Inside the 40 Year-Long Dungeons & Dragons Game | Obsessed | WIRED

Remember that game of Dungeons & Dragons you started when you were 11? What if it never stopped? Robert Wardhaugh has been the Dungeon Master for a D&D campaign that's been going on for over 40 years. In his game, once you start playing...you keep playing.



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[MoonCrab]

Bro I tried not to tear up when he said "So, as long as I keep doing it, hopefully all my life, I won't lose my friends". That's why he's so passionate. He gets to build a world so everyone has a place to stick together.

[genxcrypto]

I'm a lifelong friend of Robert's and been playing the game for over 25yrs. His commitment and passion is un matched.

[morsarcanus]

I really hope this guy recorded or transcribed at least a fraction of his campaigns. 40 years of DnD is bound to have some crazy moments that belong in a history book or even a novel!

[a_jae_doe]

"if you break up with him, I can't break up with him" this game needs to be a sitcom

[chillin]

Honestly, lots of respect to this guy. He's managed to raise a family, have a successful career, and maintain a major hobby simultaneously. That's major balancing, and it's admirable.

[dae]

he 100% became a history professor because he wanted to learn stuff for his campaign

[darthtaiter]

I met the boy who would become the man who was the great love of my life when we were 14 and 15, this was in 1984. Within a month of meeting we began a game that lasted until 6 weeks ago when my husband suddenly died. the first day we began playing was a real trust fall when we immediately threw the dice away and he said. "So what does she do?" and we were off and running, our imaginations taking flight. In 42 years we played a nearly linear campaign that saw the rise and fall of gods and empires and even the universe itself. We created great dynastic families that we played with for generation after generation. 6 weeks ago half this marvelous universe fell into darkness and a hundred stories came to a startling end, it's funny how some days I weep as much for all the wonderful characters he played as well as for the very wonderful creative man himself. I wish Robert a very long and happy life and I am so very happy to know of someone else who has held so tightly to the marvelous world of his and others imaginations. Good journeying to you all.

[eyesore]

It's inspiring how someone could be so obbssessed, passionate, & dedicated to something and still maintain a job and family.

[hulkslayer]

A history professor, who has crafted a 40+ year D&D game, that has kept friendships alive, and has also brought him closer with his young daughter. If being happy means doing what you love, this may be the luckiest man alive. He has certainly earned it though lol

[djnr]

A history professor running a dnd campaign, bet the story is insane

[mr.ligertiger]

As someone who writes, I absolutely understand weeping at the loss of a character. They’re like an old friend. You know everything about them, you’ve helped them fall in love, start families.

[Big_Mike]

In this world where everyone has both a full-time job and at least two side-hustles, getting four people and a Dungeon Master in the same room at the same time is a feat that makes cat-herding look like an act of the utmost simplicity. This guy has been not only running his game for multiple decades, by his own admission people fly in for the privilege of playing in it! The dude's gotta be doing something right!

[extinctriven]

"This relationship might not last forever, but the game will".
Love is strong, but passion for dnd is stronger.

[ilmarinen]

He should hire a scribe to prepare a recorded history and events of the game. And make it a series of novels and documentaries.

[BricklyDragon]

Honestly, Dungeon And Dragons players are one of the most creative people there is. They're letting their imagination build a whole new world. I recently got into D&D and it truly is fun to escape the world and go into your own.

[abdelmouladhia]

He does what he loves, meets a lot of new nice people, and most importantly didn't lose his old friends. Bro is winning at life ❤

[cheeseburger]

I just want a 5 hour long video explaining the whole time line of this game with all the character events, deaths, additions, and story arks now, this is so impressive and admirable

[MrCalhoun]

This guy is literally the definition of being dedicated. He became a history professor just to craft more believable worlds for his DnD game. Insane.

[edgarbenjoseph]

I love the way he speaks. Very precise, smart and passionate. I'm sure it must be very fun to have him tell stories as you play.

[oojcgeq]

after just picking up baldurs gate 3 and really learning what DnD is for the first time, i just gotta say im amazed by it all and this is insane