SIDE QUEST

In this conversationally narrated graphic novel, Sattin and Steenz (starring as themselves) explore the history of role-playing games.

Tabletop role-playing games combine elements of imaginative play, interactive storytelling, and statistics-based tactical gaming. The evolution of the TTRPG began long before the creation of Dungeons & Dragons. After explaining the basics of modern TTRPGs, Steenz (a nonbinary Black person) and Sattin (a light-skinned man with dark hair) invite readers on a nonlinear journey through time and around the globe. They discuss how interactive theater and tactical war games contributed to the creation of role-playing games—both live action and tabletop. The information is well organized and appealingly illustrated, divided into six parts that each focus on a different aspect of TTRPGs—“Beginning the Adventure,” “Books of Lore,” “From Battlefield to Sandtable,” “Assume Your Role,” and “Magic in the Modern World”; “Continuing the Adventure” then describes how the modern TTRPG is still evolving. Throughout, Steenz and Sattin acknowledge and critique the racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination embedded in the ideologies that influenced the development of modern TTRPGs, including The Lord of the Rings and Conan the Barbarian. They also highlight the work of gamers from marginalized backgrounds who are increasing inclusion and accessibility. The concluding miniadventure offers an exciting, conflict-filled setting, but an overinvolved nonplayer character creates a rigid story structure and dampens the thrill of the heist.

Engaging, informative, and comprehensive.