Brent Jans@DorklordCanada

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● The roleplaying games hobby as we know it began in 1974, with the release and unexpected popularity of Dungeons & Dragons, by Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax

● Early role-playing games blended science and fantasy, so the distinction between the two was not always easy to make

● Unified game mechanics were unheard of until the 1980s● RPG creation was not an industry as we think of it until late

70’s/early 80’s

Minor Players in the 1980s● Aftermath! - Fantasy Games Unlimited, 1981● Cassiopean Empire - Norton Games, 1982● Other Suns - Fantasy Games Unlimited, 1983● Skyrealms of Jorune - Skyrealms Publishing, 1984● The Doctor Who Role Playing Game - FASA, 1985● Judge Dredd: The Role Playing Game - Games Workshop, 1985● Expendables - Stellar Games, 1987● Albedo - Thoughts & Images, 1988● High Colonies - Waterford Publishing House, Ltd., 1988 (Canadian)● Domination - StarChilde Publications, 1989

Beer and Pretzels

“Beer & Pretzel” RPGs were a particular subgenre of roleplaying games.

● Featured a very simple, often quirky, character creation system● Intended for episodic as opposed to campaign play● Relied heavily on improvisation, both players and storyteller● Almost always comedic in nature

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