First Advisor

Jeffrey Robinson

Date of Award

Spring 5-26-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication and University Honors

Department

Communication

Language

English

Subjects

Fantasy gamers, Dungeons and Dragons (Game), Interpersonal conflict, Fantasy games

DOI

10.15760/honors.1350

Abstract

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) that has become increasingly popular in recent years due to cameos in shows such as Stranger Things, the success of actual play shows like Critical Role, and the release of the D&D movie Honor Among Thieves. D&D and other TTRPGs set themselves apart from other games by allowing for a massive amount of freedom both in character creation and in-game choices, both of which are a massive appeal for the player base. However, this also allows for conflict not only between the players, but also between the characters they create. This project examines 126 cases of player character conflict gathered through a survey. Physical or material harm to player characters perpetrated by another player character, as treatment of non-playable characters (NPCs), and differences in mission plans were common triggers for conflict. Players tended to enjoy conflict more when it resulted in positive outcomes for themselves and their characters. They tended to dislike conflict when it was the result of a repeated issue.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/40249

Download

Share

COinS