Dungeons & Dragons
Published by Wizards of the Coast
The world's most popular tabletop RPG, featuring a streamlined d20 system and bounded accuracy. Known for its accessibility and broad appeal.
Official Site →Modern Roleplaying Games
A Brief History
Modern tabletop roleplaying games emerged from the transformation of Dungeons & Dragons in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The release of D&D 3rd Edition in 2000 marked a significant shift toward standardized rules and the d20 System, which would influence game design for decades to come.
The Open Game License (OGL) in 2000 allowed third-party publishers to create compatible content, leading to an explosion of new games and innovations. This era saw the rise of story-focused games, streamlined mechanics, and digital tools for play.
Major Modern Systems
Pathfinder
Published by Paizo
Built on D&D 3.5's foundation, Pathfinder offers deep character customization and tactical combat with its three-action economy.
Official Site →Call of Cthulhu
Published by Chaosium
The definitive horror RPG, based on H.P. Lovecraft's works. Uses the Basic Roleplaying system with a focus on investigation and sanity mechanics.
Official Site →Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
Published by Cubicle 7
A grim and perilous adventure game set in the Old World. Features a career-based character progression system and distinctive critical hit mechanics.
Official Site →Further Reading
Playing at the World, 2E
The first volume of a newly expanded edition exploring D&D's creation, drawing from extensive archival research into 1970s wargaming clubs and fanzines to chart how Gygax and Arneson's revolutionary game emerged.
Learn More →Game Wizards
An account of D&D's journey from hobbyist game to pop culture phenomenon, examining the relationship between Gygax and Arneson, TSR's history, and the controversies that shaped the game's legacy.
Learn More →The Elusive Shift
An examination of how early RPG players and authors shaped our understanding of what roleplaying games are through theory and practice.
Learn More →Of Dice and Men
A cultural history of Dungeons & Dragons that explores its influence on popular culture and the author's personal journey with the game.
Learn More →