Inside the 40 Year-Long Dungeons & Dragons Game | Obsessed | WIRED

Remember that game of Dungeons & Dragons you started when you were 11? What if it never stopped? Robert Wardhaugh has been the Dungeon Master for a D&D campaign that's been going on for over 40 years. In his game, once you start playing...you keep playing.
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[@333dae]

he 100% became a history professor because he wanted to learn stuff for his campaign

[@nilka22nilka22]

so true!! I've become obsessed with learning history for mastering dnd games too

[@leeks1408]

History is the best reference for great storytelling cuz history can be ridiculous!!!

[@luvmenow33]

Lmao. Don't forget tenure! He can then plan his job around the game without fear of losing it. I wonder how many catastrophic events have happened in 40 years. Is it all on a single planet?

[@davidgordillo6583]

@@leeks1408 fr. you can make SO much history into D&D

[@BearsEatBeetz]

He has the exact personality I would expect a 40 year dungeon and dragon pro wld have. 😂

[@d180jnr]

A history professor running a dnd campaign, bet the story is insane

[@spamcan9208]

Or extremely tedious lol

[@davidkrapensits4367]

@@spamcan9208 could very well be

[@elijahvega5915]

I was thinking the same! Sounds so fun

[@lotanowo]

It would make more sense if he was a genre fiction writer. History is not a narrative story with character arcs, and studying history doesn't mean learning the story of the past, even though that's what it seems like it is.

[@thomaslecomte1570]

@@lotanowo I can’t say anything about the quality of his writing. But when it comes to he history background, you can feel it in the interconnection between events, in the grand scheme of things on a large scale, as well as in the context of every place and nation they encounter. You’ve seen how he geeked out at the different time period and civilizations the players would encounter, that’s what you get with a history nerd dm

[@morsarcanus5021]

I really hope this guy recorded or transcribed at least a fraction of his campaigns. 40 years of DnD is bound to have some crazy moments that belong in a history book or even a novel!

[@zorkitipafed4626]

Last summer at the end of my vacation, I found out about the Crutial Role DnD streams. When I realized that they were playing 4 campaigns, three of which already had 150+ stream recordings each, and every stream lasts not less than 3 hours, I knew that I was unlikely to make up for those 8 years of content even in my lifetime. At best I'll have time next summer vacation, but that's only three months. Considering that English is a second language for me, plus I've never read fantasy and therefore have to open an Etymology or Urban Dixtionary for every unfamiliar word, this is an endless source of content. And I have a bunch of other interests that are also covered by specific streamers, and they too have years of content accumulated. All in all, it's hard to be the current generation when you have such a rich selection of entertainment, but you can only snatch a fraction of it. So I can't imagine how much time it would take to react to 40 years of DnD. A few human lives.

[@robertmuller5363]

Whats there Name on twitch?​@@zorkitipafed4626

[@buddhahoodlum1]

​ @zorkitipafed4626 Awesome idea! That would be so much fun watching that on KZbin.

[@greenapple9477]

@@zorkitipafed4626Yeah, that'll take LIFETIMES to get through.

[@Dead25m]

@@zorkitipafed4626 "So I can't imagine how much time it would take to react to 40 years of DnD" Probably.. 40 years

[@mr.ligertiger]

As someone who writes, I absolutely understand weeping at the loss of a character. They’re like an old friend. You know everything about them, you’ve helped them fall in love, start families.

[@deezroastedchestnuts189]

Pathetic

[@nicoornelas5676]

You're also the one the traumatize and absolutely brutalize them in any way you see fit. So I think it kinda balances out lol

[@ilmarinen79]

He should hire a scribe to prepare a recorded history and events of the game. And make it a series of novels and documentaries.

[@b3rz3rk3r9]

The Saga of Wardhaugh. I could totally see that becoming a lengthy book series, possibly outnumbering Guin Saga. If he keeps his notes, God willing, it could be done.

[@justinisorange]

I bet there’s a person in his group who writes everything down

[@Rosso4654]

It probably wouldnt be that good. the fun is experiencing it and it holding meaning to yourself in specific. The story wont need to be amazing

[@hefeibao]

Yeah, surely.

[@michael_0ceanic]

Yessir, signed

[@hulkslayer626]

A history professor, who has crafted a 40+ year D&D game, that has kept friendships alive, and has also brought him closer with his young daughter. If being happy means doing what you love, this may be the luckiest man alive. He has certainly earned it though lol

[@ForeverCacti]

Lol

[@Lyxh]

well said :)

[@Yousef77077]

Lol

[@DGD355]

You think this is fulfilling?

[@hulkslayer626]

@danielG5236 clearly. You think it isn't?

[@lessdatesmoreonmyplates1457]

All I see is a bunch of friendly people doing something extremely fun. Wishing all the best for them and a lot more years of fun ahead!

[@ChickenJoe-tq6xd]

All I see is nerds being nerdy

[@rebeccalassetter1726]

@@ChickenJoe-tq6xd and having fun

[@ciromaia9748]

@@ChickenJoe-tq6xd same thing

[@HelloMoto393]

touch one of his "figs" and see how friendly he is 😂🤣

[@extraterrestrial8888]

@@ChickenJoe-tq6xd okay? And who made your phone? Your computer? Your TV? Your government? Our society is built on nerds, geeks, and dorks. Show some respect.

[@a_jae_doe]

"if you break up with him, I can't break up with him" this game needs to be a sitcom

[@Universal_Craftsman]

I am curious how it works out. Just Imagine the scene of her 10 ex-boyfriends and her current boyfriend playing D&D with her dad in the basement, what a family reunion. 😂

[@MrAndrewaziz]

A man telling his daughter "your relationship might not last forever but the game lasts forever" is next level LOL what a guy

[@thomaskendrick6766]

I was OK with how strange this seemed to me...until he basically said his game was more important than his daughter's comfort level

[@Wartooth91]

@@thomaskendrick6766 i would think he meant on a simple teen break up level. not like if her ex assaulted her would he still invite the guy to play.

