Project Silver

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D&D 5th Edition and other TTRPG's provide players with rules through which they can interact with the story and the world that the Game Master guides them through. This is not dissimilar to scientific exploration; one must understand the rules of our universe to then be able to utilize that knowledge and make new discoveries. TTRPG's are also typically played by groups of players whose characters have different skills and abilities working together to overcome challenges set by the Game Master; similar again to teams of researchers each with difference specialties contributing to a project. The structure of TTRPG's is already focused on collaborative problem solving and learning, namely through the medium of a shared artistic experiences where players are encouraged to weave fun interesting narratives for themselves and their coplayers. The task then is the designing of a new TTRPG with mechanics and stories that allow players to learn the real scientific principles behind the effects in the narrative.

Character creation would involve choosing from a series of classes akin to Physicist, Chemist, Biologist, etc followed by a subclass selection that would allow players to focus their character's area of expertise. For example a Physicist character could focus on Mechanics, Optics, Astrophyics, etc and have different in-game abilities based on those disciplines. Players would need to understand the skills and subject areas the character they have built excels in to contribute to their team's efforts in game; for example an Optics Physicist character may excel at techniques using light based abilities but would need to rely on their teammates for solutions that require acid or electricity.

An essential part of TTRPG character creation is also writing your character's backstory; who they are, their goals, and why they have studied their discipline of choice. Creating your character and then playing them would directly tie together scientific learning/understanding alongside writing and acting. The Game Master would then lead the players and their characters through a shared narrative where they use their character's skills to overcome challenges and solve problems, ideally modeled on real life challenges and locations.

TTRPG's already come in a variety of themes in addition to the well known fantasy setting of Dungeons and Dragons, as players seek to have the TTRPG experience in multiple genres and weave ever more interesting and diverse types of stories. The success of science inspired games such as Starfinder and the Star Wars TTRPG shows a desire in players to explore science themed settings and stories, showing potential success for a realistic science themed game. The experience of gameplay will allow for artistic expression and act as a vehicle for scientific learning, and the stories weaved by the players will serve as a memorable way to recall the scientific principles involved in their shared journey.

Aspects of the game would be based on data and discoveries from space agencies and other sources, allowing players to utilize scientific principles and distant locations as accurately as possible.

Thanks to my wife for first telling me about this challenge and for always encouraging me to explore my own creativity.

Dungeons and Dragons is property of Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro.

#art #science #dungeonsanddragons #d&d #ttrpg #game #writing