Games are great ways to both pass the time and indulge in a little fantasy. Not unlike Monopoly, Clue, and other games which allow the participant to play a bit of pretend, dragon games are the tools by which great adventures are made. Video games provide that same opportunity for today’s gamers and one dragon-related electronic adventure was the forerunner of many of our most popular video games. Dragon’s Lair, which premiered in 1983, was the first full-animation laser disc video game to hit the arcades. Players were able to participate in the adventures of Singe the Dragon, the dashing Dirk the Daring and beautiful Princess Daphne. Through the late 80s and 90s, PC and game system versions were produced. A new 3D version of Dragon’s Lair was introduced in 2002, boasting many new improvements. The game still maintains a loyal following. In the realm of computer games, dragons also attract the interest of the younger set. The Quest for Camelot Dragon Games, based on the popular children’s movie, is a favorite of small children. Players can write dragon tales, hatch dragon eggs, create mythical creatures, and otherwise interact with the movie’s lovable beings. Through the last two decades, board games have also reflected public interest in dragons. Though some are no longer in print, games like Drakon, Talisman, Dragon’s Gold, and Emerald were favorites among fans of the winged serpent. But the grandfather of all dragon games is undisputedly Dungeons and Dragons. The sometimes controversial role-playing game came onto the scene three decades ago and its popularity remains immense. The creators of the game promised to give players the opportunity to “lead daring heroes through the treacherous dungeons of [their] imagination.” D&D quickly became an almost cult-like phenomenon in the 1980s, played at private parties, in college dorms, and at weekly gatherings of fantasy game fans. Dungeons and Dragons is so unlike any game ever conceived. There is no board. Just some form of map and the imaginations of the players is all that is necessary. Players create their own characters and the appointed Dungeon Master controls all the non-player characters. The rules are many and complex, warranting a thick Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s guide, both of which have been revised and added to many times since the introduction of the game. Why has Dungeons and Dragons remained such a favorite among dragon games? Theories usually point to the fact that the role-playing gives even the most awkward and introverted player the opportunity to be a great wizard, powerful fighter, or evil fear-provoking beast. Most maintain that it’s just plain fun. Fans of D&D now eagerly await the start of Dungeons and Dragons Online. Due to be up and running by the second half of 2005, the multi-player online game will allow thousands to participate in D&D together. |
