News Collection

Ivan Van Norman Says Kind Things about RPG Research & RPG Therapeutics on Wizards DragonTalk!
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Dec 07, 2017 12:17 PMNovember 13th, 2017 Ivan Van Norman was on Wizards of the Coast's D&D Dragon Talk with Greg Tito and Shelly Mazzanoble for their Twitch.tv Channel!

Scheduled to be on Wizards of the Coast's "Dragon Talk" show January 22nd, 2018!
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Feb 04, 2018 04:56 PMGreat news! We are now scheduled to be on the Wizards of the Coast Twitch show, Dragon Talk with Greg Tito, this coming January 22nd, 2018!

Back to Finishing TR Textbook Chapter on RPGs
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Dec 07, 2017 10:25 AMNow that finals over, resuming trying to finish the 30 page textbook chapter on using RPGs for Therapeutic Recreation...
How would you like RpgEducation.Com Access Included with Higher Level Patronage on Patreon.com?
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Dec 02, 2017 01:34 PM
Cognition - Using RPGs to Enhance the Learning Process, from the Cognitive Neuropsychology Perspective
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Jun 13, 2018 05:11 PMThis could be applied to all RPG Formats in various ways, with different strengths and weaknesses presenting in each format: Tabletop, Live-Action (LARP), computer-based, or solo adventure books/modules. Ideally a mix of all 4 formats would likely have the most powerful effects. This is from a recent assignment for a cognitive neuroscience class. I only had about an hour or two to whip this up, so this is just a simple, quick essay for a class assignment. It isn't very well put together, because the assignments are only worth about 1-10 points out of 1,000, while the tests add up to 800 points of the total grade, so please forgive the lack of formality and poor quality. Hopefully you will still find the information listed useful. I hope in the future to write a much better, more formal version, but with my existing backlog, who knows when that will be, so I am posting this here as a placeholder reminder for me to hopefully work on it in the future. Even in this rough format, it may still be useful for some interesting topical discussions.
Initial Review of The Gamers: The Shadow Menace
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Nov 16, 2017 09:11 AMThis is an initial review, with just my first impressions upon the first viewing of the brand new offering in the original The Gamers Series: The Shadow Menace. I attempt to avoid any overt spoilers by keeping this review more abstract rather than specific.

Thoughts on Cthulhu Halloween 2017
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Nov 13, 2017 07:29 AMMy regular Tuesday Worlds of Beru group asked that I run a special Cthulhu session for this year, since Halloween fell on Tuesday. You can view the video on our Youtube channel, and here is a brief summary of my thoughts about the session (I haven't had a chance to watch it)...

Spokane Drum Circle Facilitation Workshop - November 4th, 2017. 1-3 pm, Spokane, WA.
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Nov 05, 2017 08:57 PMWorkshop: "An Introduction to Drum Circle Facilitation" at the Indie Air Radio concert hall in Spokane, Washington, Saturday, November 4th, 2017. Space is limited to 35 people, so book you seat right away. Proceeds go toward building the Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer fundraising campaign. We also use drum circles as part of the RPG / LARP experience, to summon for gathering, to build cooperative attitudes, paying attention and following directions, excite or relax participants depending on the goals of the adventure. We have more than enough drums for you, or you are welcome to BYOD (Bring Your Own Drum) if you wish. See you there!

New RPG Research Trifold Brochures, Just in Time for Fan Nexus Convention!
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Oct 04, 2017 08:00 PMJust in time for this week's Fan Nexus convention at downtown Spokane Convention center, we have printed significantly updated and improved trifold brochures about RPG Research.

RPG Research Now Officially Incorporated as a Non-Profit
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Oct 04, 2017 06:51 PMAfter 13+ years operating as a non-entity group of volunteers. Today we received our certificate of incorporation of RPG Research as a Washington State Non-profit.

What Tools Do You Use for Your Campaigns?
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Jun 13, 2018 05:11 PMAs asked in Geek Therapy Community on Facebook by Pâris Conte, "To those here that write campaigns, build campaign settings, etc... What system do you use to store and organise your notes? A hand written journal? Specific software? Why did you chose what you use?". Such a lengthy response would be a terrible wall of text on FB, so I'm answering it here where both longevity and formatting are MUCH better...

Social Workers’ Perceptions of the Association Between Role Playing Games and Psychopathology
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Oct 04, 2017 05:08 AMWhereas role-playing and table-top role-play games (RPGs) have been proven to have potential as therapeutic tools, playing RPGs is often stereotypically associated with social incompetence and psychiatric disorders.

RPG Research and RPG Trailer at 2017 Fan Nexus Spokane
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Oct 06, 2017 12:52 PMNow is your chance to check out, up close, the Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer, be introduced to role-playing games, learn about the power of all RPG formats, learn how RPGs can be used in professional educational and therapeutic settings to help participants achieve their goals, and much more. Come check us out in the vendor section of the downtown Spokane Convention Center, October 6-8, 2017!

Current RPG Research Queue, Fall 2017
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Sep 15, 2017 11:46 AMHere is a quick listing of some of the research currently in the queue for RPG Research, as of September 15th, 2017...

RPG Research Mentioned at PAX South 2016
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Sep 10, 2017 12:32 PMThe Wheelhouse Workshop founders Adam Johns and Adam Davis were discussing RPG's and therapy, and mentioned the RPG Research Project website as a useful resource...
Optimizing the RPG Experience for Building Camaraderie As Quickly and Strongly as possible
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Jun 13, 2018 05:12 PMDrawing on Therapeutic Recreation theories, methodologies, and protocols, there are a number of "ice breaking" techniques when forming new groups, to help improve building camaraderie. Also taking into account Tuckman's theories on group formation (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing (Adjourning/Mourning)). This article combines all those concepts with using role-playing games to achieve these goals, and techniques for optimizing the RPG experience to improve this process, as well as some examples of games that build some aspects into their systems. This is a work in progress.

