Role-Playing Game Research Topics List

Role-Playing Game Research Topics Overview List

This page summarizes just a few of the thousands of research questions that RPG Research's founder, Hawke Robinson ("The Grandfather of Therapeutic Gaming"), and others at RPG Research ask about role-playing games.

The list is updated sporadically.

Over time links to more in depth discussions, information, research, papers, papers, panels, podcasts, interviews, reports, presentations, etc. are added under each topic.

For a more expansive list, see the RPG Research Knowledgebase Archives with more than 10,000 content items on these topics!

Also see the list of topics included in the RFC early public drafts of the RPG Handbook of Practice.

RPG Research Topics List

RPG basics for non-gamers

Most common myths about RPGs and RPGers

RPG formats

RPG format professional standardization of language, initialisms, and acronyms

Tabletop RPG formats (TRPG)

Live-action RPG formats (LRPG and larp)

Electronic RPG formats (ERPG)

Hybrid RPG formats (HRPG)

Pros and cons of each RPG format

RPG settings

RPG setting: non-professional recreational

RPG setting: non-professional entertainment

RPG setting: non-professional personal development

RPG setting: professional recreational

RPG setting: professional entertainment

RPG setting: professional development

RPG setting: professional personal development

RPG setting: professional educational

RPG setting: professional healthcare

RPG professional applications

RPG barriers to entry for new players and game masters

RPG accessibility

RPG CARBE Scale: Complexity, Accessibility,

RPG professional standards

RPG professional safety standards

RPG professional standards bodies

RPG professional training

RPG professional workshops

RPG professional certifications

RPG professional diplomas

RPG professional accredited programs

RPG professional Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

RPG small group formation, communication, and dynamics: forming, storming, norming, performing, reforming, and adjourning.

Variables for optimizing the RPG experience

Role-playing games and Bleed theory

Role-playing games and Flow theory

Role-playing games and Interaction patterns

Role-playing games and DIKW theory: Data Knowledge, Information, and Wisdom

Role-playing games, DIKW, and learning through exploration

Role-playing games and cognitive neuropsychology of learning

Role-playing games and neurotechnology

Brain-Computer Interface Role-Playing Game (BCI RPG)

Role-playing games and the Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM)

Role-playing game activity analysis

Role-playing game task analysis

Role-playing game observed immersion scale (RPG OIS)

Role-playing game OIS and correlation with electroencephalogram (EEG) brain-computer interface (BCI) data

Role-playing games and at-risk populations

Role-playing games and higher-risk populations

Role-playing games and incarcerated populations

Role-playing games and different generational cohorts

Role-playing games and very young children between ages 2 to 5 years old and developmental equivalents

Role-playing games and young children between ages 5 to 10 years old and developmental equivalents

Role-playing games and "tween" children between ages 10 to 13 years old and developmental equivalents.

Role-playing games and adolescent "teens" between ages 13 to 17 years old and developmental equivalents.

Role-playing games and young adults between ages 18 to 25 years old and developmental equivalents

Role-playing games and adults between ages 25 to 50 years old

Role-playing games mature adults between ages 50 to 65 years old

Role-playing games and senior adults ages 65 and older

Role-playing games and ADHD populations at different ages and developmental stages

Role-playing games and Autism Spectrum populations at different ages and developmental stages

Role-playing games and brain injury recovery programs

Role-playing games and physical disability populations accessibility, adaptation, and considerations.

Role-playing games and severe disability consideration for Locked-in Syndrime (LIS) and Complete Locked-in State (CLIS)

Role-playing gaming and intrinsic motivation

External and Internal Locus of Control

Genre assessment and motivations

Game system complexity preferences

Game setting preferences

Environmental stimuli and controls

Player styles

Player stereotypes

Player archectypes

Game Master styles

Game master stereotypes

Game Mater archetypes

Player Archetype Specialist (PAS) roles

Role-playing games and small group formation, communication, and dynamics

Tuckman theories on forming, storming, norming, performing, reforming, and adjourning, related to role-playing game groups

Paradoxes of individual versus group identity and belonging

Paradoxes of focusing on tasks versus social issues, "tech debt" versus "social debt" in Agile parlance.

