.
Three core rulebooks arrived with it. They’re called the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and the Monster Manual.
The 2nd edition of AD&D released. Most references of demons, assassins, suggestive artwork, and half-orcs disappeared from the game.
Wizards of the Coast
TSR almost went bankrupt in 1997. Bought by Wizards of the Coast, the Dungeons and Dragons 3rd edition released in 2000. A new system called the d20 system came out of this revision.
Characters became customized with new feats and skills introduced to the core rules. The rules also standardized the mechanics of combat and action resolution.
In 2005, Wizards of the Coast’s team started to work on the fourth edition. The D&D community wanted a game that was more intuitive and faster. This game released in 2008. This edition streamlined the game into a simpler form.
In 2012, they announced a 5th edition of the game. The team wanted to take suggestions from players and let them test the new rules.
The release of the 5th edition occurred in late 2014. This happened after receiving feedback from thousands of players. For those interested in playing, here’s a guide to dungeons and dragons for beginners.
Want to Learn More?
We hope you found this article on the history of Dungeons and Dragons insightful. The game has gone through five revisions.
Want to learn more? Check out our guide on the best fantasy movies.