[@magosmechanicus4407]

@@thomaskendrick6766 Nahh, a grown man knows that one teenage brokeup is not the end of the world for anyone, and that dont have why disteurbed the storyline of the others. Wise words on disguise: the life goes on.

[@mistersniffers5922]

@@thomaskendrick6766 Yeah, totally. I respect his control of his life and commitment to HIS game, but wouldn't want to spend hours in this guy's house for "fun!" He's not a good dad, he's a committed GM. He's said I/me/my dozens of times, but barely said "their enjoyment" or "their fun." Those are some a big red flags. But oh well, everyone can still have fun their own way.

[@garavanaanoriel4604]

@@mistersniffers5922 As a player, the lifelong friendship thing trumps pronouns used in an interview. I think the fact I've played for 38 of the 40 years suggests I'm enjoying myself and it is rather fun. As a close friend, I'd also suggest that he's not only a committed GM, but a really good dad and friend. He's also had a successful career, even though he's just a mediocre hockey player :P

[@MoonCrab00]

Bro I tried not to tear up when he said "So, as long as I keep doing it, hopefully all my life, I won't lose my friends". That's why he's so passionate. He gets to build a world so everyone has a place to stick together.

[@aclark903]

Man this needs to go on long after he passes, God bless him. Shame to break it up.

[@dddmmi]

Who's cutting onions?

[@geraldhildabrand3864]

Yup nailed it

[@beccaroobanzai8751]

That was the tearjerker for me too

[@gibranmahargasari8403]

OMG SAME!!!

[@eyesore6251]

It's inspiring how someone could be so obbssessed, passionate, & dedicated to something and still maintain a job and family.

[@katiestevenson7742]

That's what I was thinking. 😂

[@Anekiii]

@@katiestevenson7742 It's not hard. It's all about balance.

[@Nobddy]

This guy sounds like a control freak though.

[@Michael-yz5tb]

All good points. Most agree that protecting priority value onto someone else is a fail. That said, I’d be interested in asking what other life activities he focuses on? - travel with his daughter? physical health?

[@bruhbrebro6151]

@@NobddyI mean I wouldn’t want people to touch figurines that I hand painted and have probably kept for over a decade.

[@gibbygibbstein7858]

Dude should definitely stream his sessions

[@CaptainGrogg6109]

then agains it might attract to many new players making it difficult manage sessions

[@ravennfall6034]

it would be watched no doubt, it would also create a revenue stream so he could buy more terrain, Figs. perhaps even give some one a job painting those figs . i was wondering does he let his daughter paint them too?

[@PGFXKiu]

My thoughts too, I would love to tune into a Twitch stream of watching this!

[@extinctriven3113]

"This relationship might not last forever, but the game will". Love is strong, but passion for dnd is stronger.

[@nigelbeuorfondletheknife3971]

Facts

[@qBodi]

a bit too much obsession in those words

[@lukakustudic9466]

boyfriends are temporary,game is eternal

[@qBodi]

@@lukakustudic9466 imagine him dying into the game after 40 years xd

[@vafito44]

Hi

[@AnonymousHamster]

Not gonna lie, I teared up a little when he mentioned how his daughter has been playing with him since she was 6. That's just...so, so sweet.

[@xenird]

And she just had to be a fairy

[@mahmoodabdulbaqi824]

@@xenird whats wrong with fairys

[@xenird]

@@mahmoodabdulbaqi824 nothing, just a 6 yo girl liking fairies

[@mahmoodabdulbaqi824]

@@xenird 💛

[@MrLilli16]

Gyatt

[@BricklyDragon]

Honestly, Dungeon And Dragons players are one of the most creative people there is. They're letting their imagination build a whole new world. I recently got into D&D and it truly is fun to escape the world and go into your own.

[@andreaalbanelli514]

same here, its awesome

[@erich1380]

its funny cuz i love all video games that are themed like it, but i just cant get into the imaginary talk with people irl version. just doesnt seem interesting to me

[@Hertogz]

I saw this video a while ago and decided to watch it again because of Baldurs Gate 3. I have absolutely no DnD experience but can honestly say that I feel excited for this guy, the people that joined his campaign and everyone else who is passionate about it. It definately helps me appreciate the genre even more. Why is this guy not involved in Baldurs Gate development?

[@mglaqft]

because he's busy having fun with his friend

[@xerael4659]

Also, Baldur's Gate is set in Forgotten Realms and (mostly) abides D&D 5e rules. He said that he plays in his homebrew setting with homebrew rules. Though he would definitely be a great asset if someone wanted to develop a Baldur's Gate-like game set in alternative, fantasy version of our world.

[@Kasiarzynka]

I've watched it now for the third time, because KZbin decided I might want to see it again 😅. I'm just finishing the first act of BG3 (I think). I've been a little bit interested in D&D for quite some time now but I never really got into it even on the theoretical level. But now I'm beginning to be introduced to it by BG3 and starting to watch Dimension 20 (a renowned D&D show with a multitude of campaign of various lengths in different settings). I knew I'd probably like it but didn't really find the right entry point up until now, I think.

[@prysma2057]

The would not be "a great asset", the would be THE asset. This guy has a homebrew D&D that has a pretty amount of people playing @@xerael4659

[@genxcrypto526]

I'm a lifelong friend of Robert's and been playing the game for over 25yrs. His commitment and passion is un matched.

[@garavanaanoriel4604]

Hey buddy!!! I'm working through the comments and look who I found. I posted a link to the HIstory, Part I, in reply to the first comment. I just realized you might not recognize me yet. Darian retired, this is the new character. :)

[@potpprinting8334]

Hey gents, Thought I’d find you here! Lhoris; via the 3D print account. Congrats to Robert on 40 amazing years and to all of us for the friendships we’ve made along the way!

[@genxcrypto526]

Haha old friends on a new platform!

[@blackcatredriver5878]

"Commitment and passion" is a nice way to say Rob is clinically insane. But yes -- how else would one keep the same game going for 40 years?!

