Whereas role-playing and table-top role-play games (RPGs) have been proven to have potential as therapeutic tools, playing RPGs is often stereotypically associated with social incompetence and psychiatric disorders.
Now is your chance to check out, up close, the Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer, be introduced to role-playing games, learn about the power of all RPG formats, learn how RPGs can be used in professional educational and therapeutic settings to help participants achieve their goals, and much more. Come check us out in the vendor section of the downtown Spokane Convention Center, October 6-8, 2017!
Here is a quick listing of some of the research currently in the queue for RPG Research, as of September 15th, 2017...
I've been thinking about the best way to intellectually organize the RPG Research Archives in a way that works for all material, including what is produced and stored here on the website and physical collections, and which also allows for the accessioning of new material as the collections grow.
Here is a quick listing of some of the research currently in the queue for RPG Research, as of September 15th, 2017...
The Wheelhouse Workshop founders Adam Johns and Adam Davis were discussing RPG's and therapy, and mentioned the RPG Research Project website as a useful resource...
Brief notes on embedding youtube videos and migrating internal links
Latest status update on the RPG Tour
For those curious about our current schedule, here are some highlights for September 2018.
New theory topic of the week begins today: Introduction to Tuckman's theories on small group formation, communication, & dynamics in relation to RPGs, Part 1. Tiers 1-3 GM training schedule this week.
For those looking for tables to join, remember that Spark Central has Drop In and RPG on the 2nd & 4th Fridays each month from 4-7 pm through the end of April.
We have grown so quickly, we really need administrative volunteer help for about 4-5 hours a week! 2 years ago we were were helping people with just 10 volunteers & 1-2 programs per month. Now we've hit volunteer #115, and WE NOW PROVIDE A DOZEN PROGRAMS A WEEK! 99% of our volunteers are helping directly with the programs as game masters, facilitators, transcriptions, software development, etc. NOW WE REALLY NEED ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS A FEW HOURS PER WEEK! We desperately need people willing to help about 4-5 hours per week
Important update to the games we are offering from our level 1 Game Masters. We are removing Star Wars and replacing it with Doctor Who. This is mostly applicable to at-risk populations. For non-at-risk populations Star Wars may still be an option depending on the GM and session circumstances. Read further for more details...
Just some quick little trivia bits that might be of interest to folks. We'll likely add to this posting over time...
Diversity of perspectives is the key to making the international RPG Research volunteer community and open research repository website the most helpful to everyone.
This questions came up recently on Facebook: "
As per a discussion on Facebook, regarding the challenges of keeping hup with what is "acceptable" terminology for different populations groups, and the tension between what is acceptable in professional circles, versus layperson and fandom circles.
As a Game Master I Dislike When My Player(s) do this, so when I play a game in someone else's game, I never _____________.
I am a huge advocate for technology. Look at my tech resume, and you will see what I mean. Technology is an extremely powerful tool to help improve the human experience, but at the tabletop game setting, it can be extremely detrimental if not used in very controlled ways. This article provides a few pointers on how to keep technology your friend in such settings, and the worst of the pitfalls to easily be avoided.
See the latest CAR-PGa NEWSLETTER, Vol. 28, No. 2, February 2019
Please come help 501(3) non-profit charity, RPG Research, May 31st, 2019, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
This is an extremely brief list of some basic considerations that we frequently come across that can help make role-playing gaming "safer" for at-risk populations.
This was too long to post in full on some sites such as GeekAndSundry.com, so I have the full-length version here to be linked to.This was too long to post in full on some sites such as GeekAndSundry.com, so I have the full-length version here to be linked to.
The RPG Research Project had its first sparks in 1985, and became formalized in 2004.
Prior to 2004, there were only about 80 published studies on the psychological and/or educational aspects of role-playing games.
With the recent kickstarter for the documentary "Let's Play: D&D Behind Bars" by producer Elisabeth de Kleer launching, our efforts related to researching the effects of RPGs in Prison have once again come to light. RPG Research's founder, W.A. Hawkes-Robinson (aka Hawke Robinson), called by professional peers the "grandfather of therapeutic gaming", is directly involved with this documentary as a behind-the-scenes consultant and on-camera "Advisor" for the film. Mr. Robinson's personal involvement with this topic spans decades...
The past is still very present for many. We regularly meet people in the gaming community who do not understand why we "waste" time talking about all the misconceptions of the past regarding role-playing games and gamers. This is because outside of the fandom bubble, a very large percentage of people unfortunately still believe the negative myths and stereotypes. If we don't address those issues up-front and head-on, it is literally the difference between our programs being accepted or denied.
We are trying to solidify the 5th slot in our Tier 1 game offerings and GM 1 training programs, and we've decided on a super hero RPG of some kind. However, nailing down which one will take a lot of evaluations. Here is where we are at so far. Any others you recommend?
This is for all staff volunteers, but posting the link publicly just in case any staff didn't catch the email, Discord, or RPGSN posting.
![Role-playing Gaming for Incarcerated Populations - Personal Experience From the "Grandfather of Therapeutic [Role-playing] Gaming"](https://www.otherminds.net/rpgresearch/blog/role-playing-gaming-in-prison/@@images/fa956f65-55f9-46c1-8d42-981008a883c9.png "Role-playing Gaming for Incarcerated Populations - Personal Experience From the \"Grandfather of Therapeutic [Role-playing] Gaming\"")
