Dungeons and Dragons at 50

The story of one of the most influential games of all time.

This event takes place in the British Library and will be simultaneously live streamed on the British Library platform. Tickets may be booked either to attend in person, or to watch on our platform (online) either live or within 48 hours on catch up. Viewing links will be sent out shortly before the event.

Created in 1974 and now played around the world Dungeons and Dragons is the blueprint for half a century of role-playing games and its success changed the landscape of fantasy film, fiction and gaming forever more. The game continues to inspire with 2023 marking the release of the blockbuster movie Honor Among Thieves and smash hit video game Baldur’s Gate 3. We will be celebrating the life and legacy of Dungeons and Dragons, from its humble beginnings 50 years ago to the present day. Join Sir Ian Livingstone as he shares the tale of bringing the little-known American game to a new generation of RPG fans in the 1970s. Then enjoy a panel of enthusiasts chatting about the myriad of ways the original concept has been reinterpreted and innovated, featuring the UK’s biggest D&D streamers High Rollers. Half price in person tickets available for Members, students, under 26s and other concession groups.

Doors and Bar open at 18:00. If you’re attending in person, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event.

Follow @eventsBL on X for the latest events updates

Sir Ian Livingstone is one of the founding fathers of the UK games industry. He co-founded Games Workshop in 1975 with Steve Jackson, launching Dungeons & Dragons in Europe, Warhammer, White Dwarf, Citadel Miniatures, and the Games Workshop retail chain. He has had a successful career in the video games industry, co-leading the merger which created video games publisher Eidos plc where he served as Executive Chairman, launching blockbuster titles Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Deus Ex and Hitman. As a writer he co-authored The Warlock of Firetop Mountain with Steve Jackson in 1982, the first gamebook in the Fighting Fantasy series which has sold 21 million copies worldwide. He has written 17 books in the series and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Fighting Fantasy he wrote a new title Shadow of the Giants which was published by Scholastic. His latest book is entitled Dice Men and is a personal memoir about the origin story of Games Workshop. This event accompanies the British Library exhibition Fantasy: Realms of Imagination 27 October – 25 February supported by Wayland Games and Unwin Charitable Trust:

If you’re attending in person, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event.

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The story of one of the most influential games of all time.

This event takes place in the British Library and will be simultaneously live streamed on the British Library platform. Tickets may be booked either to attend in person, or to watch on our platform (online) either live or within 48 hours on catch up. Viewing links will be sent out shortly before the event.

Created in 1974 and now played around the world Dungeons and Dragons is the blueprint for half a century of role-playing games and its success changed the landscape of fantasy film, fiction and gaming forever more. The game continues to inspire with 2023 marking the release of the blockbuster movie Honor Among Thieves and smash hit video game Baldur’s Gate 3. We will be celebrating the life and legacy of Dungeons and Dragons, from its humble beginnings 50 years ago to the present day. Join Sir Ian Livingstone as he shares the tale of bringing the little-known American game to a new generation of RPG fans in the 1970s. Then enjoy a panel of enthusiasts chatting about the myriad of ways the original concept has been reinterpreted and innovated, featuring the UK’s biggest D&D streamers High Rollers. Half price in person tickets available for Members, students, under 26s and other concession groups.

Doors and Bar open at 18:00. If you’re attending in person, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event.

Follow @eventsBL on X for the latest events updates

Sir Ian Livingstone is one of the founding fathers of the UK games industry. He co-founded Games Workshop in 1975 with Steve Jackson, launching Dungeons & Dragons in Europe, Warhammer, White Dwarf, Citadel Miniatures, and the Games Workshop retail chain. He has had a successful career in the video games industry, co-leading the merger which created video games publisher Eidos plc where he served as Executive Chairman, launching blockbuster titles Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Deus Ex and Hitman. As a writer he co-authored The Warlock of Firetop Mountain with Steve Jackson in 1982, the first gamebook in the Fighting Fantasy series which has sold 21 million copies worldwide. He has written 17 books in the series and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Fighting Fantasy he wrote a new title Shadow of the Giants which was published by Scholastic. His latest book is entitled Dice Men and is a personal memoir about the origin story of Games Workshop.