Tabletop role-playing games are no longer just for fantasy enthusiasts. They've become a popular way for people to connect and have fun. The Bards of New York, a group of friends, started streaming their Dungeons & Dragons campaign on YouTube and Twitch. They quickly gained a following and started a Discord community. Their popularity skyrocketed in 2023 when a clip of their stream went viral. This clip featured a heartwarming moment between two characters, which resonated with viewers. The Bards of New York are now one of the most popular D&D streaming channels on Twitch.

The popularity of tabletop role-playing games has grown significantly over the years. In 1968, Gary Gygax, one of the creators of Dungeons & Dragons, organized the first-ever tabletop convention in his basement. Last year's Gen Con conference in Indiana set new attendance records, with over 71, 000 attendees and 540 exhibiting companies. The game has inspired a film and a hit TV show and has attracted over 50 million players worldwide. Other tabletop games, such as Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, and RuneQuest, have also seen a surge in popularity.

The rise of tabletop role-playing games has been beneficial for many people. For example, Cherie Wright, a 36-year-old from Virginia, found solace in the community. She had never played D&D before but was captivated by the storytelling. She became an active participant in the group's Discord and Twitch chats, which now have several thousand members. The community provided her with a support system, especially when she was close to burnout. She eventually decided to learn more about D&D and joined a one-shot session at her local game store. She was immediately hooked and made some of her best friends that day.

The hit TV show "Stranger Things" brought D&D back into the spotlight. It broke a lot of stigmas by placing the game into the zeitgeist and making it seem fun and acceptable. The show's success made Hannah Minshew, one of the Bards, feel cool. She suddenly had exotic information that others didn't. People would think it was strange that a group of women performing artists wanted to play D&D. That's not the case anymore.

Tabletop role-playing games have taken on a new life in the past decade. They have become a way for people to connect and have fun. The games have also been beneficial for mental health. Research has shown that play improves creativity and helps people process stress. D&D, in particular, has been found to provide escapism, self-exploration, and social support. It's a safe place for people to explore different perspectives and affirm or enhance their own. The game has also become more welcoming to a wider range of people. The demographics seem to be shifting, with more women and non-binary people playing the game.

Roll With The Nerds: How Tabletop Games Brought People Together

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