New documentary explores Dungeons and Dragons’ affect on table-top gaming historical past

This story first appeared in our sister publication, Walworth County Community News.

LAKE GENEVA, Wis. — “50 Years of Fantasy,” an unbiased documentary produced by Build Something Media, has filmed extensively in Lake Geneva as a part of a feature-length exploring Dungeons and Dragons’ affect on tabletop role-playing video games.

The movie debuts in Philadelphia on Jan. 17, 2025 with plans to carry it to Lake Geneva this spring or summer time. 

Lake Geneva holds a singular place within the historical past of fantasy gaming, serving as one of many key places the place trendy tabletop role-playing took form. The documentary returns to town not as a nostalgic cease, however as a residing neighborhood the place the legacy of collaborative storytelling continues by way of native creators, gamers, and business figures.

Filming in Lake Geneva captured the sport as it’s performed and lived at present. The manufacturing documented an all-women’s recreation run by Dungeon Master Heather Ashcraft contained in the historic 330 Center Street location, highlighting how inclusive, player-driven storytelling continues to evolve throughout the passion.

According to a information launch, extra scenes had been filmed contained in the Geneva Lake Museum, the place a dwell tabletop session was recorded due to the assist of Sonja Akright, connecting the sport on to town’s cultural establishments.

The movie additionally options native gameplay with legendary recreation designer Tom Wham, filmed at Culver’s in Lake Geneva, underscoring the on a regular basis, communal nature of tabletop role-playing. Countless interviews had been carried out throughout GaryCon, capturing voices from throughout generations of gamers, designers, and organizers who return to Lake Geneva yr after yr.

Among the featured individuals is Frank Mentzer, interviewed in his dwelling alongside what’s extensively thought to be one of many largest tabletop recreation collections on this planet. Mentzer’s work—together with the enduring boxed units that launched tens of millions to the sport—helped form the type of tabletop role-playing and later impressed broader standard tradition, together with the Duffer Brothers’ Stranger Things.

Additional individuals embrace David “DJ” Johnson, award-winning online game developer recognized for work on Halo and Call of Duty; Peter Adkison, founding father of Wizards of the Coast; and dozens of designers, artists, organizers, and gamers from throughout the tabletop business, many with deep ties to Lake Geneva.

Rather than specializing in merchandise or manufacturers, 50 Years of Fantasy paperwork how tabletop role-playing fostered creativity, collaboration, and belonging—typically round kitchen tables, in basements, libraries, conventions, and native gathering locations.

Lake Geneva’s position in that story is offered as each foundational and ongoing.

“Lake Geneva isn’t just where this history happened,” mentioned director Chris Moreland. “It’s a place where the culture of tabletop role-playing still lives—through people who stayed, built communities, and continue to tell stories together.”

Produced by Build Something Media, a Georgia-based unbiased manufacturing firm, 50 Years of Fantasy is a part of a broader documentary effort to protect ignored cultural historical past and the communities that formed it.

More details about the venture is offered at buildsomethingmedia.com.
Documentary trailer: 

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