The popularity of Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games like Pathfinder and Warhammer has been on a steady increase the last several years. The market for TTRPGs is expanding thanks to the rise of crowdfunding options for indie game designers and the rise of 3D printing as a way for those designers to create unique components for their games. But as was true of most industries and hobbies last year, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many fans of TTRPGs into the online realm. This boost to virtual tabletops like Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, and the online services that don't include an actual tabletop like DnD Beyond will likely continue into 2021 as many players have established their virtual campaigns.
It goes without saying that 2020 brought about unprecedented changes to the way many tabletop enthusiasts were able to play their games. Lockdowns prevented public spaces like libraries or game shops from hosting spaces for tabletop gaming, and quarantines kept campaign groups from being able to meet in person. Luckily for those players, services like DnD Beyond and Roll20 were available to facilitate online play for those eager to continue their campaigns or start new ones.
Much More Than A Dice Roller
Virtual tabletops can be impressive programs, incorporating virtual maps, integrated voice chat, dice-rollers, and text chats with the options to build macros in order to streamline many of the somewhat complicated formulas that go into making a specific attack roll. The success of Dungeons and Dragons' fifth edition after its release in 2014 was mirrored with the rise of virtual tabletops. By the end of 2017, Roll20's DnD player base for fifth edition had exploded to over 30,000 players, and now it sits at over one million. The relationship between Wizards of the Coast, the publishers for DnD, and Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds is also improving as more and more of the new content published by WotC makes its way more quickly to the VTTs like the upcoming Candlekeep Mysteries releasing day and date with its official release.
The tools in DnD Beyond extend into making play over video chat easier and specifically to fleshing out the options available in VTTs. Players can get official versions of modules released by companies like WotC that include new adventures, character classes, and magic items to be used. In years past, it could take a very long time for these books to make their way into the virtual space in an official capacity but as publishers adapt to the changing landscape that seems to be changing. For example the Dungeon Master's Guide is still unavailable on Roll20, and while there are certainly some functional reasons that's true many players are glad to see newer releases coming to their VTT of choice as quickly as possible.
The move to virtual play will likely continue to grow both as lockdowns and quarantines begin anew or continue and as many players establish groups that are already incapable of meeting in person. The virtual space has allowed for players from different time zones, cities, and even countries to form long-lasting campaigns that will likely endure through 2021. With the popularity of TTRPGs like Dungeons and Dragons steadily climbing partly due to popular actual-play shows like Critical Role and shows like Stranger Things players that seek to settle in for adventure will likely continue to grow the virtual tabletop community.
Candlekeep Mysteries releases March 16, 2021 in digital and physical formats.