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Dungeons & Dragons is now in their ‘stadium’ stage.
After it was invented in the 1970s, Dungeons & Dragons has remained a niche game that people, stereotypically, nerdy boys, played at home with their friends. Many associated it with witchcraft and harming the youth, which, of course, has been proven incorrect. The controversy generated significant media coverage, making D&D and the idea of role-playing games a household word. Now it’s played by the young and old and is very popular among the rich and famous.

But in the past decade or so, D&D has emerged as a popular form of spectator entertainment, with comedians, actors, and podcasters playing the game for other people to watch. “Actual play,” as it’s known, has attracted millions of viewers online and has even spilled out into the real world, with D&D shows playing in movie theaters, touring globally, and selling out stadiums.

One of the most iconic examples of this phenomenon came earlier this year when the show Dimension 20 sold out Madison Square Garden in New York. Roughly 20,000 fans showed up to watch seven comedians perform D&D, with a few rock show flourishes. As more people watch D&D for entertainment, more people seem to be playing it too. Though the exact number of players is hard to track, Bilsland said something like 85 million people have engaged with the game, associated video games, and the movie Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves over the past few years. Their popularity keeps growing along with interest among new players.

Place of the Week

Teeko’s Bowls located at 647 W Main St., is now open and offers delicious yogurt bowls.