Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: http://to.pbs.org/Donateoffbook Since their growth in popularity in the 1970s, RPGs have had a huge influence not just on players, but on everything from Hollywood to the development of video games. Now, In a world dominated by video games and social media, there remains an enduring interest in gathering around a table and playing games face to face. Beyond cards and board games, Role Playing Games allow not just for interaction and play, but the creativity of storytelling, world creation, and engagement with ideas.The adaptability of D&D and other tabletop RPGs can satisfy players in a way that our digital world still cannot, with unique game mechanics and engagement and limitless use of imagination. As tabletop RPGs enjoy a cultural resurgence, more and more people are discovering the freedom and interactivity that makes them unique. Featuring: Jon Peterson, author "Playing At the World" Lauren Bilanko, Twenty Sided Store Wythe Marschall, Game Master, @hollowearths Ethan Gilsdorf, Writer "Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks" Music 1) "Telling Stories" by Dexter Britain - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dexter_Britain/Creative_Commons_Volume_5/12_Telling_Stories 2) "Pianochocolate - Old Movies" by Tunguska Electronic Music Society - http://www.jamendo.com/en/track/743338/pianochocolate-old-movies?sid=album-a86858 3) "Waking Up (Instrumental)" by Dexter Britain - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Dexter_Britain/Creative_Commons_Volume_2/Waking_Up_Instrumental 4) "Utopia Part Two" by Dexter Britain - https://soundcloud.com/dexterbritain/utopia-part-two 5) "Chaos of Passions" by Butterfly Tea - http://www.jamendo.com/en/track/487889/chaos-of-passions 6) "One Day You Will Teach Me To Let Go Of My Fears" by sleepmakeswaves - http://archive.org/details/LostChildren059 7) "Roll the Dice" by Chris Ortega - http://www.jamendo.com/en/track/178812/roll-the-dice Video 1) Kiel Chenier - null 2) G4TV.com - http://archive.org/details/g4tv.com-video54581 3) Kristina Horner - null 4) Dani Skywalker - null 5) Stephen Chast - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0NI18Xd4gh8WrVm0rUbIw 6) Mokinari - null 7) Allanius Leonis - null 8) Phelanar's Gaming - null 9) Expertly Dyed: Art by Science - null 10) Smirnoff Knights - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQcllUMyhLmbz96DOdmqE1A 11) MyFavoriteShow! - null 12) GeekSqueak - null 13) EvilGameMaster - null 14) Action Flick Chick Katrina Hill - null 15) Quadradic93 - null 16) Ristaak Laurien - null 17) James Carpio - null 18) Greg Childs - null Images 1) Nestor Galina - http://www.flickr.com/photos/nestorgalina/3707322819/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 2) DaveFayram - http://www.flickr.com/photos/davefayram/3556228804/sizes/o/in/photosof-kevinclark/ 3) C.L. Doughty - http://www.scholarsresource.com/browse/artist/2142573198?page=2 4) mshea - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeshea/4692397230/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 5) mshea - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeshea/3575159707/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 6) mshea - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeshea/4561672427/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 7) gruntzooki - http://www.flickr.com/photos/doctorow/6586475901/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 8) brianjmatis - http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianjmatis/4758745169/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 9) Will Merydith - http://www.flickr.com/photos/merydith/4877168470/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 10) Pip R. Lagenta - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pip_r_lagenta/2327873236/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 11) big_bad_angus - http://www.flickr.com/photos/11793037@N06/5492221257/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 12) kgeiger - http://www.flickr.com/photos/kgeiger/5183973/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 13) Digital Shotgun - http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalshotgun/454380458/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 14) W1N9Zr0 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/w1n9zr0/8883486534/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 15) rmkoske - http://www.flickr.com/photos/67146024@N00/1323444954/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 16) {El Gris} - http://www.flickr.com/photos/elgris/5268529266/sizes/o/in/photostream/ 17) bandarji - http://www.flickr.com/photos/s_w_ellis/3607970602/ Follow Off Book: Twitter: @pbsoffbook Tumblr: http://pbsarts.tumblr.com/