[@WillyLee23]

This story is amazing, tell Robert he’s an inspiration!

[@MrCalhoun556]

This guy is literally the definition of being dedicated. He became a history professor just to craft more believable worlds for his DnD game. Insane.

[@gdust6579]

hes living his dreams lol

[@chefduke3719]

Or insanity.

[@markjones1337]

Bet he never made love to a woman in 'real life'.

[@vrclckd-zz3pv]

@@markjones1337 It shows you his daughter in the video lol.

[@joshpzueck6320]

@@markjones1337 it literally shows his daughter. Not to mention she is an absolute baddie. I bet he had a real dime

[@Gutted925]

So much passion, so inspiring to see someone who truly just loves what they do and has found their place.

[@jichaeljuicy4047]

Honestly this is amazing. I've been playing dnd for about 3 years and have dm'd a number of games. I would love to be where this guy is today in regards for his story and also having consistent players that show up for sessions.

[@chillin5703]

Honestly, lots of respect to this guy. He's managed to raise a family, have a successful career, and maintain a major hobby simultaneously. That's major balancing, and it's admirable.

[@sjoerdgalema5007]

I seriusly want to play dnd but i dont know the f ing basic rules

[@Legofromthelowerlands020]

@@sjoerdgalema5007 dwarves always win

[@deeree1037]

He’s a cereal killer

[@fes4861]

@@deeree1037 niceeee

[@tudoroltean3183]

@@sjoerdgalema5007 Honestly its not that hard if you have some basic gaming knowledge(conceptualizing buffs/ modifiers/etc.), if you have played any RPG video game you cam probably get the hang quite quickly. if not, its still easy and most players and DMs love having new players learn the game. What I will say is that the right group makes all the difference. so if you decide to take the plunge and the first experience isn't ideal don't give up and maybe try with a different group.

[@ThisIsANameBruh]

I was half expecting him to say that if you die in the game they kill you in real life. *That's how hardcore this game is*

[@Tom-ym2id]

Oh man I got a good laugh out of that

[@swongsonvanee]

lol

[@Daemowa]

thats my kind of humour :D

[@halrd2651]

SAO happened last year

[@Jokesonyou123]

Lol dude 😂

[@edgarbenjoseph3879]

I love the way he speaks. Very precise, smart and passionate. I'm sure it must be very fun to have him tell stories as you play.

[@CamperCarl00]

For anyone looking to DM, you don't have to take it to this extreme to make a great game for your players. Digital tools exist to make everything easier and modules (pre-written campaigns) can help you with establishing the setting. Heck, I commonly use other people's dungeon maps as inspiration for my own.

[@constantwin]

Having played all my campaigns with DMs who provided less than my maybe $300 of investments into TTRPGs, you don't even need this. Theater of the Mind is plenty good, and making your own maps makes everyone come up with potentially differing worlds, which is interesting in its own way.

[@markherring3513]

Yeah..but given the choice between digital or this guys set up, im going with him 100% of the time.

[@prysma2057]

Dang sure, this is an experience humanity was born for @@markherring3513

[@rnsdm5076]

This man needs to have a giant warehouse with his entire world laid out.

[@Mrslideways]

agreed

[@theeatherlash69]

@@Mrslideways I would fund his kick-starter, even if I never, ever got to step foot in it.

[@Mrslideways]

@@theeatherlash69 I would fund the whole frickan company that gave him the idea of a kickstarter

[@karkkimarkkinat2109]

I hate the modern world

[@whome.773]

@@karkkimarkkinat2109 ok boomer

[@cheeseburger1293]

I just want a 5 hour long video explaining the whole time line of this game with all the character events, deaths, additions, and story arks now, this is so impressive and admirable

[@jonintrovertednerd9988]

I don't think your attention was too great during this video even. How would you think that 5 hours is enough to explain everything in details?

[@MrFlutsh]

@@jonintrovertednerd9988you can resume a country's history in a few hours, it's maybe not complete but you can have an idea of the thing....so why not here!?? (But yeah, the all story in details...in 5 hours....this is impossible!! Maybe the 500 characters if you rush it haha)

[@capealio]

@@jonintrovertednerd9988 yeah for real more like 50 hours

[@travisv6408]

Turn it into a giant book!

[@davidgomes4408]

Quick math: - a 4 hours critrole or D20 session's KZbin recap is usually anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes long. Let's average at 20 minutes. Meaning the 4 hours were divided by 12. - this campaign has been going for 20800 hours. Divided by 12... ...means you want to watch a 1733 hours and 20 minutes long video. 🤔 No you don't. You want to read the book.

[@abdelmouladhia8560]

He does what he loves, meets a lot of new nice people, and most importantly didn't lose his old friends. Bro is winning at life ❤

[@PersonAliveYes]

He really is. ✨

[@-ShiraZen-]

I've wept because of RP multiple times, and I'm not ashamed of it. When you get that immersed into a serious tale and everyone at the table is just as immersed as you -- it's a sensation like no others. Roleplaying and storytelling is the essence of the human experience. Telling tall tales and making up fantasy has been part of all cultures for thousands upon thousands of years.

[@znn4125]

yeah right…

[@CrabbyCallahan72]

@@znn4125 trust me bro if you got a taste of what it's like you'll understand..

[@BlueJayYT]

I've never wanted to be invited to something so badly before, this sounds like the coolest experience

[@youwouldntclickalinkonyout6236]

YOOOOO didn't expect to see you here, lets hope the YT Algorithm does the same as this video to yours. Great stuff!

[@TheEncouragementKid]

Fax! D&D is so much fun and the DM makes that happen

[@protorhinocerator142]

Makes me wonder what it would take to create a D&D theme park only smaller like maybe an escape room but bigger. Imagine you pay a couple hundred bucks, they assign you a character, and you join a campaign for a week or so. 5-10 other people there with you in the same campaign. You may not know them at first. Who cares?

[@benmiles00]

Yeah me too mate!!

[@MrLeroyFox]

Can't touch anything on the table? No thanks.

