Using Social Gaming to Reach Under-served Students - Roleplaying Games at Bortz Library

Oct 5, 2026

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A structured guide explaining how social gaming can engage under-served students through purposeful social interaction, identity exploration, shared narratives, teamwork, and skill development. The content outlines concrete game elements such as campaigns, one-shots, and roleplaying frameworks, defines key roles (DM/GM/storyteller, NPCs, PCs) and emphasizes a safe environment for learning conflict resolution. It also covers staffing, time, costs, supply minimums, and practical formats for one-shot vs. campaign sessions, ending with recommended RPG resources.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Social gaming provides

Social Gaming at Bortz Library

The Lingo

Roleplaying Games

Extra Life 2018

Roleplaying Games: The Basics

One-Shot

Campaign

RPG Resources: Dungeons & Dragons (5e)

Maryśka Connolly-Brown Hampden-Sydney College Using Social Gaming to Reach Under-served Students Social gaming provides: ● Structured format ● Social interaction with a purpose ● The ability to try out different identities and perspectives ● Shared mythology and narrative ● Shared goals ● Built-in social groups and relationships ● Ability to explore conﬂict in a safe environment ● IRL interactions rather than screen time ● Time management skills ● Problem solving skills ● Teamwork ● Lifelong friendships ● A sense of accomplishment and increased conﬁdence ● Public speaking skills ● An chance to be seen and valued by others ● A creative outlet ● Relationships with trusted adults But mostly... FUN! You arrive to ﬁnd the entrance to the Dwarven mine has collapsed. What do you do? Social Gaming at Bortz Library The Lingo • Campaign-the long-term adventures of a party of players, this can be one continuous storyline or a series of one-shots of increasing diﬃculty loosely connected; think of it as a series of books • DM/GM/Storyteller-Dungeon/game master; the person who runs a game by guiding the players through a story or mission including playing the NPCs and running combat • NPC-Non-player characters, they are portrayed by the DM and typically exist in the world to perform a speciﬁc function such as supplying information, providing a “hook” or reason for players to embark on an adventure, or running shops and businesses. Some NPCs are 2 dimensional and some can become very important players in the world’s events with their own goals, relationships, and motivations. • One-shot-an adventure or mission that is self-contained and intended to be played in one or two sittings; think of this as a single book in a series or an episode of a TV show • PC-Player character, the players who participate in the game. Players typically develop a character with a speciﬁc race, class, and background and interact with the ﬁctional world in the way their character would • RAW-Rules as Written; the guidelines for the game • Supplements-additional optional rules, options, and settings to be used with core rules Roleplaying Games ● Dungeons and Dragons ● Starﬁnder ● Call of Cthulhu ● Homebrew games ● MANY more... Extra Life 2018 Roleplaying Games: The Basics ● Staﬃng requirements: One staff person (GM/DM/storyteller) per 5-8 students ● Time requirements: 3+ hours for a single game; prep time can vary but can be minimum with premade adventures and random generators ● Cost: $20 to $75 for basic supplies ● Minimum supplies: ■ Character sheets ■ A way to reference the rules (typically core rulebooks or starter set) ■ A campaign or adventure ■ Dice set (number and type will depend on the game) ■ Dry erase, 1 inch grid mat (optional but highly recommended) ■ Something to represent the ﬁgures in combat (optional but highly recommended) One-Shot • Single session (3 to 5 hours) • Self-contained • Little or no character background • Simple goal(s) • Fewer scheduling issues • Very little prep • Parties can be more experimental • Premade characters are common • Characters can be any level (determined by the adventure) • Table rules and etiquette should be discussed at the start or ahead of time • Great introduction to a new game Campaign • Multiple sessions over a period of months or years • Character backgrounds and goals often factor in the story • Individual sessions can be “monster of the week”or an interconnected narrative (or a combination of both) • Players establish long-term goals, NPC enemies and allies, political and social connections • Scheduling can be challenging • Always begin with a session zero to establish session tone, rules, etiquette • Parties are more likely to be deliberately designed and balanced • Typically start at a low level RPG Resources: Dungeons & Dragons (5e) ● Character creation and rules

FAQs

How does social gaming benefit under-served students according to the guide?

It provides a structured format, purposeful social interaction, identity and perspective exploration, shared narratives and goals, built-in relationships, and opportunities for real-life interactions beyond screen time. It also supports confidence, teamwork, problem solving, and lifelong friendships.

What do “campaign,” “one-shot,” and “PC/NPC/DM” mean in the document?

A campaign is long-term party adventures, often a continuous storyline or loosely connected one-shots. A one-shot is a self-contained adventure meant for one or two sittings. DM/GM/storyteller runs the game and portrays NPCs, while PCs are the player characters the students control.

What staffing, time, cost, and supply minimums are recommended for running RPG sessions?

The guide recommends one staff person per 5–8 students and at least 3+ hours for a single game, with prep that can vary. Basic supplies are estimated at $20–$75, including character sheets, a reference for rules, a campaign/adventure, dice, and optional but recommended grid mats and combat figures.

Oct 5, 2026

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