Year of Graduation
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Major
International Studies
Directing Professor
Dr. Ashleigh Breske
Abstract
Far-right ideologies have become more prevalent, both in the political sphere as well as fictional and fantasy spaces. This project analyzes the rise of far-right ideology within tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) and offers potential reasons as to why this shift is occurring. Through the analysis of three Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) campaigns from TTRPG show Dimension 20, combined with psychological and sociological research, this work highlights the importance of actions within TTRPGs and their impact on our actual reality. Many may act within the confines of fantastical worlds such as TTRPGs in a way that aligns with far-right ideology because they agree with these ideas. However, this project offers an additional explanation for the inclusion of far-right ideologies within TTRPGs; as a means for players to fight back against these ideas, in such a manner that could encourage real world dissent against real world far-right groups and ideals. I argue that this fantastical dissent has the potential for positive, real-world applications for acting against harmful far-right ideologies.
Recommended Citation
Johnston, Jenna C., "I Roll to Attack the King: An Examination of Far-Right Dissent and TTRPGs in the Contemporary Age" (2025). Undergraduate Honors Theses, Hollins University. 77.
https://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/ughonors/77