[@Spaceboyy95]

This guy needs to write books on exactly what happened in the campaign for 40 years. I'd buy that book so fast.

[@Ryrynz2000]

He's too dedicated to the game to write a book 😂

[@davereeves1967]

Too busy playing the game.

[@anyname4306]

@Spaceboyy You should give "The Malazan Empire" a read then. That's exactly what happened with this book series. 2 guys were playing a game like DnD, created a massive world and wrote a lot of books about it. The main book series alone is 10 books long and praised as a mature, dark and phiolosophical achievement. I haven't read it myself, but found a comment once that described it as "A 10 book analysis of the human being".

[@joshpzueck6320]

He needs to make it into a game of thrones type show that would be sick

[@vicopujia]

We will see that when he dies and this would be the next Lord of the rings

[@user-oo8jc7ge2q]

after just picking up baldurs gate 3 and really learning what DnD is for the first time, i just gotta say im amazed by it all and this is insane

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

1:56 Okay that lower one of the most beatiful and badass things ive seen. If is a dwarf i was already interested in the race before and now im even more.

[@malibujukebox]

His ending points on DnD correlating with friendships is spot on. If me and my friends didn't have our DnD campaign as our weekly event, we'd not see each other as much. Games bring friends together.

[@ertavampy4622]

My favorite part is when he talks about the three countries of England, Italy, and Africa.

[@PeteQuad]

@@ertavampy4622 you heard England and Italy but that's not what he said

[@ertavampy4622]

@@PeteQuad 2:42 This guy is a "history professor" and his universal medievel "African" villages are straw huts. If he wasnt a history professor you could chalk it up to ignorance but he is so its intentional.

[@PeteQuad]

@@ertavampy4622 wow listen again and tell me again where those country names were said

[@ertavampy4622]

@@PeteQuad lol um maybe you should do some research into what anglo means and who the saxons are, and then look up where the city of rome is on a map. 👍🏼

[@FutureWarCultist]

Bro needs a real scribe. Could have written an entire series of fantasy just documenting this game

[@nuke___8876]

Given the time and scale of his game, I'm sure this guy keeps meticulous records.

[@bubblesfractals]

@@nuke___8876 now im hoping i see it in my lifetime 💀

[@melissasullivan1658]

@@BooksRebound I can’t get through Book 1. All I know is that I really want to chuck a puppet off a cliff. That’s where I’m at. 😂

[@garavanaanoriel4604]

The players collaborate in recording much of the storyline and in developing detailed elements of their own cultures. One of us writes a "report" that tells the story of every session played (in a couple pages). With so many players, we do not all play every session so this written story is important to ensure everyone who plays is up to speed on what is happening in the campaign. Over the years, thousands of these reports have been archived.

[@toribiogubert7729]

@@garavanaanoriel4604 for curiosity sake, how often sessions hapoen and how long they go?

[@user-mp1ew1lm6e]

This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my entire life. I knew you could play DnD for several hours, days, even weeks. But I never imagined that there could be a campaign that could last this long, that's your second life at that point. I'm 19 years old, I hope I'll live long enough to see something like this on computer. Like a BG3 but online and infinite.

[@gustavodeandradenascimento]

Is simple and possible, you just need to be the game master forever, or you could bring AI

[@fazzel4481]

This is very awesome, I can literally feel his passion for the game, and to keep those game playing as long as he did he should've break one or two Guinness world record by now.

[@jaberus2]

Imagine if they had hired a scribe to write out each session. Then they converted each year into a series of books and released it to the public to read.

[@jerrysstories711]

Hire a scribe? Recording the games electronically might be simpler...

[@jerrysstories711]

Jokes aside, I wouldn't want to play in a game that's being recorded as a product. It would kill the natural spontaneity, make people self conscious, make it too much about pleasing the audience rather than on the folks at the table having fun. I've hosted a few just storytelling groups, and the people were initially annoyed I didn't let them recorder were later glad I stopped them.

[@Pooknottin]

@@jerrysstories711 That's interesting. I've been a GM for a long time and I've never had a player that wanted to record a session. Perhaps it's a generational thing.

[@jerrysstories711]

​@@Pooknottin Oh, I think it's almost certainly a generational things. "These kids these days! Can't have so much as an interesting conversation without them wanting to record it for a podcast! Why, back in MY day...."

[@Pooknottin]

@@jerrysstories711 I'm not that old, but I'm getting there.

[@FuzzySamurai]

i hope he writes a book about the adventures they had. would be a great read for sure

[@Wingedmagician]

They should hire Brandon Sanderson asap

[@davide7019]

So true

[@dylanjohnson4624]

It’s all made up

[@Scerotic]

If that were a series I’d read that lol

[@chrisbrammer722]

Movie coming to a cinema near toy

[@ZeusWeusFilm]

This is honestly one of the coolest things i've seen, it'd be class to be a part of something like this.

[@T-Cup314]

Love it ! So creative. Keep going dude you have the passion.

[@andymcdougall9385]

I’ve been playing a dnd game for 12 years now, session 1 was back in 2010, session 2 is yet to happen due to scheduling issues but I’m hopeful

[@Gabriel-ve2gj]

So you havent been playing a dnd game for 12 years... youve been WAITING to play a dnd game for 12 years

[@themanhimself436]

waiting 12 years is some major hopium my friend

[@halocray]

I've never seen a joke fly past multiple people that fast and majorly.

[@orfeo793]

that reminds me, I have a yu-gi-oh duel to get back to, some day...

[@true_plays_games]

@@halocray impressive lolol

[@Om3gaAlphaB3ta]

when he said '100 years ago.. which was 1989' was when I realized this man has such an insanely complex storyline for this and its probably the greatest tale ever

[@Legohaiden]

In reality the man has probably written enough lore and story to fill several collections of books... (ie. The frozen age, the Enlightened age, etc etc)

[@lucasbayout195]

@@Legohaiden this guy need to put this lore out !!!

[@Arniox]

Yeah this waa nuts to me. Just to think that 100 years of ingame time has been played out in real time and dozens of generations have actually been playes by people.

