Gaining Advantage 034: Learn about Other Cultures through D&D with Rob Martin

Dale discusses what could be the most radical shift in TTRPG accessibility yet. We’re not just talking about a new ruleset. We’re talking about reclaiming the tabletop for everyone. Free5e isn’t another clone. It’s a community-led, open-source, fully accessible reimagining of 5e designed for affordability, inclusivity, and actual usability. Dale explains how it stays SRD-compliant while offering more than just “good enough.”  You’ll hear about: Accessible formats: Digital braille, high-contrast PDFs, large print, audio, and more Affordability: Free digital books, print-at-cost, and Kickstarter-exclusive deeper discounts Disability representation: Three modular systems for including disabled characters on your terms Flexible design: Inclusive mechanics without creating power imbalances Creative Commons licensing: Remix, translate, and adapt—without the legal minefield Open the Gates Gaming Dale talks to Chris Campbell-Bohen and Elizabeth McClain from Open the Gates Gaming, two academics who are using their expertise and lived experiences to reshape how we play and how we design for neurodivergence, disability, and cultural diversity. How Open the Gates Gaming's cognitive access tools—like simplified character sheets, modular ability/spell cards, decision guides, and explainer videos—are changing the onboarding experience Why cultural representation and narrative inclusion are as vital as mechanics The Access Forward Gaming Lounge at PAX East: an experiment in radical accessibility, cross-disability solidarity, and real-time adaptation The dangers of defaulting to Eurocentric fantasy tropes and how to tell new stories How accessibility is not just a checkbox—it’s a design philosophy Whether you're a game designer, a DM, or a player who just wants more people to feel safe at your table, this episode is essential listening. Show Outline 00:00:00 What if D&D Could Be for Everyone? 00:01:25 Introducing Free5e: Free, Open, Accessible 00:12:38 Meet the Game-Changers Behind Inclusive TTRPGs 00:15:01 How Open the Gates Gaming is Redefining Play 00:22:26 Fixing Accessibility: Why "Everyone's Welcome" Isn't Enough 00:30:05 TTRPGs as Empowerment: Finding Belonging at the Table 00:43:00 Designing for Flexibility Without Losing the Magic 01:03:00 The Hard Truth About Inclusive Game Design 01:09:30 When Players Break the Script—and Why It Matters 01:16:30 How You Can Start Making Your Table More Accessible 01:20:00 Is Accessibility Ruining Games? (Spoiler: No) 01:24:00 Upcoming Projects That Could Change Gaming Forever 01:25:15 Patreon Spotlight: Shape the Future of TTRPGs Links & Resources: Free5e Kickstarter (live until end of April): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wyrmworkspublishing/free5e-a-free-open-source-dungeons-and-dragons-alternative?ref=6orsnt  Open the Gates Gaming: https://www.openthegatesgaming.org/ Access Forward Gaming Lounge at PAX East https://east.paxsite.com/en-us/features/pax-together.html Virginia Tech Disability Community Technology Center: https://discoteccenter.org/ Dots RPG: https://dotsrpg.org  Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://patreon.com/WyrmworksPublishing  If you found this episode helpful, subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find and benefit from it!

How can we make tabletop RPGs more inclusive for blind players—and why does it matter? This episode of Gaining Advantage tackles accessibility in TTRPGs with Blind Temple, an advocate for blind gamers. Temple shares firsthand experiences, challenges, and solutions for making RPGs more accessible, from game design to play at the table. We also unveil #Free5e, our ambitious project to provide a fully accessible, cost-free alternative to D&D 5th Edition. 00:00 Introduction – The Accessibility Problem in TTRPGs 00:22 The Cost Barrier in D&D – What is Free5e? 05:17 Meet Blind Temple – Advocate for Blind Gamers 06:49 Common Challenges Blind Players Face in RPGs 09:10 Exclusion at the Table – Real Stories 11:32 The Role of Digital Tools in Accessible Gaming 15:02 How GMs Can Make Their Games More Inclusive 17:06 The Biggest Accessibility Mistakes in TTRPGs 22:57 What Publishers Must Do to Improve Accessibility 27:11 Debunking Myths About Blindness in RPGs 34:38 Ableism in Gaming – What Needs to Change 42:02 The Impact of Accessibility in RPG Communities 50:04 A Message to Game Designers & Players 51:27 Upcoming Projects from Blind Temple 53:42 Final Thoughts & How You Can Help Join us as we break down myths, share practical solutions, and fight to make tabletop RPGs truly welcoming for all! Links & Resources: 🔗 Free5e: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wyrmworkspublishing/free5e-a-free-open-source-dungeons-and-dragons-alternative?ref=ahzrcq  🔗 Blind Temple on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/blindtemple.bsky.social  🔗 Blind Temple on Twitter: https://x.com/BlindTemple  🔗 Dots RPG (Braille Dice & Resources): https://dotsrpg.org  🔗 Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon (Support Community Copies!): https://patreon.com/WyrmworksPublishing  If you found this episode helpful, subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find and benefit from it!