APIE DR, Assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, documentation, and reiteration methodologies with role-playing game projects.

Basic Components of the RPG Research & Communities Feedback Loop

Controlled Simulated Social Groups

Roles and Human Distributed Network

The 4 RPGP Credential Types and RPG Research Volunteer Training

The 8 Top-level Domains of RPG Application

The 12 Primary Specialty Area Groups

The Trainee, Apprenticeship, Journeyman, Professional Mastery, Maven, Maestro, Executive, and Specialist tiers

Ideal Staffing of each RPG Table

Role-playing games and Recreational Therapy (RT) / Therapeutic Recreation (TR)

Role-Playing games and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

Role-playing games and cognitive neuropsychology

Role-playing games and the neurosciences

Monitoring player states, immersion, distraction, enjoyment, distress, group sync, neural synchronization, resilience, and other variables using electroencephalogram (EEG) based, and other, technologies during RPG sessions for more objective data collection compiled and analyzed with self-report and OIS reports.

Cooperative versus competitive variants

Group versus one-on-one, or solo variants

Wheelchair accessible mobile facilities to address under-served and unserved populations for RPG engagement (RPG mobile fleet).

Various challenges and observations of the research, creation, and evolution of the RPG Mobile fleet.

Virtual Tabletop Tools (VTT) for role-playing games, pros and cons

List of VTTs available for RPGs.

Aphantasia and role-playing gaming

Role-playing games and participants with brain injuries.

Using role-playing games to aid in the recovery process of patients with brain injuries, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, etc.

Role-playing games and cerebral palsy (CP) considerations and adapations

RPG and Muscular Dystrophy

Live-action role-playing game (LRPG and larp) adventure and boffer combat programs for muscular dystrophy youth participants in wheelchairs and with intubation, considerations and safety issues, as per MDA summer camp programs

RPG and American Sign Language groups

RPG and American Sign Language new signs for gaming

RPG with Deaf and Hard of Hearing populations, considerations and adaptations

RPG with developmentally delayed and developmentally impaired (DD / DI) populations

RPG with gifted and talented children

RPG programs with incarcerated youth

RPG programs with incarcerated low-risk of violence adults

RPG programs with incarcerated high-risk of violence adults

RPG for in-patient youth programs

RPG for in-patient adult programs

RPG programs with hospice care, palliative care, and dying patients

RPG and drug rehabilitation programs

RPG programs and transition plans from in-patient to out-patient

RPG programs and transition plans from incarcerated to parole/probation

RPGs and social skills development focused programs

RPG programs for populations with extreme social phobias

RPG programs for populations with extreme agoraphobia

RPG programs for visual impaired and blind populations, considerations and adaptations.

RPG and Anxiety related disorders

RPG and participants with aphasia

RPG and participants with panic disorders

Applied role-playing gaming from the education domain of knowledge

Applied role-playing gaming from various healthcare and therapeutic domains

Applied RPGing from the Therapeutic Recreation / Recreational Therapy domains

Applied RPG from various psychology domains

Applied RPG from various psychiatry domains

Applied RPG from various sociology domains

Applied RPG from various neuroscience domains

Applied RPG from various entertainment domains

Applied RPG from various professional development domains

Role-playing games and "alignment"

RPG and "behavior guidance rules", various observations, variations, and recommendations

RPG and anger management

RPG and frustration tolerance

RPG and resilience development

RPG and grit development

RPG and "appropriate behavior" management development

RPG and appropriate verbal interactions

RPG and communication skills

RPG and Cooperation with diverse people/cultures/backgrounds

RPG and rival gangs

RPG and lifelong enemies

RPG and delayed gratification

Role-playing games and effective / assertive (not aggressive) interaction methodologies

role-playing games and empathy

role-playing game players and empathy

RPG and ethics considerations

RPG and ethics personal development

RPG and in-game ethics and/or morality

RPG and religion(s)

RPG and exposure to other cultures, religions, histories, belief systems, etc.