[@marz_mitzi]

oh god tbh, kinda tragic that in 2089.... 1989 was 100 years ago im scared

[@ablus]

@@BeautifulGreen252 i know you're trying to be edgy but that's just factually incorrect

[@elserpiente98601]

I’d be interested to hear more about his campaigns! Has he ever considered recording and publishing some of these D&D sessions?

[@graenovember]

This is so admirable like honestly it sounds like he's unapologetically happy and i'm happy for him

[@xorozoro1172]

Netflix should hire this guy and produce a series for each depicting stories of some of his player's characters.

[@Pyronormalactivities]

100%

[@sgtbeercanyt]

Animate it like the old heavy metal movie and im in

[@sirspookyface1532]

That series would last decades

[@Matti2ooo8]

Dungeons and Dragons: Roll to survive

[@eclatshwartzbaumcybertune2063]

Yes!!

[@thomasdr08]

I REALLY need a full documentary on the history of this game. Stories, interviews, discussions on the progression of the story, everything. Most video games and franchises don’t last this long… this guy’s a legend

[@jennifer14256]

That would be a great documentary

[@thebearmon5140]

Underrated comment

[@dfhellraiser4td]

Right!? I'm intrigued! I want to know everything!

[@alexdasilva2578]

This right here

[@dasparado]

This guy should make a youtube channel just talking about the history of the game.

[@sombra2]

well this man does what he loves and he does it with passion. I'm no longer into RPGs but I would still love to give it a go one day with him. What an awesome thing to do.

[@blackcatredriver5878]

I've had the pleasure of being in Rob's campaign for over 30 years now (since he came to Winnipeg for university in 1990). I'm on my 5th character right now, who is the grand-daughter of my 2nd character. Part of the allure is having these family lineages, and all the stories/history associated with those lineages, that you can draw upon when role-playing. I already know as well what my next character will be, because my current character's daughter is my only viable option, and I've been mulling over her possible paths for a while now. Rob is indeed a bit of a crazy DM, but we all keep coming back to the game because it is a well-oiled machine, there's lots of room for player co-creation in terms of the world-building, a compelling narrative (or more accurately, series of narratives), there's sometimes high drama and inter-personal conflicts (in-game and, occasionally, out of game), and at the end of the day: it's fun!

[@SharpKris]

Is there any way that he will post his homebrew version of the rules? I'm extremely curious

[@benjaminholcomb9478]

I'm sure somebody would be willing to scribe it out for him, it seems so interesting and indepth

[@alexisvillanueva1570]

Just because of your username, read the comics for black powder red earth.

[@blackcatredriver5878]

@@alexisvillanueva1570 I saw that was a video game, but didn't know it was comic too.

[@blackcatredriver5878]

Some of the broad strokes about the rules are posted in the game links in the video notes above. There's one link to the Instagram page for the game, and one link to an external (public) website that explains some of the history in more depth. Our internal website is for players only.

[@OneRedKraken]

A DM able to keep the attention of players for that long is nothing short of a wizard.

[@Chris-en1ym]

I disagree I think a red troll can keep their attention that long If he wields the hypno skull ring of assery.

[@ghostslayer3183]

1d4 time dmg

[@Ronin_Hood]

s of the coast

[@xdude736]

Probably casts charm person on every player!

[@matsveritas2055]

ALL HEIL! 🙇🏼‍♂️🔥

[@LazyDinoz]

I’m obsessed with dungeons and dragons have loads of the characters and books but this is in another level!i love it❤

[@skyhigh747]

What a fantastic eloquent passionate man. Respect.

[@truthisreal.]

This guy became a history professor so he could have the knowledge to continue his epic DND campaign. Respect.

[@thirdwelles]

What's even more insane is that the campaign predates his teaching career, and likely even predates his aspirations to become a history professor.

[@333dae]

he got his current house for the gaming space in the basement, he definitely took up history all the way to becoming a professor to make his campaign better

[@eldritchsheep6801]

Something tells me he became a history professor for the express purpose of learning more for his campaign

[@kx7zz]

That’s cool tho to see this dude genuinely happy & so passionate about his craft

[@jasonficcone2605]

He needs automated vertically rotating shelves, with one or two dedicated to each type of thing. And you can just rotate the shelves until he's got the set of figures or terrains that he needs. It's a real space saver for him.

[@2beJT]

I LOVE seeing people do the things they love. What a wonderful story.

[@iamvulgar8188]

This guy should really take the past 40 years of history, characters, and lore in his world and write a series of books. I bet people would love it. "Based on a 40 year running D&D campain."

[@blueley0948]

I don't read, but I'd definitely read this

[@odinokarin9276]

Its Game of Thrones but based on real Events that kinda happened :D

[@LayllasLocker]

ye. Totally agreed!

[@germancomment2244]

True. Would really love to hear more about the story

[@estofadodecarne]

amen

[@BakedPotatoYT1]

This guy has the same passion as other game developers and writers, only difference is that he's pouring it on D&D while the others are pouring it in game development. This type of passion for a certain thing is what I want.

[@Old_Longshanks]

What's stopping you? Grab a laptop Start learning Its what I did

[@DeletedDevilDeletedAngel]

​@@Old_Longshanksfriends... that's what stops him

[@pear-zq1uj]

@@Old_Longshanks he wants to find passion for something, not necessarily dnd

[@ZX-ou5op]

@@pear-zq1uj He didn't mention D&D, he just said to grab a laptop and start learning.

[@EdwardGutierrez90]

Yeah and im sure this person doesnt want some douche higher up telling him what to add to his game (like bs transactions) that ruins companies or get people to lose their jobs, mad props for this fellow nerd🤘🏼🔥

[@Cosmiccoffeecup]

His commitment level is amazing.

