Got Game? Programming with RPGS

Presented by: Nick Tanzi, Assistant Director of Technology ServicesMastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library

1960s

Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson were huge fans of military simulation games, such as..

Gary Gygax Dave Arneson

Siege of Bodenburg

They were interested in a more granular take

• A focus on individuals rather than units.

• A more detailed narrative.

• Delve deeper into a fantasy setting.

1974

Dungeons & Dragons becomes the first

commercially available Role Playing Game

What are Role Playing Games (RPGs)?

• Game where players assume the roles of fictional characters.

• Players often “act out” their characters.

• A system of rules govern the success or failure of actions.

From humble beginnings

• D&D 1st edition had an Initial print run of 1,000 copies

• Hand assembled

• Sold out of Gygax’s home.

• Gave an acquaintance Brian Blume1/3 partnership for $2,000 infunding.

To creating an industry

• TSR publishes multiple RPGs

• 1981: 130 employees

• 1982: they break $20 million in sales• Toy licensing deals.

• D&D is published in 22 countries.

• 1990s: Accessory books each average 150,000 copies sold annually

• 2004: 20 million players and $1billion in sales

What is the basic structure of a RPG?

Player Character (PC)

• Individuals (typically between 2-6) that “run” their character

• Act out their character

• Declare what actions they are taking.

Dungeon Master (DM)

• Individual that “runs” the overall game & interprets rules

• Narrates scenes.

• Determines the success or failure of player characters.

• Controls Non-player characters (NPCs).

Dice play a central role.

Dice in character creation

• Dice are rolled to determine ability scoreswhen creating a character.• Strength

• Dexterity

• Constitution

• Intelligence

• Wisdom

• Charisma

Character creation, cont.

• After rolling dice and totaling/assigning scores players:• Choose a race and class

• Name their character

• Develop a backstory & personality traits

• Draw a portrait

• Assign equipment

• Assign abilities

How else are dice used?

• Dice are used to determine successof various actions.• Success in combat

• Successful investigation

• Avoidance of danger (saving throw)

• Order of action

Role Playing Exercise

Why are RPGs back inthe public’s consciousness?

Dungeons and Dragons Appeals to a Wide

Audience!

What can libraries do to attract RPG players?

Carry the core rule books

• Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition• Dungeon Master’s Guide

• Player’s Handbook

• Monster Manual

• D&D Starter Set

• Contains dice

• Contains character sheets

• These can circulate or be placedin ready-reference.

Carry the core rule books

• Pathfinder• Core Rulebook

• Also available as a softcover

• Can be downloaded as PDF for an additional charge (approx. $10)

• Bestiary

• There are multiple bestiaries!

• Currently 6

Carry supplementary rule books

• Supplementary rule books add “flavor” to an adventure. • New lands, dimensions, etc. to explore

• New character options.

• Add history, context to adventures.

Carry Adventure Books

• These are pre-made adventures• Story outlines are already created

• NPCs are developed

• Encounters planned.

• Adventures are generally intendedfor a certain level of adventurer

Libraries can purchase supplementary materials & consumables, including

Dungeon Master Screens

LOTS of Dice

Graph paper & pencils

Dry erase mat & markers

28/35 mm miniatures

Feliciano via Deviant Art

Let’s Look at Programming

What are some considerations?

Pros and Cons of Insourcing your RPG Sessions

Pros

• It can be a money saver.

• You can build connections with your patrons.

• You can ensure continuity• RPGS take place over many

sessions over long periods of time!

Cons

• Your resident experts may not be *allowed* to do programs.

• Outside of game sessions, there’s a lot of time consuming planning to be done!

• You may be responsible for storing lots of character sheets for a very long time!

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Your RPG Sessions

Pros

• It can be a money saver.

• It can mitigate staffing concerns.

• Can provide their own equipment and supplies.

Cons

• You may need to lock into a long-term contract to cover the extended nature of RPG campaigns.

• Who is holding onto all the character sheets?

Incorporating Miniatures into RPG Programming

Do you have a 3D printer?

• 3D printers have the ability to inexpensively render RPG miniatures.

• Risk of theft is mitigated by the abilityto reprint & replace.

• Large numbers of files already exist onopen-source platforms.

• Patrons can also be taught to designtheir own miniatures!

Open source files on Thingiverse.com

@makerslabcz

@MattDB

Teach Patrons to Design Their Own Miniatures Using Free Software

Run workshops on painting miniatures!

• There are excellent tutorials online:• Formlabs

• Ultimaker

• Makerbot

• Best to prime in advance!• A timesaver

• Cuts down on the smell

What If You Don’t Own a 3D Printer?

If You Don’t Own a 3D Printer:

• Sites like Printable Heroes provide a free paper option• Printableheroes.tumblr.com

• Searchable database

• Printable PDFs

• Some assembly required.

Passive Approaches to Reaching RPG Players

• Create a welcoming environment

• Book displays

• 3D Printing Display

• Bookplates in your RPG collection

Active Approaches to Reaching RPG Players

• Social media marketing• Facilitate Facebook events

• Targeted ads on interests such as Pathfinder, Dungeons and Dragons

• Meetup.com• Great for locating interest groups within a geographic location!

Shameless Plug

"Libraries that are not yet offering

digital services would be well served

by Tanzi's book. Those wishing to

enhance patron experiences with

digital resources are guaranteed to

find inspiration.”

Library Journal *Starred Review*

Contact

Nick Tanzi

ntanzi@communitylibrary.org

(631) 399-1511 ext. 398

the-digital-librarian.com