Roleplaying Games in the Digital Age

Stephanie Hedge is an assistant professor of English and the director of the writing program at the University of Illinois Springfield, where she teaches classes on digital literacies, the intersections between English Studies and emergent technologies, and the ways that words do work in the world. Jennifer Grouling is an associate professor and the director of the writing program at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She currently studies writing assessment and teacher preparation. Series editor Matthew Wilhelm Kapell teaches American studies, anthropology, and writing at Pace University in New York.

“...a necessary and timely intervention into studies of transmedia role-playing games and fandom.”—Paul Booth, author of Board Games as Media and professor of media and cinema studies at DePaul University

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Structure to the StoriesStephanie Hedge and Jennifer GroulingPart I—Analog Meets DigitalParatextuality and Transmediation in D&D Board GamesJennifer GroulingGateway Game and Kickstarted Community: An Interview with Gloomhaven Creator Isaac ChildresJennifer GroulingThe Quest for More Yarn: Fiber Fictions as Transmedia NarrativesShelly JonesCultists, Apps and Player Choice: An Interview with Mansions of Madness Creator Nikki ValensJennifer GroulingPart II—Gameplay Experiences Meet Digital AffordancesDungeons and Digital Affordances and Dragons: “Extremely Online” TRPGsStephanie HedgeMulti-Windowed Play Commitments: The Virtual Tabletop Role-Playing GameNoémie RoquesThe Unexpected Responsibilities of Managing an Entire Ecosystem: An Interview with Roll20 Creator Nolan T. JonesJennifer GroulingRoll20, Access and Rhetorical Agency in Digital Game SpacesDaniel Lawson and Justin WigardCreating Canons in Tabletop Role-Playing Games Played OnlineMaria AlbertoOff the Rails: Convergence Through Tabletop ­Role-Playing ModulesColin StricklinBetween pages 142 and 143 are 8 plates with 19 color illustrationsPart III—TRPGs Meet FansThe Adventure Zone as Transmedia Stunt Spectacular: An Interview with Griffin McElroyStephanie HedgeThe Fandom Rushes In: Multiplicity and the Evolution of Inclusive Storytelling, Through Fan Participation in The Adventure ZoneMichelle McMullin and Lee W. HibbardThe Limits of the “Infinite Imagisphere”: Collaborative Storytelling and Audience Participation in The Adventure Zone PodcastKira Apple“Is It Thursday yet?” Narrative Time in a Live-Streamed TabletopEmily C. FriedmanBuilding on Resonances: An Interview with TRPG Fan ArtistsStephanie HedgeConclusion: “How do you want to do this?”Stephanie Hedge and Jennifer GroulingAbout the ContributorsIndex