[@codfather6583]

"But... i have been with you guys for 40 years..." - "Sry.. your dead. you're gone"

[@user-gg7xb2os9y]

😂

[@bk-lx6cb]

After 40 years of leveling up I'm sure one them there ol wizards has a resurrect spell 🤷‍♂️

[@niebl]

Actually I think the plot armor would be so strong then that they just come back as a ghost or something

[@alpha_9997]

You could make a new charchter though? I dont play but isnt rhat normal?

[@alpha_9997]

Wait never mind he said he would do that lmao

[@st0rts11D4]

He should write a book on the history of the game, deeds that happened and sell them in chunks. Like a Simarillion type deal

[@ytsucksnowwiththisrealname1096]

I'd read that! Nah just kidding, I can't read.

[@bakedstreetyt]

that would be really cool

[@SapientEudaimonia]

No time to write books. There are figs to paint and stories to play!

[@Naturalcalvezilla]

@@SapientEudaimonia he probably have everything noted somewhere, loving a game enough to play it for 40 years , im pretty sure he still keeps everything somewhere, he didnt need to write everything just give the notes to some editor .

[@SapientEudaimonia]

@@Naturalcalvezilla Good point!

[@andreistan7552]

I love this guy. so awesome to do what u love with such passion and to have your kid involved as well

[@Whizzer_]

The world needs more people like this guy!

[@TheDuelMaster]

Honestly genuine respect to that guy. Just a dude having fun with his life and that’s what we all try to achieve

[@photobackflip]

"When you break up with him, I can't break up with him" - why would you respect that decision?

[@kan6039]

@@photobackflip I mean many peoples family become attached to their family members significant other and are still friends with that person after they break up you are just looking for something to hate on him for

[@photobackflip]

​@@kan6039 It all depends on if they end on good terms or not. But really it should be the daughters decision, not the fathers. But I wonder where his line is for disturbing his game? Like if they broke up due to him being abusive would he still be allowed to play?

[@mochalo4912]

your goal in life is just to have fun ? (i explained my view below in the reply section , stop replying to my comment every time you see it plzzz)

[@kan6039]

@@mochalo4912 that is not a bad goal in life it's actually a pretty good one even if it is simple

[@the_Googie]

How freaking insanely cool is this. In-lore 100 years ago was an event that happened IRL in 1989??? Imagine one of the dedicated players who's character was literally present a hundred years (IRL 33 years prior) ago and now today dies while trying do defeat the demon that resurfaced after 3 IRL DECADES, IMAGINE THE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION. This man is a TRUE GAMER

[@josephdelaney5681]

puts my game into perspective my 2 long form games have lasted IRL 3.5 years and 2.5 years but in game only 6 months passed in the first game and the current game about 9 months have passed.... Man this guy plays very quickly in his time tracking.

[@eclatshwartzbaumcybertune2063]

I got to your comment - when it was mentioned in the video lol .

[@the_Googie]

@@josephdelaney5681 ive never played DND. Sounds so cool

[@HarrDarr]

@@josephdelaney5681 it probably went quicker at the start, like they play 1 campaign and then he needs to prepare another one with a time skip inbetween and eventually he's become so good at increasing the scope and creating an expansive campagin so now they are much bigger we also don't really know how often they play, if they play a ton then go figure

[@Anudorini-Talah]

Its all made up and chaotic, no real rules when there are rules for everything when there can't be rules for everything.

[@SYSRQLLQRSYS]

the hours is just the actual in game time. imagine how much time the dude spends outside of the game to make everything and write everything. an absolute artist.

[@mylifeontour6664]

I found this quite moving. there is a lot of beauty here. What a legacy!

[@arcreehysteria9805]

it's often hard to imagine a very old man playing these kinds of games but in this game I can picture a 80 years old game master with his knowledge of his world being the best game master ever

[@DarkestCrusade]

what do you mean? when i retire it will be one big lan party with the boys until we all go to valhalla. XD

[@merlynscave1821]

actually Gary Gygax didn't develop the game for " kids" to play it was intended for a mature audience of young adults and up. If you look at the original rules and game mechanics there used to be a lot of math involved that most individuals younger than a freshman in high school wouldn't understand.... I will only mention Dice Curves as an example.... The game is for all ages now. it has been dumb down and made easier for younger people to enjoy the game... I, however, do not like any edition after 2nd ...but that's just my personal preference.

[@ryang2573]

Imagine the rest homes of the future. Instead of a bunch of geezers playing Bingo and Bridge you'll have competitive Halo and CoD tournaments.

[@siggie8610]

@@DarkestCrusade To valhalla!!! XDDDDDDDDDDDD

[@ivanlagrossemoule]

@@ryang2573 It's going to get weirder, because some people will think CoD is casual junk, while others will have grown up with Fortnite and whatever games will come in the future. Maybe I'll get to call an 80 year old a stupid zoomer when I'm old.

[@Praxxus55712]

I started playing in 1980. It's the most incredible game. Robert is the ultimate dungeon master. Very cool. :)

[@irakligaming134]

i don't even know what it is 😂😂 like how do u even play it?

[@alkemi9946]

You play a character in a fantastical realm, and if you try do a specific action like lockpick or cast a spell or attack something it usually requires a dice roll. Add roleplay and you got a summary of Dungeons and Dragons.

[@11th_defender51]

@@irakligaming134 you've never heard of d&d? That's pretty surprising. If you want to know you can search it up.

[@exosproudmamabear558]

@@11th_defender51 Searching does nothing actually even watching videos is not enough you need to play to understand which is the reason I still cant understand

[@lars309]

@@irakligaming134 think of it like creating a super hero. Your character has stats or special abilities. You want to become more powerful by leveling up. The DM controls the environment like narrating a story. You can attempt to do anything you want....climb a wall, pick pocket, swim, all depends on your success of rolling a dice and your abilities. The game encourages diplomacy among players, reading, math and a overall sense of comradery. Amazing memories sitting around a D&D table with friends eating snacks, telling stories and defeating the bad guys!

[@anidiotmakesthings]

I’ve always wanted to get into D&D but these are the types of friends I have that play it and they don’t shorten their games.

[@kenshn22828]

I admire this mans dedication and consistency. I wish i had 10% of this mans commitment.

