Today’s D&D is not the 1983 AD&D that was around back then and shown in stranger things.

While still the same core concept the use of miniatures and terrains and the stuff you see selling out arenas are tens of thousands of dollars in making it engaging for audiences and viewers.

Miniatures were always part of the game, and now elaborate sets and terrains are due to 3d printing.
Like anything, if you can afford it you do it.

But its rise to mainstream I think is curiosity.
My kids watched stranger things and were fascinated by the idea of a mall to hang out at, or going to an arcade to play video games worse than what they have on their phones.

D&D at its core will be a fit for those with an imagination; those without will never take to it or be interested in it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No

+1 it’s still for losers

This. My teen likes to get boba from a place inside of a comic book store where they play this, and you should see the dirty, smelly people playing.

Anderson Cooper, Dame Judi Dench, Joe Manganiello, James Franco, Stephen Colbert, Dwayne Johnson, Drew Barrymore ...

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/behind-hollywoods-closed-doors-a-912169/
Behind Hollywood’s Closed Doors, A-List Stars Are Playing Dungeons & Dragons

A large number of popular professional athletes play chess these days. It's still not "cool."

-A chess player with chess playing kids

No kidding. I love chess! I don’t play d&d - both for serious nerds

Okay.


New D&D Actual Play Stars Kansas City Chiefs NFL Players

In one of the most unusual collaborations in Dungeons & Dragons history, six NFL players from the Superbowl winning Kansas City Chiefs defensive line swapped strip sacks for saving throws in a new one shot D&D actual play entitled “Dungeons & Defense.“
https://dungeonsanddragonsfan.com/dnd-actual-play-kansas-city-chiefs/

RPGs in the NFL: How One Team Has Embraced Dungeons & Dragons

In Tuesday's Daily Cover story, Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt writes about one of the unique ways some NFL players try to unwind.

RPGs ... or role-playing games for those not in the gaming know. For Myles Garrett, Johnny Stanton and a few of their [Cleveland] Browns teammates, the RPG of choice is the classic Dungeons & Dragons.

The group first formed in September 2020 at Stanton’s behest; as the only one with any prior D&D experience, he served as dungeon master, or DM, and helped everyone choose characters.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/12/07/rpgs-nfl-one-star-embraces-dungeons-and-dragons

Yes, the classic trope of serious nerd NFL players.

Why did you ask if it was cool then if you’re already convinced it is? Get a grip. Not everyone agrees.

I'm not OP. I just came across the conversation.

It's fine. You don't have to agree it's cool, and it doesn't really matter in the great scheme of things. Opinions are opinions, and they always vary, and that is truly fine.

However, the truth of the matter is that it is also being openly played and discussed by, and promoted, by famous actors and comedians, by Super Bowl winning NFL players, and having live versions selling out Wembley Arena and Madison Square Garden, and serving as the backdrop to a popular series, and being covered in magazines like Rolling Stone, and all of that -- which may not make it cool, but is probably why there is more widespread interest.

If your framing for it is limited to "smelly people" who are simply nerds, you're probably due for an update. That's all.

I wasn’t the one who wrote the smelly people comment.

Sure, but that was what the original response was to. I didn't assume you did. You did assume I was the OP, though. I'm not.

I was there when the whole thing started. My brother played. I currently hang out with some people who do improv comedy, but that's not my thing. I do know D&D is seen as improv storytelling in that group.

I don't play D&D either. However, I'm aware that the cultural framing is different for it right now than in the 1980s. That being said, people get to be who they are, and believe what they believe, and you don't owe me (or D&D players) anything at all. That's all fine.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know about “cool” but it is pretty popular. My kids play and they don’t have adhd and aren’t on the spectrum. They are bright kids though. It does require a lot of creativity and cognitive thought to play- so make of that what you will

Way to get a dig in for kids who have plenty of cognitive skill and just aren’t interested.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No

+1 it’s still for losers

This. My teen likes to get boba from a place inside of a comic book store where they play this, and you should see the dirty, smelly people playing.

