Gender Rolls: A History of Gender, Identity, and Nostalgia in Tabletop Roleplaying Games
2022-06
View/Download File
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
Gender Rolls: A History of Gender, Identity, and Nostalgia in Tabletop Roleplaying Games
Authors
Published Date
2022-06
Publisher
Type
Thesis or Dissertation
Abstract
Since the mid-1970s, tabletop roleplaying games (TRPGs), epitomized by Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), evolved from a niche hobby into a profitable, transmedia phenomenon. Two moral panics involving children’s entertainment media—the “Satanic Panic” of the 1980s and the news media’s reaction to the Columbine High School shooting in 1999—solidified the public image of the gamer as a White male who was vulnerable to suggestions of violence or self-harm in games. Historically, White men and boys were the assumed audience for TRPGs. This dissertation puts the lived experiences of women and nonbinary gamers from several generations into historical context. It argues that changes to gaming culture have been changes to visibility and accessibility of and for marginalized gamers.
Description
University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. 2022. Major: Communication Studies. Advisor: Laurie Ouellette. 1 computer file (PDF); 208 pages.
Related to
Replaces
License
Collections
Series/Report Number
Funding information
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
Previously Published Citation
Suggested citation
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.