Lost in isolation and loneliness, I discovered the world of Gundam. From the model kits, video games, and anime, I found that the characters’ struggles often mirrored my own mental health problems. But Gundam inspired hope. In the words of Banagher and Gundam quotes, I found motivation. And in Gundam Unicorn Anime, I finally discovered the true power of possibility.

There are many benefits to playing tabletop games. But does it make a difference if it’s analog vs digital gaming? There are unique benefits and disadvantages to each. How can we make our gaming experiences the best possible, whether it’s together around the table or tabletop gaming online? Here are 12 tips to make the most of your next tabletop experience.

There are many benefits to playing games. When we put down the controller or pack up our dice, the values we learned in playing games stay with us. From video games to tabletop roleplaying games, playing games teaches us about life. Here are the ten most important life lessons that I learned from gaming.

J.R.R. Tolkien’s influence reaches far and wide. Often called the father of modern fantasy, his writings in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings have inspired generations. But what about the man himself? From fellow writers like C.S. Lewis and to college friends, the personal influence of Tolkien is almost as great as his literary legacy. From modern writers to movie stars, to beloved fictional characters and superheroes, here are the 6 degrees of Tolkien.

Most tabletop role players would tell you of the camaraderie and self-confidence they gain through playing games like D&D.  But researchers have taken notice as well.  Beyond the entertainment value, TTRPGs are a healthy habit to form, granting many benefits for improved mental health and encouraging our personal development.

The last few years have seen everything from comic book superheroes to Dungeons & Dragons in the spotlight. While the media has flashed headlines of the “Year of the Nerd.” But for all the positive changes, is being a nerd truly accepted as cool?