Youtube has a plethora of creators who post video essays on the intricacies of running and playing all sorts of RPGs . Just search for your particular question and you ’ ll find dozens of videos ! For instance , there are videos to help with making compelling characters in RPGs , like this one from Dicebreaker ( https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = 9-eTdSonRBQ ).
Here is one from popular Dungeon Master and comedian Brennan Lee Mulligan expanding on how to prepare for running sessions in Dungeons & Dragons ( https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = VuxPLNb4eA4 ).
Reddit is also a good place to check for specific questions in written format if you prefer reading to watching videos . The most popular subreddit on the topic is r / rpg . ( https :// www . reddit . com / r / rpg /) Within this subreddit there are a number of useful tools from genre recommendation threads to a useful beginner ’ s guide to the hobby ! ( https :// www . reddit . com / r / rpg / wiki / fantasy /) ( https :// www . reddit . com / r / rpg / wiki / beginnersguide /# wiki _ introduction )
Podcasts : Many actual plays are in audio-only formats and can be just as effective and fun as watching videos . One particularly fun one is Not Another D & D Podcast or NADDPOD , which is an audio-only format . ( https :// naddpod . com /).
Role playing games are an excellent method of developing a variety of important skills . Many situations both in the game and around the game table involve everything from strategizing the best approach to taking down an enemy to navigating social interaction and building teamwork .
Most role-playing systems utilize some element of mathematics and statistical probability , also requiring participants to utilize analytical skills in ever shifting and impactful ways . After all , knowing how to calculate sales tax on a bag of apples is one thing — knowing the chances of your longtime adventuring buddy being able to throw themselves out of the way of a magical fireball you ’ re about to launch in order to save the day is another !
Working to solve dynamic problems in creative and collaborative fashions is an incredibly important set of skills to polish , no matter the age or background of the participant . Being able to tie all of these important parts of development to a creative narrative structure helps everything mean that much more .
As always , make sure to take in all this information with a grain of salt — what works for certain groups may not for yours . See what others are doing and adapt what you and your group like . Stay yourselves and have fun !
GLOSSARY
Beginner Box : A useful set items that comes prepackaged with all the necessary tools to run introductions to a game system . These are excellent ways of bringing in brand new players or to ease in inexperienced Game Masters .
Campaign : A method of playing where the same participants return to an established setting and story repeatedly , continuing from the last time they left off .
Character Creation Night : An event where people get together to make characters , often with assistance from experienced players or a Game Master . These are often paired with a Session Zero but can also be standalone events .
Character Sheets : A document that informs a player of the relevant information for playing their character within a given game system .
Closed Group : An RPG group that has a fixed roster of players .
Game Master / Dungeon Master ( GM / DM ): The rules interpreter and setting builder . The GM establishes the action and decides how characters not controlled by players react or act .
Game System : The set of rules that make up the structure of play for an RPG to adjudicate narrative choices and uncertain outcomes . Often the genre of a game is tied to the system used . For example , a fantasy game may use
Dungeons & Dragons as its system , while a friend ’ s horror enthused group may use Call of Cthulhu .
Icebreaker Game : A brief introductory aside to help relax unfamiliar individuals or groups into a comfortable space . Extremely useful for open groups or completely new combinations of players .
Non-Player Character ( NPC ): A character controlled by the Game Master . These would typically be the minor and side characters in the collective narrative of the RPG . Often these characters do not have character sheets or are represented by generalized sheets for types of stock characters in rule books that the Game Master may consult .
One-shot : A self-contained instance of playing where there is no expectation to return to the setting or characters .
Open Group : An RPG group where the roster of players is not set , and steady rotation of characters and players is expected .
Player : Participants in the game that control a specific character . Frequently all the players together form a “ party ” and together act as main characters . Using a movie metaphor , the camera usually follows the actions and consequences of players deciding what their characters do .
Player Character ( PC ): A character controlled by the player . They usually come with character sheets to help explain what information the player needs to know about them .
RPGS ( Role Playing Games ): Games where the participants tell a collaborative story by assuming the roles of characters and interacting with a fictional setting or world .
Session Zero : A meeting with prospective players and Game Masters where ground rules for behavior are established , the setting is explained , and expectations for the type of game being played are set .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF THIS GUIDE :
Jackson Myrick has been playing RPGs for fifteen years and running them as Game Master for about a decade . He previously co-wrote a guide for using RPGs in library and school settings for Paizo Publishing . When he ’ s not pontificating about artisanal cheese , he ’ s usually writing fiction or watching classic Japanese films . He works in the Salt Lake County Library System , where he has run RPG groups for all ages since 2020 .
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