Rolling a Natural 20 on Grief
Mourning A Hobby
The Digital Shift in Dungeons and Dragons
For the past 5 years, I’ve watched Wizards of the Coast F up Dungeons and Dragons, as a brand. They squandered long time fan’s loyalty and made no secret that they wanted to take a, traditionally, in person game and make it a soly digital experience.
Recently Chris Cocks, President of Hasbro, owner of Wizards of the Coast, said in a Q2 earnings call,
"we’re going all in on becoming a digital play company."
People, like myself, who have been playing for 40 years, since 1983, have enjoyed countless in person moments around our tables never thought our hobby would be at risk of digital absorption.
That being said, I don’t hate technology. I’m not a luddite. I’m an early tech adopter, usually of Mac products, and I love a gadget that helps me do something easier/faster even if it means I have to learn something new to enjoy it. But faster and easier doesn’t always translate to better.
When Virtual Table Tops (VTT’s) came out, I adapted, figured out how to use them and have run games for the same friends who used to sit around the physical table when we were teens who now live 12 hours away from me. Is it different? Yes, but it’s also the same. The same jokes, the same laughter, just without the spilled Mountain Dew and Funion crumbs.
As a professional game master, I’ve run lots of games online, with the intent of making it feel as “in person” as possible. Sometimes it works and sometime people can’t move their tokens because I haven’t designated them. So much for immersion.
All this to say, a shift from in person to digital, is like any significant life change, and can evoke a range of emotions, often mirroring the stages of grief.
I think this is where many of us are at, we're grieving. We’re not grieving a company’s right to make more money through digital means, we’re grieving what feels like the end of an era and a reminder that time marches on with or without us.
Many are grieving a loss of community, of friends and of something that has been a part of their lives for a long time but all hope is not lost.
in this article I hope to offer not only the stages of grief as they apply to our hobby, but offer some encouragement along the way for any of you who may be ready to throw your dice in the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
Step One: Denial "There's No Way This is Happening"
I found it hard to accept the idea of moving away from the physical components of the game. The phrase travelling around the ether-sphere, when it comes to physical media is, “You will own nothing and like it”. Not a fan.
I love the weight of the rulebooks, the satisfying click of dice, and the shared space around a physical table. To me, they’re all integral parts of the traditional D&D experience.
If you told me, when I was a kid, that D&D could/would become a virtual game, I, like Vizzini from The Princess Bride, would have said, “Inconceivable!”.
I also felt the same way about records, “What’s better than vinyl?”
Until Mac said, “Here’s 1000 songs in your pocket.”
I still love vinyl but I can’t imagine not having digital music.
Will I feel this way about D&D? Time will tell but I’m not giving up my physical books, ever, and will continue to buy older editions, in physical form, as I am able.
Step Two: Anger "This is Unfair!"
I’m not mad, I’m disappointed.
As the reality of the digital shift sinks in, anger has been building and is on full display in many a Tweet and Youtube video. This anger ranges from unhinged to disgust but I think it’s really rooted in hurt. The questions behind the hurt are questions like,
Why are you doing this to my hobby?
Why are you taking this away from me?
Why would you do this?
Much like we would question God about the loss of a loved one, we too question the stewards (not the creators) of our hobby.
Much of the anger is not directed at D&D as a digital commodity but at Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro for being greedy morons who don’t support their products and want to make D&D exclusively digital.
My anger, which to be honest, is minimal, is not just about the loss of something physical, such as the books Wizards produces, but about the loss of innocence and, at least my perceived, simpler times.
I was, initially, frustrated with the loss of authenticity, the technical difficulties of VTTs and feeling like that the core experience was being compromised. I did not feel betrayed by the company who owns the game and it’s game developers because that would give them too much credit.
I get the anger, but I’ll not add to it because it will accomplish nothing except increase my blood pressure.
I think the hardest truth to swallow, for those who are in this stage, is that these companies owe us nothing.
Just like record companies owed me nothing when it came to the format of the music I love, Wizards of the Coast does not owe me a physical game play experience. It’s my choice and I gave to initiate it if I want it.
Bargaining: "If I Just..."
I don’t know if I went through this stage or if I am just an agreeable, flexible person.
My crew has access to digital dice through Roll20, the VTT we play on and some use them and some don’t. I always have dice nearby in case I get the urge to fling some dice especially if I don’t want my players to know something.
Bargaining is like trying to strike a compromise. You want to keep some things and resist others. Everyone has their hill to die on but I’m fine with all digital dice or all physical dice or a combination of both. I have no one to appease but myself.
I can’t stop our hobby from becoming digital anymore than our forefathers could stop cars from replacing horses, but I hold no grievance against anyone who checks out and says, “not for me”.
But, for some, no bargain can be struck as many of my peers have just ditched Dungeons and Dragons 5e (prime) in favor of games not connected to WotC, such as
older versions of the game like B/X or 2nd edition or retro clones like Swords and Wizardry, Basic Fantasy, Old School Essentials or Castles and Crusades
5e clones like Tales of the Valiant
hybrid versions of the game like Shadowdark
Rpgs that are nothing like 5e, like Hyperborea or Dragonbane
Depression: "What's the Point?"
I’ve read more than enough comments, and I am sure you have too, from people signaling their sadness and/or hopelessness concerning this trip from physical to digital.
The idea of exploring new worlds, building characters, and sharing stories with friends, for some, is diminished in a digital format. I can see how your enthusiasm would be diminished.
As I said earlier, there are some who simply will not play Wizards of the Coast D&D 5e anymore and shift to another game entirely but for some, their friend group and accessibility to gaming will be dictated by digital which may aggravate an already distressing situation.
I’m not saying you should go all in on digital but before you throw everything in the trash, maybe test out a few VTT’s or other games or other versions of 5e and see how you feel about it. Even then, don’t throw your stuff in the trash, get out there and teach a whole new generation how to play the game you love.
Acceptance: "A New Chapter Begins"
Not to be insensitive, but there have been plenty of people who have gotten a divorce or lost a spouse and have said, “No one can ever replace them” (this is true) or “I’m never getting married again” or “I’m never falling in love again”. We humans can be very dramatic even while being truthful. But, the right person could come along and change your mind.
You may be saying, “I quit!” and “I’m leaving the hobby”
Well, before you do, try out the some different games or virtual table tops. One way to check out new games is to go over to startplaying.games and look at what kind of game choices there are.
I’ve run a number of games for people that had no clue how to navigate a virtual table top and by the end of session they had the basics down. Don’t let the fear of embarrassment stop you from trying. There are DMs who will be happy to help you navigate the new space.
You can visit my page if you want some help on Roll20 which is my VTT of choice.
You may even come to appreciate the convenience, accessibility, and new possibilities offered by digital platforms.
While the nostalgia for the physical game may persist, I think it’ll, eventually, be replaced by a focus on enjoying the game in its new form. You may even find new friends to play with online as I have.
Ultimately, I think we all want to find a balance between honoring the past and embracing the future but don’t let the fear of the future, or technology, keep you from enjoying the game you’ve always loved.