Distance makes Greeley ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ players get creative

Greeley players gather to play some of their favorite tabletop games online. Photo courtesy of James Redmond.

By Gabe LLanas for the NoCo Optimist

Most of us are familiar with Dungeons and Dragons.  A couple years ago, the mention of the game may have reminded you of the game your metal head cousin played in his basement. But today, it’s more than that.  

Dungeons and Dragons has been around for more than four decades. And the game is gaining ground again thanks to increasing popularity  in the pop culture and podcast space. 

According to a report by CNBC, “in each of the last five years, sales of Dungeons and Dragons merchandise has grown by double digits.”

It’s known as a tabletop game. Many players love it because, in a world saturated with screen time, it offers a reprieve. Friends bring snacks to each other’s homes and get to interact face-to-face.  

But how do you play that kind of game in isolation?

Stay-at-home orders and COVID-19 may have changed the game, but players are still finding ways to attempt daring adventures and connect with their friends.

Growing up, Anna McCloud wasn’t allowed to play Dungeons and Dragons. But after watching a show Critical Roll on Twitch, a streaming platform for gaming, she really wanted to try it out.

McCloud, of Greeley, played her first game just weeks ago in traditional fashion – in person and around a table.

But the next game went online.

“We played our first session right before the lockdown,” McCloud said. The game lasted about five hours. “For our second session, we played through Facebook Messenger.”

Some players use systems such as Role 20 and Fantasy Grounds, which serve as virtual tabletops. Players can role virtual dice, and the system simulates the table where players would usually sit. Video chat programs can help shrink the distance, too.

Dungeons and Dragons helps people to connect with their friends through social distancing. Photo by Joshua Polson.

“Our Dungeon Master is great, McCloud said. “He will have background music and sound effects, which I  miss.  But I am able to go to the bathroom whenever I want, and I can always leave the door open so I don’t miss anything,” McCloud said with a laugh.

So, playing at home isn’t all bad.

There can be technical difficulties though.  It can be hard to hear people, or cameras can freeze.  The main drawback, McCloud said, is not being around the energy her fellow players have.

“You don’t get to be there when your friend rolls a natural 20 (basically a dice roll that means you succeeded far beyond what you could have expected) so you can be like, yay that is so awesome!  Or when they roll that natural one and you get to say, ‘Ha you suck!’ When you aren’t in the same room with each other you miss some things.”

In some ways, McCloud said she had to pay more attention to the game with this new way of playing. Because of the technical limitations, she felt she had to stay more focused on the game, so she didn’t lose the nuance of it. But at the end of the day, she had a good time.

“Honestly, I really liked it.  I like being in the comfort of my own home, while also playing with my friends.”

Once the “safer-at-home” order is lifted, McCloud  plans on getting back together with her friends to play again. But this experience gave them another tool  they can use to keep playing the game, even if something comes up.

“Now that we have done this, we know that is someone is sick, or traveling we will still be able to play,” McCloud said. “We can always just jump online and play our game!”