An analysis of the rise in popularity of D&D from seeing the stereotype be a bunch of nerdy white guys in a basement to celebrated shows like Critical Role, Dimension 20, The Adventure Zone, etc. that feature celebrities and qpoc without stigma. Personally, I don’t know what sparked it, though I remember D&D being in Community and Stranger Things, so popular TV shows might have helped with its rise? Of course, it’s not the totally within the mainstream, but I feel like D&D has broken out of its niche (from nerdy white male gatekeeping), and the community is full of women and qpoc living out their nerdy dreams now which is lovely.
I'd be interested in seeing how the recent popularity of DnD tracks with the rise and mainstreaming of superhero movies (esp. Marvel), and if it's reflective of a broader normalization of what used to be considered "nerd culture." – elliotb2 years ago