LYDIA TURCIOS
Special to The Leader
It’s 2020, so chances are you’re familiar with role-playing games, more commonly known as RPGs.
Why is this relevant? Fredonia’s English department is offering ENGL 299: Writing For RPGs in the spring of 2021.
Professor Shawn Merwin, a Fredonia faculty member returning after 20 years and an active member of the RPG community, will be teaching the course.
Merwin has written content for the game company, Wizards of the Coast, and has authored and co-authored five tabletop game editions.
The department tapped him after they noticed a growing interest in the topic.
Many people might recognize this genre through Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop games. Tabletop requires the most role-playing, as you must speak and act out your character.
Video games immerse you differently by providing visuals and sounds. If you don’t play this genre, you likely know someone who does.
So, if you are not familiar with this genre and want to know if this is up your alley, here’s a crash course.
Role-playing games are self-explanatory. This genre includes any game, digital or tabletop, where the player assumes the role of characters in a fictional setting.
Within these broad terms, any genre is fair game. Fantasy, sci-fi, horror or whatever else tickles your fancy.
These games tend to need an in-depth and highly interactive plot, along with engaging dialogue and world-building.
If any of these factors sound interesting, or if you are a creative mind looking to enrich yourself and polish your skills, this class is for you.
Regarding course content itself, Merwin said, “The class will help students learn about writing opportunities in the RPG arena about different types of role-playing games, as well as the ins and outs of good writing.”
Merwin feels that in our current social climate, role-playing games are a vital activity for both socialization and education.
He intends on creating a positive experience for students in his course during this time of isolation. Additionally, he has seen a dramatic increase in opportunities for creators in this field as popularity and sales increase.
The class will involve group storytelling, solving problems, teamwork and understanding conflict as well as RPG writing as an art form.
The class is in a fully online format and will meet from 9:40 a.m.to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. At present, it is a pilot class that will continue based on student interest and success of the Spring 2021 semester.