Role-playing games and frustration recognition and management

Impact on hostility with cooperative RPG play

Impact on hostility with competitive RPG play

RPG and impulse control

RPG and language development

RPG and imaginary languages

RPG and linguistics

RPG and philology

RPG and etymology of terminology

Recommended RPG terminology for professional consistency

RPG and leadership considerations

RPG and leadership development

RPG and learning / following the rules but also “thinking outside of the box" when needed

RPGs and morality

RPG and multicultural mythologies

Adapting RPG programs to ... insert country/culture ... populations and regulations

Adapting RPG programs to Pakistan populations and regulations

Adapting RPG programs to evangelical Christian populations and limitations

Adapting RPG programs to Muslim population variations and limitations or regulations

Adapting RPG programs to various religious learning goals (Bible, Koran, Tao, etc.)

Adapting RPG programs to Hindi populations

Adapting RPG programs to West African tribal groups

Adapting RPG programs to South American populations

Adapting RPG programs to Japanse populations

Adapting RPG programs to Bangladeshi populations

Adapting RPG programs to Beijing, China, populations

Adapting RPG programs to Singapore populations

Adapting RPG programs to Hungarian populations

Adapting RPG programs to German populations

Adapting RPG programs India populations

Adapting RPG programs to Russian populations

Adapting RPG programs to Mongolian populations

Adapting RPG programs to Hawaiian populations

Adapting RPG programs to Romanian populations

Adapting RPG programs to Roma populations

Adapting RPG programs to Italian populations

Adapting RPG programs to Spanish Mexican populations

Adapting RPG programs to indigenous Central and South American populations

Adapting RPG programs to Portuguese populations

Adapting RPG programs to various polynesian populations

Adapting RPG programs to indiginous Australian populations

Adapting RPG programs to Canadian populations and regulations

Adapting RPG programs to Belgium populations and regulations

Adapting USA-based RPG programs online to other cultures, and countries' regulations

Adapting RPG programs to Taiwan populations

Adapting RPG programs for the International Space Station (ISS), and other near-earth orbit space programs.

Adapting RPG programs to Luna Base and similar earth orbit long-term space programs

Adapting RPG programs to interstellar travel space programs, long-distance travel to Mars program, etc.

Adapting RPG programs to the Mars program

role-playing games and cooperative problem solving

RPG and delayed gratification

RPG and creativity measures

RPG and creative influences

RPG and creative inspiration

RPG and ancilliary interests and skills development

RPG and inspiring development in artwork (drawing, painting lead figures, etc.)

RPG and improvisation requirements

RPG and improvisation skills development

RPG used with professional development groups at business locations

RPG used with professional development groups at specialized RPG retreats to build team cohesion and efficacy

RPG programs used for executive staff development

RPG and sound effects

RPG and visual effects

RPG and flat screens, projectors, tablets, laptops, computers, phones, etc.

RPG and technologies pros and cons

RPG and ambient or mood music

RPG inspiration of music interest, skills, and/or creation

RPG and poetry

RPGs and Reading/writing (creative)

RPGs and organizational skills development

RPG organizational recommendations

RPG and Theatrics/acting

RPG and voice / voicing

RPG voicing workshops

RPG cliches

RPG player traits studies

RPG tropes

RPGs and criminality

RPGs and homicide

RPGs and violent behavior from players

RPGs and suicide

RPGs and anti-social behavior

RPGs and paganism

RPGs and in-game violence

RPGs and misogyny

RPGs and racism

RPGs and sex

RPGs and romance

RPGs and camaraderie

RPGs and creating new relationships and friends

RPGs and significant others, spouses, etc.

