What is it?

Role-playing games (RPG) are a fun and social activity where participants create an interactive story together. Unlike a traditional game, it doesn't rely on a board or rigid rules, but rather on imagination and collaboration.

How does it work?

The organizer, called the Game Master (GM), plays the role of the storyteller. They describe a world, create plots, and play secondary characters, both allies and adversaries.
The other players each embody a main character, with their own personality, goals, and skills. They make decisions, describing what their characters do, say, and feel.

For example, in a medieval fantasy universe, one player might be a knight seeking justice, another a magician searching for forgotten knowledge, and a third a cunning thief.
The GM might announce: "In a dark forest, an old cabin emits a flickering light. What do you do?" The players then decide their actions, such as knocking on the door, entering stealthily, or searching for clues outside.

Why is it captivating?

Role-playing is a unique blend of an improvised play and an interactive novel. You never know where the story will lead because each player influences the course of the tale. You experience thrilling adventures, solve puzzles, negotiate alliances, or face dangers.

It's also a human experience: we laugh together, feel moved by difficult decisions, and celebrate collective victories. You don't need to be an expert in games or know a fantasy universe: curiosity and the desire to have fun are enough.

Anyone can play!

Whether you're a natural storyteller, a lover of stories, or simply curious about a new experience, role-playing games are open to everyone.

All you need to do is sit around a table or connect online, let your imagination flow, and embark on a memorable adventure.

RPG in a few numbers

Dungeons & Dragons

It's the most played and most sold role-playing game in the world.
In 2020, the publisher Wizard of the Coast estimated that 40 million people play Dungeons & Dragons: 40% are 25 years old or younger, 11% are 40 years or older, 39% are women.

In 2019, D&D celebrated its 6th consecutive year of growth:
- 17.5 billion media links
- Sales of starter kits increased by 300%.
- Viewers watched 4.3 billion minutes of D&D on Twitch
- 2 million people connected to D&D Live 2019
- Sales in Europe increased by 65% year-over-year and have more than quadrupled since 2014!

source: https://natalt.co.uk/portfolio-items/dungeons-and-dragons-infographic

The Dungeons & Dragons Movie

A band of thieves and adventurers unite for a common goal, to find a lost relic.
Released on April 12, 2023, it grossed $208,166,720 worldwide on an initial budget of $150 million.

Source: https://donjonetdragon.com/blog/box-office-film-dnd/#:~:text=D%26D%20le%20film%20n'a,date%20du%2014%20juin%202023

Stranger Things

Inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, more specifically its Forgotten Realms expansion, this series explores a darker, more horrific D&D universe.
The series starts in 1983 with the disappearance of one of the main characters after a role-playing game session.
The plot is a survival quest, in a dark and threatening atmosphere where the monsters of the game come to life.
- Season 4 totaled 140,700,000 views on Netflix: it's the second most-watched series of all time on the platform.
- Season 3 totaled 94,800,000 views on Netflix: it's the ninth most-watched series of all time on the platform.
Together, they occupy 2 spots in Netflix's top 10.

Source: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/top10/most-popular/tv

Baldur's Gate 3

A game inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, developed by Larian Studios.
- Named Game of the Year 2023.
- Over 500 million euros in revenue for an initial budget of 100 million.
It offers an immersive adventure where players explore a world rich in narrative choices, turn-based strategic combat, and interactions with deeply written characters.

Source: https://steam-revenue-calculator.com/app/1086940/baldur's-gate-3

Critical Role

A series of Dungeons & Dragons campaigns played by professional voice actors, which led to the animated series The Legend of Vox Machina.
- 2.3 million subscribers on YouTube.
- Over 4500 average viewers on Twitch.

The Draw of Destiny | Critical Role | Campaign 3, Episode 1

Critical Role stats: https://twitchtracker.com/criticalrole

Fibre Tigre

On the French-speaking side, Fibre Tigre is a highly reputed Dungeon Master who has played with well-known YouTubers such as mistermv, Joueur du Grenier, Cyprien, Zerator.
He has also partnered with CNES, MSF, and Arte.
He hosts the Game of Role series, which has been running for over 10 years. Recently, it has been supported by mistermv.

Roleplay: EUROPARTIE: L'union fait la force | Replay Live | ARTE

Other videos:
- LES SENTINELLES DE L'ESPACE - JDR X CNES - With ‪@BagheraJonesLive‬ ‪@joueurdugrenier‬ Arnaud Prost!
- JDR MSF: intervention in Sudan!
- BIENVENUE À VALENTHIA | Game Of Roles S8E01

Digital Roleplaying Games

Among the increasingly sophisticated tools developed, virtual game tables (or Virtual Tabletop) are included.
These are online tools that allow for a more interactive playing experience; the player can move around a dynamic map, and complex dice rolls are automated. Depending on the tool, various additional features are also available.

Among them, two stand out:
- Roll20, a Virtual Tabletop accessible to everyone on a browser, easy to use, free with premium functions for those who want more. It integrates with Discord, a popular instant messaging platform, which provides players with great comfort.
- Foundry VTT, software that allows you to host a server for RPG sessions with infinite possibilities as it is fully customizable.

Other newer tools complement them well:
- Dungeon Alchemist, a 3D map creation tool developed with AI that assists with filling in scenery. 3D models can be imported to increase its diversity.
- Canvas of King, a 2D map creation tool for larger maps that allows for creating entire cities.
- Pocket Bard, an application that allows for creating ambient music, enhancing immersion in the story.
- D&D Beyond, a library of useful information, and a character creation tool.