Gaming NPR explores the latest in games and gaming culture — from the latest digital titles to what's on our tabletops.

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The Illusionist in question. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: The Rogues Gallery, by Brian Blume with Dave Cook and Jean Wells. 1980, TSR Games. hide caption

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Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: The Rogues Gallery, by Brian Blume with Dave Cook and Jean Wells. 1980, TSR Games.

As D&D turns 50, we remember the early days

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Actor and stunt performer Andi Norris wears a full body suit covered in sensors — part of the behind-the-scenes process that makes video game characters come to life. Norris is part of the negotiating team for SAG-AFTRA, which is on strike against major gaming companies. The future of AI in game development has become a central issue. Andi Norris hide caption

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Andi Norris

The character Aerith Gainsborough in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. James Mastromarino/Square Enix hide caption

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James Mastromarino/Square Enix

Video game performers are on strike — and AI is the sticking point

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The handheld video game console Game Boy manufactured by Nintendo in 1989. Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images

The Scadutree towers over The Land of Shadow, a photonegative of the Erdtree in The Lands Between. Bandai Namco hide caption

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Bandai Namco

Video game economics Theresa O'Reilly/NPR hide caption

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Theresa O'Reilly/NPR
Theresa O'Reilly for NPR

Inside video game economics (Two Indicators)

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A new version of the popular board game Catan, which hits shelves this summer, introduces energy production and pollution into the gameplay. Catan GmbH hide caption

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Catan GmbH
Theresa O'Reilly for NPR

The explosive growth of Esports has made it so that elite-level competitive gamers can leverage their ability into a full-time job. But what does the life of a typical Esports pro look like and how do they think about their long-term prospects with Esports growth stagnating? Theresa O'Reilly for NPR hide caption

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Theresa O'Reilly for NPR

The boom and bust of esports

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Accessibility has long been an afterthought in the video game industry. However, that's changed over the last decade as incentives have changed. It's estimated that there are 46 million gamers with disabilities, creating a strong incentive for video game companies to improve their accessibility efforts. Theresa O'Reilly for NPR hide caption

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Theresa O'Reilly for NPR

Designing for disability: how video games become more accessible

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The 2010s saw a seismic shift in the business model for the video game industry. The widespread embrace of the "Live Service" model revolutionized the industry and enabled companies to maximize their profits, to the annoyance of many gamers. Theresa O'Reilly for NPR hide caption

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Theresa O'Reilly for NPR

Forever games: the economics of the live service model

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A new version of the popular board game Catan, which hits shelves this summer, introduces energy production and pollution into the gameplay. Catan GmbH hide caption

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Catan GmbH

How do you build without over polluting? That's the challenge of new Catan board game

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Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate, plays a chess game in Times Square, Friday, April 19, 2024, in New York Yuki Iwamura/AP hide caption

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Yuki Iwamura/AP

This Nigerian chess master aims to raise money by playing the longest continuous game

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Ella Purnell stars as Lucy in Fallout. Prime Video hide caption

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Prime Video