Investigation Check

This month our investigation check takes us (Anthony and Josh) on a journey to understand why dice are such an essential and emblematic element of D&D.

What is it about dice that makes them so iconic to the game? Of all the paraphernalia and equipment we use, why do we use the dice (specifically the D20) as our symbol? Why do we feel so strongly about rolling honestly?

After sharing our initial speculations, we share some responses we gathered from Reddit and the way our questions evolved as we honed in on why dice are so special in D&D. Anthony shares an epiphany which links rolling dice to the release of brain chemicals that occurs when we gamble and can sometimes lead to addictive behavior. This led to an interview with Jason from Critical Dice, an avid purveyor of the dice and their lore, and it’s from him that we learned how polyhedral dice came to be part of D&D. We then sought the expertise of Meghan, a graduate student with a focus in Neurotherapy, to understand more about what goes on in our brains that excites us about rolling the dice. Finally, we process our findings and share our lessons learned with all of you!

Join us as we make an investigation check on this obsession with dice and why we keep the games rolling!

We’re on to our next Investigation Check! This time, we (Anthony and Josh) invite you to join us as we explore why character death is such a crucial part of D&D.

What is it about character death that carries so much weight? But would a game without death be worth playing? How do you make character death meaningful and significant? What alternatives do we have to living just three failed death saves away from despair at all times?

Our investigation takes us first to Reddit, where we gather your thoughts and stories on player character (PC) death. To dig further into the topic, we sit down with Angry, a blogger and independent game designer, to gain from his insight and experience on the topic. We then interview our new friend and expert GiffyGlyph who created Darker Dungeons, a supplement for D&D that actually makes PC death more likely. Finally, we process our findings and share our lessons learned with all of you!

Join us as we make an investigation check on character death in D&D and how we can make the most of a deadly situation!

We’re on to our next Investigation Check! This time, we (Anthony and Josh) invite you to join us as we explore the experiences of women playing D&D.

Do women experience D&D differently than men? Why does the average friendly local game store predominantly attract men? Is there a difference in D&D culture when at home, in local, and in global culture when it comes to women playing? Do women have the same authority and voice in the larger D&D culture?

Our investigation takes us first to Reddit, where we gather your thoughts and stories on women’s experiences at the table. To dig further into the topic, we sit down with our friend Laura Rodiguez who played in a campaign with us to hear her experiences. We then interview our new friend Lili who leads a stream called Roll for Dameage, and get her perspective as someone who is leading in different spheres. Finally, we process our findings and share our lessons learned with all of you!

Join us as we make an investigation check on women’s experiences playing D&D and how we can take steps to make the game a place for everyone

We’re on to our next Investigation Check! This time, we (Anthony and Josh) invite you to join us as we make an investigation on D&D as therapy.

Do some players use D&D as therapy? Are you getting therapeutic benefits from playing D&D without realizing it, or do you have to be intentional? Is there a risk that playing the game this way could be harmful? How can you tell when you’re using the game for mere entertainment rather than escapism?

Our investigation takes us back to Reddit, where we gather your thoughts on whether D&D can be therapeutic. To dig further into the topic, we sit down with our new friend John Arcadian to discuss his TEDx Talk on using D&D as ‘social practice’. We then investigate the apparent overlap between roleplay therapy and roleplay gaming in an interview with our expert, Ashley Porter, who alongside being an avid D&D player is studying to be a mental health professional. Finally, we process our findings and share our lessons learned with all of you.

Join us as we make an investigation check on the therapeutic potential of D&D and how to wield it responsibly!

Welcome to Investigation Check! We (Anthony and Josh) invite you to join us as we kick off Season One with an investigation on problem players.

Is the player problematic or just the way they're playing? Do they cause problems in every party, or would they fit better in a different one? Is each player responsible for making the game fun for themselves, or fun for everyone? Or is that the DM's job? If you don't think there's a problem, are you the problem player?

Our investigation takes us first to Reddit, where we gather your stories and identify some archetypes of problem players. To get a firsthand account we sit down with our friend Thomas, who we suspect is a problem player. We then consult an expert who helps DMs and players alike sort out the problem player woes at their own tables.

Join us as we make an investigation check on problem players and what can we do about them!

Investigation Check is a podcast about the culture and psychology of D&D featuring interviews with players, dungeon masters, moderators, professionals, and friends. Hosted by Anthony and Josh, Investigation Check will delve into ideas related to Dungeons & Dragons and seek to understand the many nuances of players' experiences. Join us as we make an Investigation Check within the world of D&D!