Anderson Cooper, Dame Judi Dench, Joe Manganiello, James Franco, Stephen Colbert, Dwayne Johnson, Drew Barrymore ...

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/behind-hollywoods-closed-doors-a-912169/
Behind Hollywood’s Closed Doors, A-List Stars Are Playing Dungeons & Dragons

A large number of popular professional athletes play chess these days. It's still not "cool."

-A chess player with chess playing kids

No kidding. I love chess! I don’t play d&d - both for serious nerds

Okay.


New D&D Actual Play Stars Kansas City Chiefs NFL Players

In one of the most unusual collaborations in Dungeons & Dragons history, six NFL players from the Superbowl winning Kansas City Chiefs defensive line swapped strip sacks for saving throws in a new one shot D&D actual play entitled “Dungeons & Defense.“
https://dungeonsanddragonsfan.com/dnd-actual-play-kansas-city-chiefs/

RPGs in the NFL: How One Team Has Embraced Dungeons & Dragons

In Tuesday's Daily Cover story, Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt writes about one of the unique ways some NFL players try to unwind.

RPGs ... or role-playing games for those not in the gaming know. For Myles Garrett, Johnny Stanton and a few of their [Cleveland] Browns teammates, the RPG of choice is the classic Dungeons & Dragons.

The group first formed in September 2020 at Stanton’s behest; as the only one with any prior D&D experience, he served as dungeon master, or DM, and helped everyone choose characters.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/12/07/rpgs-nfl-one-star-embraces-dungeons-and-dragons

Yes, the classic trope of serious nerd NFL players.

Why did you ask if it was cool then if you’re already convinced it is? Get a grip. Not everyone agrees.

I'm not OP. I just came across the conversation.

It's fine. You don't have to agree it's cool, and it doesn't really matter in the great scheme of things. Opinions are opinions, and they always vary, and that is truly fine.

However, the truth of the matter is that it is also being openly played and discussed by, and promoted, by famous actors and comedians, by Super Bowl winning NFL players, and having live versions selling out Wembley Arena and Madison Square Garden, and serving as the backdrop to a popular series, and being covered in magazines like Rolling Stone, and all of that -- which may not make it cool, but is probably why there is more widespread interest.

If your framing for it is limited to "smelly people" who are simply nerds, you're probably due for an update. That's all.

I wasn’t the one who wrote the smelly people comment.

I don’t know about “cool” but it is pretty popular. My kids play and they don’t have adhd and aren’t on the spectrum. They are bright kids though. It does require a lot of creativity and cognitive thought to play- so make of that what you will

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher and have teens of my own. There are some that are into it, but that is no different than any other year. I would not say it is mainstream cool with the majority of the kids.

That doesn't matter. Your kids found an common interest with others and that is great. Maybe it is more popular at some schools.

It might be more popular with quirky kids?

Maybe. I’m coming back here after a few days and reading all of the comments. People keep mentioning ADHD but it’s not just that. My 15 and 18 yo are very different kids and both have ADHD. They do not play this, have never mentioned it and I haven’t heard of it being played by kids at my school where I teach.

It sounds like it is popular in some schools and anytime a group of kids find others with common interests, it’s a good thing.

My 16 yr old younger son has been into D&D since 2020 when he was 11. Library started a virtual D&D club with COVID - he loved it and has been playing since. Most of his friend group plays D&D. His friend group is very diverse. Three are really into theater & music & the arts, 2 are total STEM / robotics kids, 2 are really into sports and are on several HS teams. His HS has a D&D club with multiple campaigns going on. I think it has like 30 students.
But if you ask my 19 yr old college freshman, he will say only the weird kids are into D&D. And to be honest, my younger son is a bit “weird” / neuro-spicy.
It’s ok to be different and like different things. D&D encourages creativity, imagination, and helps them think critically and gain strategic thinking skills. There’s far worse things for teens to be into.

It’s cool for the quirky kids and not a thing for the popular crowd.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No

+1 it’s still for losers

This. My teen likes to get boba from a place inside of a comic book store where they play this, and you should see the dirty, smelly people playing.

