Nicolas Mendez

Senior Project Advisor

Melissa Osborne

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2023

Keywords

TTRPG, College students, Character dynamics, Qualitative, Immersive gameplay, Identity

Abstract

The present study sought to develop a stronger understanding of the impact of Tabletop Roleplaying games (TTRPG’s) on college students. Data from 17 one-on-one interviews as well as 18 survey responses from students attending Western Washington University were used. The qualitative data was coded using first, second and third order coding with the use of digital coding software Atlas.ti. Of the 12 codes found from the interviews, the “Beyond Part” and the “Player versus Character” themes were examined. My analysis found that players experience the impacts of TTRPG’s beyond the table on both an individual level as well as on a group level. Furthermore the TTRPG’s help players define their identity as far as gender, sexual orientation and other personal identities such as religion. In addition to exploring identity, players also found many therapeutic aspects through the relationship between them as a player and their character. The results found in this research add to the literature exploring the impacts of TTRPG’s and are discussed in terms of their application to areas beyond the hobby as well as future research direction.

Department

Sociology

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Fantasy games; Board games; College students; Personality development; Identity (Psychology)

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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Included in

Sociology Commons

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