In this episode, Dale talks with Stefan McNinch, founder of UnboxEd, a nonprofit revolutionizing education through game-based learning. Explore how Stefan’s work teaches financial literacy, persistence, and teamwork while addressing educational gaps in underserved communities. Discover why tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) can be a better educational tool than traditional methods and how they transform students' attitudes toward failure into stepping stones for success. Listen to Stefan share insights into adapting games for learning objectives, the value of reframing failure, and the challenges of integrating TTRPGs into the classroom. Whether you're an educator, parent, or gamer, this conversation highlights how gaming can prepare students for the real world while sparking joy and creativity. UnboxEd website: https://unboxedclassroom.com Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing Sign up for The Horde: Join the email list for updates! I Never Thought of It That Way by Mónica Guzmán 00:00 Introduction: Can fantasy characters teach real-world skills better than traditional methods? 03:59 Guest intro: Stefan McNinch claims UnboxEd is solving what schools have ignored. 05:51 Entrepreneurship RPG: Teaching financial literacy – or is it gamifying survival skills? 10:44 Measuring success: Are engagement and persistence better metrics than grades? 13:06 Surprises: Is curiosity dead in today’s kids – or are we failing to teach it? 17:26 Empathy through RPGs: Are we raising a generation of roleplayers, not real thinkers?

Dale Critchley speaks with Alyssia Merrick, a PhD candidate researching the powerful effects of Dungeons & Dragons on mental health. Discover the surprising benefits that TTRPGs offer to players of all experience levels, from reduced anxiety to enhanced self-esteem and community building. Alyssia shares insights into her research, exploring how D&D can serve as a tool for self-discovery and resilience—without requiring a therapist’s couch. Whether you're a skeptical newcomer or a seasoned veteran, this episode uncovers new ways to engage with D&D for personal growth. Alyssia Merrick (BPsych Hons) is a PhD candidate located at James Cook University, Townsville. Their research primarily focuses on the impacts of play on adults, with a particular focus on the employment of tabletop gaming as an intervention for wellbeing. 00:00 – Fantasy Characters as Therapy?00:11 – Tabletop Games with Purpose: Introducing Andovir’s Gods01:14 – Why We Created a New Class: Meet the Ardent03:10 – Interview Introduction: Alyssia Merrick05:00 – Beyond Entertainment: How TTRPGs Support Mental Health08:13 – Research Findings: Mental Health Improvement After 8 Weeks10:57 – Character Creation as Self-Exploration11:29 – Surprising Results: New vs Veteran Player.13:46 – TTRPGs in the Bigger Picture of Wellness17:08 – Psychological Theories at Play: Flow and Self-Determination19:26 – Could D&D Improve Your Next Office Meeting?21:05 – Trauma, Personified: Combatting Personal Demons Through Play21:58 – Alyssia’s Three Wishes for TTRPGs25:48 – For New Players: Drop the Guard, Dive In28:24 – For Veterans: Foster Mental Health through Play30:17 – Ongoing Projects: Bringing Game Therapy to a Global Scale33:40 – Where to Connect with Alyssia35:06 – Thanks and Farewell Links Investigating Tabletop Gaming for Wellness Promotion: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082697954259  Alyssia’s Published Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alyssia-Merrick-2  Free: Gods of Andovir: https://wyrmworkspublishing.com/lair/andovir/the-gods-of-andovir/  Ardent Character Class: https://wyrmworkspublishing.com/lair/andovir/ardent/  Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing  Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website. Please leave us a rating and review on your podcast platform of choice!

