Dungeon Lore VI: Actual Plays and Peak D&D

In this week's Flashlight, we talk the rise of actual plays, the incredible profitability of Wizards of the Coast, and the professionalization of a hobby. We get into both academic media theory and SEC filings. Reilly is astounded by how many movies Jake has never seen. Spoiler warnings for Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves as well as "I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream" as well as maybe Rick and Morty? Also, we mention our Patreon on air for the first time.

Here are some links that we used in research for the episode. (It's a research-heavy episode.)

• Here’s a CNBC article about Wizards of the Coast’s financials, including its profitability. 
• Here’s a link to World’s Largest Dungeon Session 01, which is the oldest RPGMP3 episode still online.
• Here’s the host of RPGMP3 talking about actual play podcasts in 2008. 
• Here’s a Polygon article about the history and format of actual plays.
• Here’s an academic journal article on actual play production and monetization.
• Here’s a discussion of actual play shows trying to tell inclusive stories.
• Here’s an academic journal article that analyzes actual plays through a media studies lens. 
• Here’s another CNBC article (sorry) quoting WotC management on the importance of actual play to the business.
• Here’s Hasbro’s quarterly SEC filing from May 2024.

If you like the music on the show, go check out more of Reilly's music.

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What is Campaign Spotlight?

This show explores the creativity and originality of home tabletop games. Every two weeks we interview a GM to hear about the unique world they've built and the story they've told for their players. Between these interviews we take a deeper dive into the history of tabletop gaming.