The RPG Brain Trust 2017 Trustee - Hawke Robinson of RPG Research Project and The RPG Trailer
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Oct 25, 2017 07:24 PMA kindness from The RPG Brain Trust, "2017 Trustee".

2017 Testimonial about RPG Research from the Muscular Dystrophy Association
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Jun 13, 2018 05:12 PM"... I was a counselor at the MDA 2017 Summer Camp ... All I can say is that you guys are AWESOME. My shy camper completely opened up for the first time ... had the best time. ... was his favorite activity from the camp! ... Thank you for everything that you guys do. I'm forever grateful to you! " --Emily

Does RPG reading complexity impact participant development of intrinsic reading motivation, speed of development, and total reading advancement?
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Aug 22, 2017 04:45 PMRPGs are well known to spark interest in reading, and may promote overall reading advancement. That being said, how much does the reading comprehension required for RPGs impact this overall advancement? Using "Adult" RPG Systems with youth, rather than "bringing down" a system to "their level". This is one anecdotal example that I can share, since it is my own kids, but I have seen repeated many times in practice with others, over the years. But have not (yet) run a controlled study to validate or negate these observations. Your thoughts and experiences?

RPG Research on SpoCon Panel, Psychology of Gamers and Hackers from the Information Security Perspective
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Jun 13, 2018 05:13 PMHere is the audio recording from the SpoCon 2017 panel on "Psychology of Gamers and Hackers". Panelists included: Dr. Mark Rounds and Hawke Robinson.
![RPG Research on SpoCon Panel, Role-Playing [Gaming] as Therapy RPG Research on SpoCon Panel, Role-Playing [Gaming] as Therapy](https://www2.rpgresearch.com/blog/spocon-role-play-as-therapy/@@images/12aa9a1e-8cf6-47ae-a879-f07c308447d7.png)
RPG Research on SpoCon Panel, Role-Playing [Gaming] as Therapy
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Aug 15, 2017 05:15 PMHere is the audio recording from the SpoCon 2017 panel on "Role-Playing [Gaming] as Therapy". Panelists included: Gail Glass (Recreation Therapist), John Welker, and Hawke Robinson.

RPG Research on SpoCon Panel, Cultivating Long Term Role-Playing Gaming Groups
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Aug 15, 2017 05:26 PMHere is the audio recording from the SpoCon 2017 panel on "Cultivating Long Term Role-Playing Gaming Groups". Panelist included: Chris Bruscas, John Welker, and Hawke Robinson.
Spocon
— by Danielle Whitworth — last modified Aug 12, 2017 08:05 PMHaving a great time in the RPGtrailer at Spocon!! Come visit us tomorrow from 8am-noon.

RPG Research at Spocon 2017 Panels with John Welker and Hawke Robinson
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Aug 08, 2017 12:50 PMJohn Welker and Hawke Robinson will be participating in a number of panels at this year's 2017 SpoCon in Spokane, Washington, August 11-13. If you are interested, here is the schedule...

Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer at SpoCon 2017 Public Tour
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Aug 06, 2017 12:43 AMThe Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer will be at this year's Science Fiction & Fantasy convention in Spokane, Washington, SpoCon 2017, all three days, August 11-13. The public is welcome to tour the trailer, and potentially see it in action. here is the tour schedule...

Game Schedule in RPG Trailer at SpoCon 2017 - August 11-13
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Aug 08, 2017 11:51 PMHere is the game schedule for the Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer at this year's SpoCon in downtown Spokane August 11th through 13th...

The RPG Research Project's Public Meeting and Broadcast, August 5th, 2017
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Aug 05, 2017 01:01 AMThe RPG Research Project meets, and broadcast publicly, regarding current events, research, discoveries, etc. pertinent to The RPG Research Project. People from all related efforts around the world are invited to join in sharing their updates as well. This tends to be more high level than our podcast/vidcasts, mostly providing a brief overview for people. Meetings range anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on other participants contributions. Sometimes it is just a quick summary status update of the past month, and the upcoming month. Everyone is welcome to join in the conversation!

Public Drop in and RPG - 2nd & 4th Friday each Month 4-7 pm by RPG Research at Spark Central
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Aug 10, 2018 01:01 PMNow on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. Role-playing games Drop in and Play since August 18th, 2017, thanks to non-profits RPG Research and the Spark Central community center, volunteers are providing role-playing gaming sessions at The Spark Central in Spokane, Washington, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm (Pacific Time), open to the public. Spark Central location and contact information: 1214 W Summit Pkwy, Spokane, WA, 99201509.279.0299info@spark-central.org

MDA Camp 2017 - "Battle Royale: The Summoning"
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Jul 26, 2017 01:16 PM"The Summoning". Using drums, and forming a drum circle, with drum circle facilitation techniques. At the July 18th, 2017, Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp, at Twinlow Retreat near Rathdrum Idaho. We introduced participants to drumming, shield decorating, boffer LARP, and parallel tabletop RPG.

Setting Up for LARP, RPG, & Drumming at MDA Camp
— by Hawke Robinson — last modified Jul 21, 2017 05:34 PMHere is a photo and short video clip of the Wheelchair Friendly RPG Trailer being setup at this year's Muscular Dystrophy Association's (MDA) summer camp in Idaho. RPG Research volunteers, using the RPG Trailer, preparing to provide adaptive drum circles, tabletop role-playing (RPG), and live-action role-playing (LARP) to children ages 6-17 with Muscular Dystrophy (MD), July 18th and 20th.
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