Dungeons and Dragons continues to be the alpha dog when it comes to tabletop role-playing games. A few surprises are in store, however, for the top 5 games being played in 2020. Without further ado, they are:
#1: Dungeons and Dragons
At least one edition of D&D was selected by 52.2% of the tabletop roleplaying gamers that responded to our survey. It was–by far–the most selected RPG, being selected almost 6 times as often as the number two RPG on this list.
Dungeons and Dragons has dominated the fantasy RPG community for decades, only briefly being surpassed by Pathfinder soon after it forked from D&D 3.5e.
Wizards of the Coast, the owner of the D&D brand, continues to invest in new material. Eberron, the sourcebook released in November 2019, has proven to be especially popular as it combines the main elements of traditional fantasy RPG with steampunk to create a fun, unique world in which to adventure.
- Check out our D&D Dice.
#2: Pathfinder
After being announced in 2008 by Paizo, Pathfinder was officially launched a year later and briefly overtook D&D as the most popular tabletop RPG. It was originally based on D&D 3.5e but improved several areas of the edition that Paizo felt were lacking.
Now in its second edition, it has slipped comfortably back into the #2 spot but given the market fragmentation is still a giant of a RPG.
Pathfinder is currently being played by 9.1% of all tabletop roleplaying gamers. Even though that number is much less than the 52.2% that are playing D&D, it is played almost twice as often as the #3 tabletop RPG.
- Check out our Official Pathfinder Dice.
#3: Call of Cthulu
4.6% of the tabletop RPG community has heard Cthulu’s call. Originally released in 1981 and based on H.P. Lovecraft’s Call of Cthulu story, the RPG has long had a strong following and devoted fans. Unlike many tabletop roleplaying games, Call of Cthulu players will need a set of d10s to play the game as it opts for percentile rolls over the types of rolls for which a 7-dice set is typically used.
#4: Star Wars the RPG
Finishing a strong 4th in this year’s survey is Star Wars the RPG. It should probably not be a huge surprise given the massive investment that Disney is making into one of its most popular acquired brands. The Mandalorian is the top new show on Disney+ and new movies are always in the works.
The original RPG was created by West End Games in 1987 and the RGP has been widely credited with keeping the franchise alive. In fact, several things from the RPG have found its way into Star Wars Canon.
The original game strictly relied on 6-sided dice. However, its more recent editions utilize dice and concepts more familiar with players of D&D.
Tie #5: Shadowrun & Werewolf
Both Shadowrun and Werewolf are being played by 4% of the tabletop roleplaying game community. Shadowrun is a RPG that takes place in a near-future fictional universe where cybernetics, magic, and fantasy creatures co-exist. Originally created in 1989, it has maintained its status as a somewhat popular RPG for a number of years.
Werewolf is made up of a collection of RPGs from White Wolf Publishing and eventually Onyn Path Publishing. In Werewolf, players take on the roles of Werewolves known as Garou who are locked in war against both the march of civilization and supernatural forces trying to bring about the Apocalypse.
Tabletop RPG is–Mostly–Fractured
While D&D is, by far, the most common tabletop RGP being played, it just barely captures half the market. Which RPGs do you believe aren't getting enough attention? Are you surprised by the rankings of any of the above mentioned games? Let us know in the comments below.
