“Side Quest” takes a historical look at trendy tabletop role-playing games

The world of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGS) has never been larger. Current theater programs and podcasts are everywhere, a 20-sided dice just graced the cover of a special edition of Time magazine, and the audience watches the players roll the dice live on Broadway. Local artist and educator Steenz and author Samuel Sattin live in this rich environment Side Quest: A Visual History of Role Playing Games was published.

Published by Versify earlier this month, this illustrated history of the TTRPG genre goes far beyond its humble beginnings Dungeons & Dragons. In fact, the history of role-playing games – and imaginative play in general – begins in ancient times. Side quest takes the readers along magic School bus–Travel to Han Dynasty China, 6th-century India, Ancient Rome, and more as it examines the role-playing games large and small that existed before modern tabletop games.

The project came about for Steenz and Sattin as both were pursuing new projects. Sattin had long been interested in writing a history of role-playing games, and Steenz had become interested in this space during his work Rolled And ToldLion Forge’s monthly roleplaying magazine.

Together they have created a volume that tells the story of this diverse, complex space without getting too bogged down in timelines and technical details. Page SearchFittingly, it plays out like an adventure. It combines lessons, memoirs and adventures from the past into a seamless narrative that manages to paint a complete picture of the world of role-playing games – all in under 200 pages.

“We wanted it to feel like we were guiding you through the story as the narrator,” says Steenz. “We didn’t want to make a book that was just a glorified Wikipedia page. We’re not trying to make a textbook, but we definitely wanted it to be educational and serve as a resource.”

Much of the research was done by Sattin when he wrote the script for the comics, while Steenz provided illustrations full of fun details and historical artifacts.

“All the time, [Sattin] I also put together a visual reference library for myself, which was really helpful. We travel through space and time, and there were no cameras in Han Dynasty China,” laughs Steenz. “So we had to do more research. In some cases I used vases and tapestries as reference.”

That was also important to the authors Page Search was an accessible addition to the gaming space. Some role-playing games, such as D&D And scouthave a high barrier to entry and require several expensive books, dice, and other materials depending on your play style. With Page Searchreaders can get a comprehensive introduction to the space and its contents, and even try out a provided adventure, without needing more than a single book and Internet access.

“It’s nice to have something that’s a little more approachable and approachable while also being robust and informative,” Steenz says.

The project took about five years from presentation to publication, and at times the authors wondered whether the wave of popularity caused by features such as: Dimension 20 And Critical role would subside. Luckily for her, the opposite is true.

“It happens all the time that people’s interests ebb and flow, but I just kept seeing more and more people putting out the work they wanted to see,” Steenz says. They say they knew something had changed – that this community was here to stay – when the types of people they saw picking up TTRPG materials at conventions increased.

“There was a lot of diversity, a lot more than a lot of people expect. I think I always had it in the back of my mind that now was the right time to do it [Side Quest] because we are currently in the spotlight on these types of games,” says Steenz. “I hope the way we tell this story appeals to a wide range of players.”

That’s perhaps what they hope for most, says Steenz Page Search serves as an introduction – and even inspiration – for people interested in role-playing games. There is so much more to discover than just Dungeons & Dragonsand both the games and the places to play them are more accessible than ever.

“There are many different ways to get into roleplaying, and hopefully the book is a good way to show that you can take it step by step,” says Steenz. “There is a certain level of imagination that everyone has, and because everyone has it, it’s just a matter of using your taste.”