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Playing at the World, 2E—Volume 1: The Invention of Dungeons & Dragons

Hey fellow adventure loving stoners! We’ve just emerged from a cloud of smoke in the basement, rolling our d20s and getting lost in the pages of Jon Peterson’s “Playing at the World, 2E: The Invention of Dungeons & Dragons“. As die-hard D&D fans who love a good session of blazing and role-playing, this book is like finding a +5 artifact in a pile of common loot.

Unearthing the Origins of D&D

So, this book is the first volume of an updated edition of Peterson’s original 2012 work, and it’s all about the birth of our beloved D&D. Peterson dives deep into the 1970s, when wargaming clubs and fanzines in the upper Midwest were cooking up something magical. This is where Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson come into the picture, crafting the game that would redefine our weekends forever.

Peterson doesn’t just skim the surface; he digs through primary sources, from old letters to obscure fanzines, and paints a vivid picture of the era. It’s like he’s our dungeon master, guiding us through the history with the precision of a veteran player who knows every rule and secret of the game.

A Treasure Trove for the Geek Squad

“Playing at the World” isn’t just for history buffs; it’s for anyone who’s ever picked up a d20 or argued about the best edition of D&D. Peterson’s research is so detailed, it feels like you’re reading an epic campaign. He connects the dots from 18th-century strategy games to modern role-playing, showing us how D&D evolved from niche hobby to cultural juggernaut.

The insights into the critical period of 1972-73 are particularly mind-blowing. It’s like unlocking a hidden lore book in your favorite RPG – suddenly, everything makes sense. We’ve spent countless hours in basements, and it’s wild to think that’s where this phenomenon started too.

High Praise from the Realms of Geekdom

Don’t just take our word for it – some heavy hitters in the gaming world are singing Peterson’s praises too. D.B. Weiss, co-creator of Game of Thrones, called it “fascinating reading” for anyone interested in cultural phenomena. Peter Adkison, the brain behind Wizards of the Coast, admits he learned tons from this book, and Matthew Kirschenbaum hails it as an “immersive and authoritative” history of D&D.

Final Thoughts

For us, “Playing at the World, 2E” is more than just a book – it’s a portal into the origins of the game we love filled with amazing images that you can sit and stare at for days—especially when you’re halla stoned.

Whether you’re an academic, a hardcore gamer, or just a stoner looking for an epic read, this book is a critical hit. So grab your dice, light up, and dive into the pages of Jon Peterson’s masterpiece. Your next campaign will thank you.