[@astrovation3281]

So basically this dude spends his entire life being creative af and sharing that with everyone, incredible

[@610231718]

What we strive for!!

[@mickwilson4257]

Wow Yes! Love this guy's energy =- so passionate. And 99% of responses share this passion. Wow!!! I haven't playing this game for ~30 years but fondly remember playing it most weekends. My DM was awesome - the occasional figurine and hand drawn maps in real time, but the scene created in his and our individual imaginations. Would so much be playing again if I knew this guy and had the opportunity to join his campaign(s)

[@MRB96]

And on top of that, this guy is an incredible artist, craftsman, storyteller and I bet he is also an excellent host to the people who come to play the game

[@nilvoidzero000]

All the other stuff are good, but he could do a better job with the female figurines lol

[@notting2640]

Nah he looks like a very egotistical domineering DM tbh 😂 would never personally play with him

[@Matty-md7pi]

@@nilvoidzero000 what does that even mean

[@rotritter]

@@Matty-md7pi probably painting them better but i dont see it much of a problem imo

[@Trollionaire-mn9nm]

@@nilvoidzero000titties not large enough

[@ericoftheotherworld1525]

That's cool, I love to hear stories about people's passions like this.

[@bartholomew1096]

Id love to read his campaign as a book series. Must be insane

[@AxleTrade]

I honestly wouldn't mind not having direct "control" over the figurine of my character. This man clearly dedicated his life to the game and people continue to drop in and play his campaign/s, he knows what he's doing.

[@HeadMaster95]

He's his own Shakespeare and I wouldn't want to interfere with his play, that's for sure.

[@youtmeme]

I find it weird, if you've been playing for a long time, that a player wouldn't have brought their own character to the game!! that only they could touch!!😉😜

[@haroldharold9042]

if I spent thousands of hours painting those figs I wouldn’t want anyone else to touch them either haha

[@bandhi9]

@@youtmeme i saw in the hands of one of the players a figurine so im sure many of them bring their own figurine

[@ElShogoso]

I just wouldn't want to be part of this game in the first place. I like RPGs and all but I don't like when it's taken so seriously. For me it's just a bit of fun with friends. I'm not ever gonna be this commited to a game. Very impressive stuff, I respect his commitment to the hobby and creativity, just saying it's not for me.

[@realbrobo]

this guy isn’t a dungeon master, he is The Dungeon Lord

[@user-vp8mu5fj7o]

Lord/Master, same thing really.

[@rickyschwiderson7737]

This guy is the dungeon god

[@dancollin3465]

WRONG!!! He is the Dungeon God!

[@premenband]

@@dancollin3465 *God Just God lol

[@teddyschlong9063]

Pretty sure DM means Dungeon Messiah

[@sneakygunner23]

He was a professor of mine at Western for a fourth year history course. Just did our first DND session with some buddies tonight and they pull up this video. Wild

[@TheRainbowBroX]

A bit weird to me how he talks about the game being about friendship but will then kick people out of the the table if their character dies. And i know he said that's not always the case but that implies it's happened and sounds decently frequent to boot. This is definently interesting but given everything i've heard here not the kind of DM i'd want. Happy for him and everyone in his life though that this has been such a major part of it because it really is a fantastic hobby that can be enjoyed in so many different ways.

[@jacksteven7241]

Maybe they were problem players.

[@bigwigbirdman]

This is so trippy, this guy taught me in second year and his daughter went to my high school! It's kind of mind-blowing because I've only heard him talk about Canadian history before now 😳

[@qiblik]

Seems like the guy's also a professional, dont mix business with pleasure.

[@alrightokay1771]

He's a Canadian teacher then?

[@kutter_ttl6786]

@@alrightokay1771 Yes. He's a professor at the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario).

[@bigwigbirdman]

He does the mandatory second year history course at UWO, super good prof.

[@sleepyjo9340]

@@bigwigbirdman what does he cover history wise?

[@filthybadger0318]

Never played this game before but this guy is living his best life obviously

[@drunkenpirate3201]

He's single so yes he is 😂

[@aussieseal9979]

@@drunkenpirate3201 ahaha I'm unhappy in my marriage ahahaha

[@nincumpoop9747]

I think it’s safe to say there are better options for single life.

[@puffolotti]

@@nincumpoop9747 it's also safe to say there are worse options for single life.

[@ablus]

@@nincumpoop9747 i think its safe to say that its completely subjective

[@williamwallace4080]

Played this for every weekend for 1 or 2 years. Was awesome.

[@Willy_Warmer]

This man is a walking W bro. The fact that he lets people play indescriminantly is awesome.

[@adronius147]

And also how he is so committed to accommodating those players, like even when his daughter brought her boyfriend to the game, "you can break up with him, but I can't break up with him". I wish I could commit to anything a fraction as hard as this man.

[@TheDragonshunter]

This man has probably the most epic story moments in dnd history that he might not even remember z_z

[@Farnciss]

"in the bushes you encounter Julius Caesar but he got stab by Hitler so uhhh, roll for initiative"

[@elmoisamac]

Being a history professor, I imagine he keeps meticulous notes.

[@thevillagetroublemaker]

He probably does, epic.

[@spikey288]

@@elmoisamac he would have to, every detail is important to remember otherwise the story will get messed up.

[@agentbarron3945]

he keeps logs of everything, the reason they said "he might need to get a bigger house" is because he has decades of papers of all the characters and everything that happened to them

[@michaelcherokee8906]

Oh look, a guy who's doing something that makes him and others happy. Lets encourage more behaviour like this.

[@mouthwasher]

That doesn't need to be encouraged. It's innate.

[@onecalledchuck1664]

This is the internet, that's not how it works!