Anderson Cooper, Dame Judi Dench, Joe Manganiello, James Franco, Stephen Colbert, Dwayne Johnson, Drew Barrymore ...

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/behind-hollywoods-closed-doors-a-912169/
Behind Hollywood’s Closed Doors, A-List Stars Are Playing Dungeons & Dragons

A large number of popular professional athletes play chess these days. It's still not "cool."

-A chess player with chess playing kids

No kidding. I love chess! I don’t play d&d - both for serious nerds

Okay.


New D&D Actual Play Stars Kansas City Chiefs NFL Players

In one of the most unusual collaborations in Dungeons & Dragons history, six NFL players from the Superbowl winning Kansas City Chiefs defensive line swapped strip sacks for saving throws in a new one shot D&D actual play entitled “Dungeons & Defense.“
https://dungeonsanddragonsfan.com/dnd-actual-play-kansas-city-chiefs/

RPGs in the NFL: How One Team Has Embraced Dungeons & Dragons

In Tuesday's Daily Cover story, Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt writes about one of the unique ways some NFL players try to unwind.

RPGs ... or role-playing games for those not in the gaming know. For Myles Garrett, Johnny Stanton and a few of their [Cleveland] Browns teammates, the RPG of choice is the classic Dungeons & Dragons.

The group first formed in September 2020 at Stanton’s behest; as the only one with any prior D&D experience, he served as dungeon master, or DM, and helped everyone choose characters.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/12/07/rpgs-nfl-one-star-embraces-dungeons-and-dragons

Yes, the classic trope of serious nerd NFL players.

Why did you ask if it was cool then if you’re already convinced it is? Get a grip. Not everyone agrees.

I'm not OP. I just came across the conversation.

It's fine. You don't have to agree it's cool, and it doesn't really matter in the great scheme of things. Opinions are opinions, and they always vary, and that is truly fine.

However, the truth of the matter is that it is also being openly played and discussed by, and promoted, by famous actors and comedians, by Super Bowl winning NFL players, and having live versions selling out Wembley Arena and Madison Square Garden, and serving as the backdrop to a popular series, and being covered in magazines like Rolling Stone, and all of that -- which may not make it cool, but is probably why there is more widespread interest.

If your framing for it is limited to "smelly people" who are simply nerds, you're probably due for an update. That's all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No

+1 it’s still for losers

This. My teen likes to get boba from a place inside of a comic book store where they play this, and you should see the dirty, smelly people playing.

Anderson Cooper, Dame Judi Dench, Joe Manganiello, James Franco, Stephen Colbert, Dwayne Johnson, Drew Barrymore ...

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/behind-hollywoods-closed-doors-a-912169/
Behind Hollywood’s Closed Doors, A-List Stars Are Playing Dungeons & Dragons

A large number of popular professional athletes play chess these days. It's still not "cool."

-A chess player with chess playing kids

No kidding. I love chess! I don’t play d&d - both for serious nerds

Okay.


New D&D Actual Play Stars Kansas City Chiefs NFL Players

In one of the most unusual collaborations in Dungeons & Dragons history, six NFL players from the Superbowl winning Kansas City Chiefs defensive line swapped strip sacks for saving throws in a new one shot D&D actual play entitled “Dungeons & Defense.“
https://dungeonsanddragonsfan.com/dnd-actual-play-kansas-city-chiefs/

RPGs in the NFL: How One Team Has Embraced Dungeons & Dragons

In Tuesday's Daily Cover story, Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt writes about one of the unique ways some NFL players try to unwind.

RPGs ... or role-playing games for those not in the gaming know. For Myles Garrett, Johnny Stanton and a few of their [Cleveland] Browns teammates, the RPG of choice is the classic Dungeons & Dragons.

The group first formed in September 2020 at Stanton’s behest; as the only one with any prior D&D experience, he served as dungeon master, or DM, and helped everyone choose characters.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/12/07/rpgs-nfl-one-star-embraces-dungeons-and-dragons

Yes, the classic trope of serious nerd NFL players.

Why did you ask if it was cool then if you’re already convinced it is? Get a grip. Not everyone agrees.