The Transformative Potential of Role-Playing Games—: From Play Skills to Human Skills

Background . Several authors from different fields have already mentioned the educational potential of role-playing games (RPG) . As tabletop role-playing games (TRPG) present some similarities with small adult groups in learning and personal development situations, what about their transformative potential? Aim . The purpose of this article is to describe the tabletop role-playing game’s emerging context, a few of its specificities and functions, to show links with several education, play and game , and personal development theories, and to raise awareness about its transformative potential. Methods . Three complementary approaches were used: a literature review (academics and role-players), action-researches through a transformative role-playing game (“ TF-RPG †– a TRPG plus a debriefing), and data cross-analysis. Results . Participants are involved in the TF-RPG through four levels of reality, namely the character, player, person, and human being, which can be associated with four dimensions of learning: knowing, doing, being, and relating. The unveiling of links between the TF-RPG experience and their personal journey offers the participants various ways of learning and paths towards personal development. Conclusion . TRPGs are particularly effective to foster knowledge acquisition, develop role-play skills , strengthen team building , encourage collaborative creativity , and explore one’s personal development.