From Pixels to Paper: A Gamer’s Exploration of TTRPGs

In the age of digital adventures, we’d be remiss to forget the roots of computer role-playing games (cRPGs). The concept of intricate tales, fantastic characters, and epic quests was born around a table, where pen, paper, and imagination flowed. Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) served as the blueprints which cRPGs were built on—spurred by the desire to bring the magic of shared storytelling to the digital realm. As we delve into the world of cRPGs, it’s a journey that pays homage to the enduring legacy of tabletop gaming and those early dice rolls and collaborative tales spun in the company of friends.

So, as a big fan of cRPGs, it should come as little surprise that I’ve found myself enthralled with the idea of tabletop games. My earliest recollection of their existence was the short-lived cartoon, Dungeons & Dragons. While I recall very little of the plot now, as that was some 40 years ago, I do remember it being something fun to watch.

Of course, that was also the era where parents thought that D&D was some sort of introduction into satanism, not helped by several high profile cases that were attributed in some way to the popularity of the game. Most of those were inaccurately reported, but the damage was done. I am surprised I was allowed to watch the cartoon at all, but I knew that I’d never be permitted to play the game.

And, as a quiet child with a small set of friends who weren’t interested in D&D, I sat on the sidelines as the guys in my age group played more warlike TTRPGs, mainly BattleTech. It was fun to watch but I just wasn’t into the idea of playing it. Besides, I was already into video games by then, with one of the more memorable being the series, King’s Quest. Fun times!

It wasn’t until I was 30 that’d I got my first experience with 3^rd edition D&D. My partner had met some people who were running a table and he was invited to play. He mentioned me and they suggested I come try it out too. Despite my excitement, it was quickly apparent that it wasn’t a good fit. I was much quieter than the rest of the group and rather insecure at the time. After a couple of sessions of fumbling, not knowing what to do, and feeling rather stupid, I elected not to go back.

After that less than stellar introduction to the game, I went back to watching from a distance. I kept my eye on the hobby, watched the progression to 3.5, then 4e, and quickly to 5e when 4e was much less popular than Wizards of the Coast wanted. By the time another opportunity arose for me to join a group, I was already enthralled in what would become my favorite game of all time – LOTRO.

Now, after all of these years, I find myself looking at tabletop gaming again. In some small way, I have WotC to thank for that. Or, at least the negative press they garnered after their proposed changes to the licensing agreement – the OGL – infuriated the TTRPG community. Through the various videos on the topic, I’ve discovered interesting channels and people who are – gasp – playing 1e D&D still, as well as other games such as Pathfinder, Castles & Crusades, and Gamma World. Channels such as The Dungeon Delver and Roll of Law have made the concept of tabletop gaming seem less daunting. And the games I’ve watched are brimming with imagination, heart, and a real chance of player characters (PCs) to die.

That, to me, sounds a lot more exciting than playing a superhero-type character who can shake anything off!

But, with a plethora of computer games at my fingertips, why would I want or need to play another type of game? What are the differences between cRPGs and TTRPGs that make each so fascinating?

We’ll take a look at some of them … next time.

Until then, bye for now!