the universal game

D&D offers an experience like no other

ARTS AND CULTURE | February 2026

In 1974, Tactical Studies Rules published the first edition of Dungeons and Dragons. Under the leadership of Gary Gygax, the studio created a very unique gaming experience: one that was fueled by imagination.

In D&D, players follow and create a story told through a dungeon master (DM) and use their imagination combined with a set of soft rules to keep gameplay balanced and cohesive. They also have the creative freedom to play as a character of their creation, with hundreds of classes, species, and abilities to build a character from.

This unique game-play style captivated the world of physical games and D&D hit an estimated 3 million players by 1981.

It still has a profound influence on the video gaming world, especially in role-playing video games. This success of imagination based game systems with soft rules also sparked many competitors, such as Middle Earth role-playing, Runequest, Traveler and many others. Despite all of these competitors, D&D managed to stay in the spotlight, keeping players engaged in an experience unlike any other.

In recent years, D&D has experienced a huge surge in its player base, reaching 50 million players worldwide. This massive spike in growth can be attributed to the 2014 release of the fifth edition of D&D, which gave players an updated set of rules, classes, abilities and more.

Along with that, the 2016 show “Stranger Things” highly popularized D&D. In the show, the usage of D&D with relatable characters and a highly engaging plot helped diminish the public view of D&D being "nerdy," and raised general curiosity towards the game.

The rise of cloud streaming has also led to a whole host of independent creators who run D&D podcasts and shows, spreading the game's reach to major platforms, such as Youtube, Spotify, and Patreon.

At Century High School, the magic of D&D can be found during every D&D Club meeting.

"D&D Club came to be because me and my friends wanted more chances to play and to give other people who might want to but don't know where to have a chance to play," said sophomore Jorren Kern, D&D Club founder.

During meetings, players take part in epic stories and adventures, all through the power of their own imagination.

"I don't know exactly how to describe it," said freshman club member Benjamin Hovland.

Kern acknowledged that players may feel intimidated by the hundreds of ways to build a character. "D&D can be scary with all the rules. With that though, if you go slow and take your time, it is easy to get into. All you really need is a set of dice, a player sheet and your imagination to get started."

Hovland confirmed learning to play is "super duper easy." Kern also advises new players to "take it slow, ask questions, and have fun because it still is a game."

This easy learning curve of the rules makes D&D very accessible to everyone. As stated by Kern, all a player would really need is a few dice and some paper. In almost no other game can this level of accessibility be found. Once players have a grasp on the rules, the fun can truly begin. From monkey monks, to ranger bipedal dragons, the only limit is a player's imagination.

Due to the cooperative nature of the game, it is also a great way to socialize with others. Players can plan with each other, and coordinate attacks, or they can work against each other if they so choose.

It is a game where anything is possible, and everyone can feel like they're on a grand adventure. However, finding time to play can be an obstacle. Hovland said, "The biggest enemy you will ever face in D&D is not the enemy itself in the game but your full calendar."