In this episode, we explore using tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) for language learning. Shane Dunkle, a Language Pedagogy Specialist at the University of Chicago, shares his research on assessing English proficiency through board games and TTRPGs like D&D. Discover how these games create an engaging environment for practicing real-world communication skills, from mastering idioms to navigating social cues. Shane reveals strategies for convincing skeptical faculty and his vision for embracing TTRPGs as a mainstream educational tool. 0:00 Opening0:10 Exclusive Charity Offer Reveal - How Your Purchase Can Change Lives2:49 Meet the Gamer Turned Innovative Educator Revolutionizing Language Learning4:06 Traditional vs Game-Based Teaching: The Authenticity Showdown18:26 From Munchkin to Murderhobo: Navigating the RPG Classroom Transition21:31 Mastering Real-World Interactions Through In-Game Role-Play28:34 Student Resistors vs Faculty Skeptics: Overcoming Unconventional Hurdles33:51 Three Wishes to Transform Language Education Worldwide35:45 The Recipe for Educators: Embracing Unorthodox Methods That Work40:47 Convincing the Naysayers: A Manifesto for Embracing Gaming in Academics42:34 Behind the Scenes: Upcoming Pedagogical Playground Projects44:47 Your Doorway to Immersive Language Learning Resources Wyrmworks Publishing: https://wyrmworkspublishing.com Rio Grande Flood Charity Bundle: http://rio.inclusiverpg.com University of Chicago English Language Institute: http://esl.uchicago.edu/ Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing

This episode explores the cultural significance and far-reaching influence of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) through an insightful interview with Premeet Sidhu and José Zagal, editors of the book "50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons." It offers insights into how the iconic tabletop RPG has influenced various aspects of global culture, from gaming and entertainment to education and beyond. The discussion covers D&D's historical roots, examining its evolution from a niche hobby to a mainstream phenomenon. Sidhu and Zagal shed light on the game's unexpected crossovers with diverse fields, such as interactive storytelling, solo journaling, and educational applications. Key points covered include: The book's approach to celebrating D&D from a scholarly yet accessible perspective Surprising insights into the game's evolution, such as the progression of combat systems D&D's influence on other media and how it has been influenced by culture in turn The game's potential in education and fostering critical thinking Speculative discussions on D&D's future, including the role of AI and emergence as a mainstream entertainment genre Links Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing Wyrmworks Publishing Nexus: https://books.inclusiverpg.com  Fifty Years of D&D: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547604/fifty-years-of-idungeons-and-dragonsi/  Get it at the Wyrmworks Publishing Nexus & support the show: https://bookshop.org/a/103322/9780262547604  University of Utah’s Division of Games - https://games.utah.edu/  José Zagal Academic Profile - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=a4a3GTMAAAAJ&hl=en  Seeing Red: Nintendo’s Virtual Boy - https://bit.ly/3UIHvmb  Premeet Sidhu Academic Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WGI4GlUAAAAJ&hl=en  Premeet Sidhu Twitter: https://twitter.com/premeetsidhu  0:00 Introduction 0:19 Wyrmworks Publishing Updates 03:18 Interview with Premeet Sidhu and José Zagal 06:12 "50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons" Book Overview 10:41 Insights and Revelations 15:58 D&D's Cultural Influence 18:33 Future of D&D 36:01 Upcoming Projects 43:57 Patreon Showcase & Closing Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website. Please leave us a rating and review on your podcast platform of choice!

We explore the connections between language, masculinity, and tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) experiences with sociologist Dr. Steven Dashiell. He studies language in male-dominated spaces like gaming conventions. We discuss how language use, rules lawyering, gamesplaining, and off-topic conversations (metadiscourse) at gaming tables can create barriers. These reinforce masculine norms and potentially alienate players from underrepresented groups. Dr. Dashiell shares research on gendered speech patterns, the historical invisibility of women TTRPG players, and the challenges that women face asserting themselves without seeming overly aggressive. The conversation also covers the benefits of increased gender diversity in TTRPGs. Dr. Dashiell explains how bringing your authentic self enriches the gaming experience for all. He offers insights for designers to create more welcoming, inclusive spaces. Whether new or experienced with TTRPGs, this episode provides a valuable perspective on building a more equitable gaming culture. Links: Dr. Steven Dashiell at American University: https://www.american.edu/soc/faculty/dashiell.cfm Dr. Dashiell's Research and Papers: https://american.academia.edu/StevenDashiell Accessible Character Sheet: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/476978/Accessible-Character-Sheets-for-DD-Players-with-Print-Disabilities?affiliate_id=2455077&src=GainingAdvantage37 Ready-to-Roll: Fairweather Friends Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wyrmworkspublishing/ready-to-roll-last-minute-no-prep-dandd-5e-adventure-1?ref=c7371z Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing?utm_source=gaining_advantage&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=037 Show Outline: 00:00 Welcome and intro00:21 Accessible character sheet for print & reading disabilities00:56 Ready-to-Roll: Fairweather Friends D&D adventure Kickstarter01:29 Interview with Dr. Steven Dashiell sociology of language04:57 Gender representation in TTRPG spaces06:24 Metadiscourse and inside references07:21 Masculine language and behavior in gaming08:18 Rules lawyering and excluding players12:14 Gamesplaining14:51 Historical gender erasure of women gamers16:12 Benefits of diversity in tabletop RPGs18:26 Murderhobo25:08 Charisma in D&D and its effect on inclusion28:36 Male dominance in D&D31:33 Bringing your authentic self to gaming table41:40 Designing more inclusive TTRPGs50:32 Gendered guilt when missing game sessions52:01 Jerks and toxic behavior study57:31 Support Inclusive Gaming

