D & D Dungeon Master Testimony: Dungeons & Dragons, Wargaming, Violent Video Games

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax (1938-2008) and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. (TSR). The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997. It was derived from miniature wargames with a variation of the Chainmail game serving as the initial rule system. D&D's publication is widely regarded as the beginning of modern role-playing games and the role-playing game industry.

D&D departs from traditional wargaming and assigns each player a specific character to play instead of a military formation. These medieval characters embark upon imaginary adventures within a fantasy setting using mythical creatures. A Dungeon Master serves as the game's referee and storyteller, while also maintaining the setting in which the adventures occur and playing the role of the inhabitants. The characters form a party that interacts with the setting's inhabitants (and each other). Together they solve dilemmas, engage in battles and gather treasure and knowledge. In the process the characters earn experience points to become increasingly powerful over a series of sessions.

Below is an example of how the game is played.
DM: "35 hobgoblins of the "marrow suckers" tribe & 16 werewolves attack your encampment along the creek. They've got blood in their eyes & it looks like they want to rip your hearts out."
Player #1 (Assassin Level 5): "I'll pull out my poisoned dagger & try to slice open one of the hobgoblins."
Player #2 (Chaotic-Evil Cleric): "I'll say a prayer to Malcon, my patron god & see if he will help us.