RPGs and factions

RPGs and community settings

RPGs and community centers

RPGs and participant personalities

RPGs and non-profits

RPGs and for-profits

RPGs and wages

RPGs and paid professionals

RPGs and writers

RPGs and designers

RPGs and costs

RPGs and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Function (ICF) or Disability (ICD)

RPGs and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)

RPGs and Anxiety disorders

RPGs and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

RPGs and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

RPGs and participants with amputations and/or prostheses

RPGs and Trauma

RPGs and the military

RPGs and trauma from military, first responder, or other related service

RPGs and participants that have experienced trauma from abuse, rape, sexual abuse, etc.

RPGs and specific phoboias

RPGs and consent

RPGs and consent forms

RPGs and electronic consent management tools like gameconsent.com

RPGs and Apraxia

Tabletop RPG (TRPG) as a Modality for Therapeutic / Educational Intervention for ASD Youth and Adults to Develop Civic Resources Knowledge & Skills

Using Live-Action Role-Playing Adapted Activities for ASD Toddlers

A Recreation Therapy-related Program Plan Using Role-playing Gaming to Prepare

RPGs and Back Disorders and Back Pain

Brain Injury Recovery Using RPGs

RPGs for Brain Injury - Applicable Therapeutic Recreation Interventions

TBI Intervention 1 - Tabletop RPG Modification - Choose Your Own Adventure for Severe TBI-related impairments

RPG for TBI - CYOA - Example CYOA Process

RPG for TBI - CYOA - Needs addressed by intervention

CYOA for TBI - Common Settings

RPG for TBI - CYOA - Equipment Needed

RPG for TBI - CYOA - Program Adaptations

RPG for TBI - Similar Examples of Intervention

RPG for TBI - Similar Examples - Home Front Interactive Video

RPG for TBI - Similar Examples - Home Front Interactive Video Location

RPG for TBI - Similar Examples - Home Front Interactive Video Description of clients served

RPG for TBI - Similar Examples - Home Front Interactive Video Qualifications of program facilitator

Intervention 2 - Computer-based electronic RPG (ERPG) Use and Modifications for Client With TBI

RPG for TBI - Intervention 2 - Needs addressed by intervention

Example ERPG Process for participants with brain injuries

RPGs and participants with burns

RPGs and participants with cancer

RPGs and participants with cardiac conditions

RPGs and participants with COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

RPGs and participants wtih Alzheimer's Disease

RPGs and participants with other dementia

RPGs and participants with Diabetes Mellitus

RPGs and participants with Eating Disorders

RPGs and participants with Fibromyalgia

RPGs and participants with Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Role-playing games and participants with Joint Replacement

RPG and participants with Mood Disorders: Bi-polar, Depression (Major Depression, Dysthymic, Reccurent, Suicidal Ideations, etc.)

RPGs and participants with Dysthymia

RPGs and participants iwth suicidal ideations

RPG and Multiple Schlerosis

RPG and Obesity

RPG and Osteoporosis

RPG and Parkinson's Disease

RPG and Personality Disorders

RPGs and Psychotic Disorders (Schizophrenia and others)

RPGs and Rheumatoid Arthritis

RPGs and Sexual & Gender-Identity Disorders

RPGs and LGBTQ+ topics

RPGs and SCI - Spinal Cord Injury

RPGs and Sickle Cell Anemia

RPGs and sleep disorders

RPGs and Somatoform & Dissociative Disorders

Role-playing games (RPGs) and Substance-Related Disorders

RPGs and gangs

RPGs and various body functions as per ICF/ICD, DSM, and similar resources

Intellectual (tags)

Architecture

Astronomy

Cartography

Causality

Demographics

Ecology

Economics

Geography

Geology

Government systems

History

Language(s) (primary, secondary)

Mathematics

Memory

Metallurgy

Meteorology

Physics

Politics

Problem solving (e.g. puzzles, riddles, mazes, etc.)

Reading/writing (technical)

Researching

Short and long term planning

Statistics

Technologies past and present

Warfare tactics and strategies

Intellectual (keywords)