Resources for People New to TTRPGs

Articles, Websites, Videos

August 11, 2023

Resources for People New to Games (analog, specifically TTRPGs)

A list curated from recommendations provided through personal collection as well as in the following threads:

All my links: https://linktr.ee/tezraktheimpslayer

Preface: Introduction to TTRPGs, Craig Hatler, Shaw U Tuesday Talks 2-25-25

  • https://games.ala.org/“The Games & Gaming Round Table (GameRT) of the American Library Association provides a venue for librarians interested in the use of games and gaming in libraries of all types a place to gather and share. GameRT was formed in 2011, replacing and extending the pre-existing Gaming Member Interest Group. As a round table, GameRT is built around our shared passion for games and the use of gaming within libraries. With members from all types of libraries, GameRT encompasses a wide variety of viewpoints, situations, and user types. For more information about GameRT, you can join us on ALA Connect (even if you aren’t an ALA member) or contact one of the officers directly through ALA Connect. Want to volunteer with GameRT? Get involved!”

  • https://games.ala.org/why-have-games-in-libraries/“Public libraries have a mission to provide a variety of materials in a variety of formats. Board games, card games, and video games are stories and information, presented in new formats. Libraries are about stories and information, not specifically books. Or, as Eli Neiburger says, we’re in the content business. Simply put, games fit library missions.”

  • https://www.lamemage.com/microscope/“You won't play the game in chronological order. You can defy the limits of time and space, jumping backward or forward to explore the parts of the history that interest you. Want to leap a thousand years into the future and see how an institution shaped society? Want to jump back to the childhood of the king you just saw assassinated and find out what made him such a hated ruler? That’s normal in Microscope.”

  • https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/James-D-Amato/144640563“James D’Amato is the author of The Ultimate RPG Series, cofounder of the One Shot Podcast Network, and host of the One Shot and Campaign: Skyjacks podcasts. He trained at Second City and iO in Chicago in the art of improvisational comedy: he now uses that education to introduce new people to role-playing, and incorporates improvisational storytelling techniques to create compelling and entertaining stories for RPG campaigns and one-shot adventures.”

  • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1F4eMw3W_rHBfxf9_m1hbwHow to be a great GM - YouTube channel.

  • https://www.themonstersknow.com/This blog is aimed at:- Beginning DMs, especially younger DMs and adult DMs with little or no strategy gaming experience.- Intermediate DMs who are looking for ways to add more flavor and challenge for their players.- Advanced DMs who could figure all this out perfectly well on their own but are too busy to put the time into it.- And players. Yes, players! I don’t see anything wrong with your scoping this blog for intel. If your DM is using these tips, it’s going to make your characters’ lives a little tougher, and I don’t want them to get slaughtered like I did my first time playing XCOM. If you know what your characters are up against, you can begin to plan for it yourselves, and that’s part of the fun of D&D.

  • https://dnd5e.wikidot.com“This wiki hosts DND 5e content that is setting-specific, play-test content, or unofficial 'homebrew' content. Some content found on this page may not be suitable for play at your table. Check with your DM to see if what you find here is a good fit for your table if you are going to be using it in play.”

  • https://gizmodo.com/author/lcodega“Staff Writer, io9 (they/them) Talking 'bout games, film, tv, books, and other nerd sh*t.”

  • https://www.literacyworldwide.org/meetings-events/ila-digital-events/free-for-everyone/dungeons-dragons“ Learn how Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) can be a powerful tool for developing important literacy skills. In this sponsored three-part series that ILA hosted in collaboration with Wizards of the Coast, you’ll hear from educators who are using D&D with students to build emotional literacy, engage reluctant readers, and scaffold writing instruction. You can discover more about each of the free on-demand webinars by clicking on the links below, or just dive right into this series via our YouTube playlist.”

  • http://www.gregstolze.com/HowtoRun.zipHow to run roleplaying games by Greg Stolze.

  • https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/25696/roleplaying-games/thought-of-the-day-prep-tips-for-the-beginning-dmPrep tips for the beginning DM. Justin Alexander.

  • https://thealexandrian.net/so-you-want-to-be-a-game-master“Have you ever wanted to step into your favorite movie or book or television series? Do you want to take your friends on impossible adventures? Do you want to play a cunning elf, a daring spy, a brilliant detective, or a dastardly villain? Do you want to create new worlds?”

  • Tabletop YouTube Channel, Wil Wheaton, Fiasco episode.

  • Mind of XMoX - Mind of X - Critical Insight with Felix AlexanderVideos on how to be a better player, GM, etc.

Craig Hatler Games, August 2023https://craighatler.itch.io/https://linktr.ee/tezraktheimpslayer