Dungeons & Dragons

JANUARY 1, 1974

Dungeons & Dragons was the first true role-playing game. Since its creation in 1974, D&D has entranced millions of players; spawned a vast, modern role-playing game industry; and indelibly influenced contemporary geek culture.

D&D introduced the concept of individual characters controlled by players in a game moderated by a referee and set in a fantasy world with magic and fantastic beasts. Designers Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax drew on their previous experience with tabletop wargames and were heavily influenced by fantasy pulp fiction, mythology, and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, and other fantasy authors.

Since its introduction, Dungeons & Dragons has gone through numerous editions and updates for a growing fan base. In 2014 D&D celebrated its 40th anniversary and continues to thrive today.