Role-playing Games: Crash Course Games

The video explores the world of role-playing games (RPGs), starting with an adventure in a fictional tomb. It explains RPGs as interactive storytelling games where players control characters in various settings. The history of RPGs is traced from war games to the creation of Dungeons & Dragons by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The video discusses the rise of RPGs in the 1970s and 80s, including other games like Tunnels & Trolls. It addresses controversies surrounding RPGs, such as moral panic, and highlights their benefits in developing social skills and teamwork.

What is a lich in the context of role-playing games?

• A magical sword

• A mythical creature that grants wishes

• A type of treasure chest

• A powerful undead wizard

In RPGs, what is the primary role of the game master?

• To design the game board

• To provide snacks for the players

• To create characters for players

• To control the storyline and manage the game

Which of the following is NOT a typical setting for an RPG?

• Victorian London with werewolves

• A modern-day office building

• Medieval world with magic

• Futuristic hacker environment

What historical practice influenced the development of RPGs?

• Olympic sports

• War gaming

• Chess tournaments

• Ancient theater

Who were the creators of Dungeons & Dragons?

• J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis

• George Lucas and Steven Spielberg

• Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson

• Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke

What was the first RPG to allow players to play as non-humanoid characters?

• Bunnies & Burrows

• Tunnels & Trolls

• Dungeons & Dragons

• Chivalry and Sorcery

What was a common criticism of RPGs during the 1970s and 80s?

• They were too expensive

• They promoted violence

• They encouraged satanism

• They were too simplistic

Which study found that playing D&D helped improve social skills and teamwork?

• A 1975 study by the University of Chicago

• A 1985 study by Louise Zeya and Bradford Lewis

• A 1990 study by Harvard University

• A 2000 study by MIT

What was the name of the group formed in 1983 to oppose D&D?

• Mothers Against Gaming

• Concerned Parents of America

• Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons

• Citizens Against Role Playing

What is a key benefit of RPGs according to recent studies?

• They boost memory retention

• They improve physical fitness

• They enhance problem-solving skills

• They increase financial literacy