In this thought-provoking episode, Dale sits down with Dr. Dave Eng, an expert in using board games for educational purposes. Dr. Eng shares his groundbreaking insights on how tabletop games can revolutionize the learning experience. From cooperative classics like Pandemic to the innovative "Matrix Games" that leverage words over numbers, this episode dives into the benefits of interactive gameplay in classrooms. Discover how board games can foster critical thinking, teamwork, and experiential learning in ways traditional lectures cannot. Learn about Dr. Eng's inspiring work and his mission to bring gaming literacy to educators worldwide.  Plus, Dale reveals Wyrmworks Publishing's pioneering effort to introduce the first-ever braille ruleset for tabletop RPGs, making the hobby more accessible than ever before. 0:00 Introducing Braille to the TTRPG hobby 06:49 Interview: Dave Eng, EdD on gamifying education 42:16 An invitation to change the world Links: Wyrmworks Publishing http://wyrmworkspublishing.com/  Braille System Reference Document for D&D 5E on DriveThruRPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/472156/5e-SRD-51-System-Reference-Document-Braille-Transcription-and-Tutorial?affiliate_id=2455077  Dr. Dave Eng https://davengdesign.com/ UniversityXP https://universityxp.com/  Banditos Gaming https://www.banditosgaming.com/  Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website. Please leave us a rating and review on your podcast platform of choice!

We speak with Dr. Tanya Pobuda, an expert on issues of representation and inclusion in tabletop gaming. She shares insights from her groundbreaking research on gender and racial representation in contemporary board gaming. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Pobuda provides data-driven perspectives on the false narrative that "diversity doesn't sell" and highlights positive shifts that are possible when inclusive practices are embraced. 0:00 Introduction: Braille in TTRPG01:50 Interview: Dr. Tanya A. Pobuda52:49 Patreon Showcase & closing Manually captioned. Transcript available in the feed and at our website. Links: Dr. Tanya Pobuda's Twitter: https://twitter.com/PobudaTanya Dr. Pobuda's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tanyapobuda Our Family Plays Games YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/OurFamilyPlaysGames Wyrmworks Publishing: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com Ready-to-Roll: Feyweather Friends adventure on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wyrmworkspublishing/ready-to-roll-last-minute-no-prep-dandd-5e-adventure-1?ref=dqmst7 Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing Please leave us a rating and review on your podcast platform of choice!

Discover new worlds and perspectives through TTRPGs! In this episode, we explore how D&D and other TTRPGs can teach us about different cultures. Dale talks with Rob Martin of Secret Garden Games about his Filipino mythology-inspired Bukana setting and Kickstarter campaign. 00:00 Holiday bundles and gift ideas04:13 Interview with Rob Martin of Secret Garden Games about his Bukana setting inspired by Filipino and Indonesian mythology41:06 Patreon updates and appreciation Links: Wyrmworks Publishing Gift Cards: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com/product/wyrmworks-publishing-gift-cards/  Wyrm's Workshop: http://wyrmworkspublishing.com/product/wyrms-workshop/  24 for $24 Bundle: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/460567/The-RPG-Advent-Calendar--24-Books-for-24-BUNDLE?affiliate_id=2455077&src=WyrmworksPubPodcast  75% Off Bundle: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/461941/Fantastic-Adventures-Mega-BUNDLE?affiliate_id=2455077&src=WyrmworksPubPodcast  Bukana Bestiary on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pineboxllc/bukana-bestiary-a-5e-wakesong-supplement  Secret Garden Games on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretgardengames/  Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wyrmworkspublishing Please leave us a rating and review on your podcast platform of choice! Manually captioned. Transcript available at our website.