[@FlynLatif]

NO LETS SHAME HIM OUT OF EXISTENCE NO FUN ALLOWED

[@onecalledchuck1664]

@@FlynLatif

[@jetbricksstudios5530]

Why does this sound so condescending

[@Cuupi]

I was a volunteer for my college theater, my 'boss' is a DND guy too, with all these prop, figs and settings as well, whenever he wants to make something, he just goes to the basement (where we all spend most of our times at creating chairs, props etc) and he would zip ba beem baboom and tadaa he made it, and then he goes back to his room which is like a regular teacher room but filled with all of this magical things

[@cat_astronaut_]

The fact that he's an history professor makes it even more interesting!

[@receivedbeans8555]

I hope his daughter will continue the game after he’s gone. That’d be such an awesome family tradition of having a single game that is passed down through the generations.

[@adamwright4135]

she still won't be allowed to touch the figs tho

[@stevenfisher7828]

@@adamwright4135 there's already a record breaking ouiji board constructed under the house for this very reason

[@hudsondo9581]

I almost died laughing when he was like ya if she gets a boyfriend to play, the game is way more important then my daughters feelings.

[@alabarjhoni9742]

i hope his daughter has a life instead

[@receivedbeans8555]

@@alabarjhoni9742 You can still have a productive life and have hobbies. Now for him it is probably an obsession, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t be able to enjoy it in moderation.

[@ephemeralenhancement9445]

Not every adult has the amount of fun he seems to be having. Everyone should strive to find something that'll entertain them for this many years

[@sirosagaming8228]

Unless it's CDDA. That's a love-hate hobby that'll leave you cynical.

[@bobzandvliet]

@@sirosagaming8228 what is CDDA?

[@sirosagaming8228]

@@bobzandvliet I think this can speak better on it than me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/earSm2djo854hsU

[@MrIIXXIIXXII]

@@bobzandvliet Cataclysm dark days ahead, a rougelike game that is crazy

[@sirosagaming8228]

@@MrIIXXIIXXII see? He gets it

[@wonderbugone]

I don't play D&D, but it's clear as day that anyone who criticizes this guy or his players for being "weird" is just jealous of the joy and purpose they've found in life

[@rolandalphs7022]

The ultimate boys night. I can only imagine the bond in that group of friends that has played together for years.

[@shelbybrown9228]

i don’t think it’s unreasonable at all for robert to move the figurines himself, he put so much effort in and knows exactly how to arrange them i would like that

[@fey9915]

I paint semi professionally and only other people that can touch minis are ones that paid for them to get them shipped over 🤣

[@brodylavoie]

@shelbybrown9228 It's actually strategic and part of the game. Rob moves the figs during play as he accounts for our dexterity, objects in our path, etc. in determining how far we can move. There is no hex grid system; allowing him to be dynamic and fast paced. We do in fact get to touch things, and are often helping with table/scenery change-ups. Edits in the video made it seem pretty harsh lol.

[@soclosetooverdose6410]

@@brodylavoieI wanna play 😭

[@ChatTheChad]

Yeah I think it makes sense right? Particularly when they are creating the story it enables setting the scene better

[@ballstealer]

@@brodylavoie that's awesome

[@lucianorateke9066]

This must be a tremendous experience.

[@MarcosGonzalez-oi7lv]

I love stuff like this , just a dude who really loves what he does

[@coconutgun4383]

The “hardcore” death rule he has makes it so much more interesting IMO. When he was talking about it you can tell he was remembering back to some sad deaths at the table

[@kwest317]

When my first character was killed, I actually cried. Of course i was 9 and it was 1981..😆

[@j3ffn4v4rr0]

Hardcore would actually be, when your character dies, you actually die.

[@gabrielfournier2511]

@@j3ffn4v4rr0 trust me when these dude's character die they die too bunch of diehard nerd

[@Bready_Player_Bun]

@@j3ffn4v4rr0 NO, NOT BLACK LEAF!

[@alexanderthomas4425]

@@gabrielfournier2511 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@CannabisGarden]

I've never played D&D but the sheer commitment and passion that goes into all this is exciting

[@lytheus69]

you definitely should it's a lot of fun if you have a good imagination

[@4sstylz]

Try a RPG, at least one time, at least a « one-shot » mission in a world that you aware of the lore (e.g. Star Wars)

[@counterfifth]

I second that.

[@kizzzash5021]

I third it

[@OriginalKingRichTv]

I fourth that

[@madkir8206]

This is one of those people called geniuses, without a joke. Such love for what he does is something most of us can't even dream about

[@proximitive3872]

This is amazing. I would totally love playing this game

[@kyleganse4978]

I laughed out loud when he explained about his daughter and her boyfriend but the boyfriend kept playing. Honestly this is incredible I would play this dudes game it’s incredible his passion.

[@dan2124]

I'll be honest. I found that super uncomfortable. It's like "wow, nice of you to show your daughter that she means more to you than your D&D game"...

[@MatthewBaka]

@@dan2124 The daughter can get over the awkwardness, the game has been around longer than her or her ex.

[@elaineabreu282]

@@dan2124 yeah that was incredibly creepy honestly. he is saying that the game matters more to him than his own daughter. why he had a daughter at all is beyond me. he didn't have to. the neckbeard above who thinks this is funny is digusting.

[@I-dont-reply]

@@elaineabreu282 the only thing disgusting is you trying to be some creepy backseat parent to a young girl you don’t know, all because you watched a short video and heard him say one comical thing. You’re the type of woman that lost her own offspring so now you live your live pretending to own others. Seek help

[@maxi979]

being friends or being in a relationship means you get to experience different sides a person being in a relationship means you probably live together or whatever two different people might see one person differently if the daughter feels uncomfortable about her ex staying around at times then I'm sure her dad would make a decision

[@ShinobiDrip999]

How he has curated this story is absolutely genius, allowing history to essentially tell the story just add fun creative stuff to it.

[@vilmerplays1959]

He should actually start directing games, I bet he would do a 10x better job then most game companies atm

[@freethinker8603]

no he is just a very high IQ individual. To be considered a genius he needs more psychopathic traits that pushes him out of the basement and to the top of the pyramid

[@Premka81]

Last minute says a lot, respect and I hope you and your bunch of friends stay together until "the world ends"