New generation taking on tabletop games as parents seek to reduce screen time and improve lateral thinking

It cannot be kicked down and the lock cannot be picked, but light can be seen through the crack. Each character attempts to find a way through.

The door is a puzzle – an imaginary prop – and only one person holds the answer: the Dungeon Master.

In this case, it was Chris Van Riel playing in the role. He determined the solutions to the riddles on a quest, undertaken by a group of newcomers to roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons.

Chris ran a beginners’ class for families at games store Guf on Tuesday, taking them through choosing their character, their characters’ attributes, the mechanics of the game and a short mission.

It was the first family night held at the store, and the table filled up, joining rows of online gamers on the computers, and regulars participating in their own tabletop games nearby.

Like other turn-based games, Dungeons and Dragons is going through another of its near-perpetual revivals – and Launceston is no different.

The store sold out of its D&D kits in the lead-up to Christmas, and was accidentally sent another complete order. That, too, sold out quickly.

At over $200, they do not come cheap. And given its reliance on basic arithmetic, a list of the rules and players’ imaginations, the game can be played without forking out any money.

Guf Launceston owner Nick Alcorso said it was an indication of how the younger generations were finding the same joy in tabletop games as their parents did 30 years ago.

“The number we sell here doesn’t match the number of people who are playing these games out there, but the increase in sales is an indication of how popular they’re becoming,” he said.

“A lot are games that were really popular in the 80s and 90s, but then dropped away after that.

“Then people who grew up in the 80s and 90s came back into it. They’re in their 40s now, they have their own families, and they’re keen to make sure their kids aren’t only having screen time.

“Dungeons and Dragons is offline, it relies on your imagination. Most of the games in this genre are similar.”

D&D involves each player having their own character, which has attributes that are used in the game. The party chooses their goal and the Dungeon Master decides what obstacles are in their path. The various dice are used to determine the outcome of risky actions.

On Tuesday this week, it was mainly younger children and parents taking part in the introduction session.

But on other nights, experienced players come along to test their skills at other games. 

Card-based games like Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon are as popular as ever.

There is rarely a shortage of players.

Other groups have also formed in Launceston, such as Dragon League, which boasts up to 200 members.

The games that are becoming more popular are those that are focused on tactics, rather than luck of the role.

These are more likely to originate in Europe, while American games like Monopoly are almost entirely determined through luck.

Games like D&D also rely on the online world to grow their reach, with sessions held on YouTube and streaming sites. 

Famous actors like Vin Diesel and Terry Crews are among those to play along live online, participating in sessions with fans.

Locally, community organisations like Life Without Barriers and Autism Tasmania utilise gaming as a way of developing social skills and discovering a child’s strengths.

Mr Alcorso said tabletop gaming had become one of the most popular activities at the store.

“The hobby has been increasing consistently over the last two years. It’s getting to a point where it’s a significant portion of what we do,” he said.

“It appeals to different people for different reasons.”

The demographics of gaming had also changed in the six years that the store had operated.

“The thing I’ve noticed the most in the last few years is how much more popular these games are becoming with girls,” Mr Alcorso said.

“Twenty years ago, it was predominantly guys who were playing, but it’s not that way at all anymore.”

A weekly women’s gaming night is testament to this.

About half a dozen women attend to play games in a more comfortable environment.

Among them is Vikky Harris-Newsham, who usually brings her daughter Scarlett from Karoola.

She said it was a fun and social activity they could enjoy together.

“I had been wanting to do Dungeons and Dragons to help build some new skills for my child who is home schooled,” Ms Harris-Newsham said.

“It has maths, literature, it’s all in there.

“I have friends in Campbell Town who play D&D, I thought it would be good to incorporate it into my child’s learning.

“If you come to ladies’ night you meet people, and you also see the other games.”