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8 1 Book Review 4
8 1 Book Review 4
an invaluable text for those working on D&D hype that Laycock explores—I think
LEGO (aided by a comprehensive resource they harbored a fundamental mistrust of
guide included in an appendix) and related evangelists such as Jerry Falwell and Pat
transmedia phenomena but it also offers Robertson—yet, neither did they join in
an example of the depth and detail for my or my sister’s game sessions or even
which such scholarship should strive. ask much about D&D.
Jason Mittell’s afterword thoughtfully Laycock’s general thesis is that role-
cautions against allowing such inquiry to playing games (RPGs) and religion share
codify into a discipline. Instead, he urges a number of characteristics, including
readers to “take inspiration from its cross- their construction of multiple worlds and
disciplinary strengths and keen insights, the ability of their adherents or players
but also recognize its gaps” (p. 272). The to move between these worlds (and also
book primes the reader for this very sort to transform themselves through this
of engagement, offering rich insights, thor- movement) and that both games and reli-
ough research, and sharp analyses and gion can be viewed using the same set of
providing models of exploration that are cultural and sociological lenses. He also
as carefully considered and open-ended as asserts that religion essentially needed
the LEGO system itself. to attack role-playing games, especially
D&D, to assert its own “reality” and rel-
—Meredith Bak, Rutgers University-Cam- evance during a time when such con-
den, Camden, NJ cepts were commonly being called into
question sociologically (the rise of cults
and the increase in urban and suburban
violence, for example) and through the
Dangerous Games: What media (the proliferation of occult-based
the Moral Panic over Role- films and books as well as evangelical pro-
Playing Games Says about Play, gramming). Ironically, Laycock argues, the
Religion, and Imagined Worlds very role-playing games that the Christian
Joseph P Laycock right and parental concern groups such
Oakland, CA: University of California as BADD (Bothered About Dungeons &
Press, 2015. Notes, bibliography, index. Dragons) were attacking could be used
349 pp. $29.95 paper. to deconstruct their own agendas and
ISBN: 9780520284920 to point out the constructed nature and
potential abuses of religion when viewed
I am old enough to remember what Joseph as game.
P. Laycock describes as the 1980’s “moral Laycock’s book is divided into two
panic” concerning Dungeons & Dragons parts: first, a well-researched description
(D&D). I was a casual player of the game of the moral panic concerning D&D and
at that time, and I also enjoyed the Satur- other role-playing games from the 1970s
day morning D&D television series that through the 1990s; and, second, a cultural
aired from 1983 to 1985. My parents, to analysis of this moral panic. In the first
their credit, never bought into the anti- section, Laycock presents meticulous