Delve into the origins of role-playing games with Playing at the World, 2E, Volume 1: The Invention of Dungeons & Dragons. This updated edition of Jon Peterson’s acclaimed 2012 book explores the vast and complex history of role-playing games, focusing on the seminal creation of Dungeons & Dragons. Discover how the wargaming clubs and fanzines of the 1970s Midwest led to the revolutionary game designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. This volume augments the original research with new insights into the crucial period of 1972-73, drawing from primary sources that span from eighteenth-century strategists to modern hobbyists. Experience the fascinating journey of how conflict simulations evolved into a cultural phenomenon.