The Tabletop Campfire - A return to the tabletop

The tabletop campfire is a concept that I found initially through the videos of Runehammer games, creator of some of my favourite RPGs, as well as being a prolific mind within the tabletop space.

So what is it?

The concept is, much like the way a campfire becomes a meeting place, a safe haven in the wilderness, so too does the Tabletop. Whether you’re playing a Tabletop Roleplaying Game or a boardgame, the table becomes the proverbial campfire you have gathered around to talk, laugh, game, eat and drink.

The rise of the Virtual Tabletop

I’ll be the first to state the convenience and power of the Virtual tabletop. For many years this was the primary way I got together with my playgroup. The ability to play games like Dungeons and Dragons or other TTRPGs over the internet can allow you to continue games with people who may live in other areas of the country or world.

This was also highlighted through 2020-2021 when it was near impossible to meet in person for games. But for me there is no substitute for sitting around a table with friends with a few snacks and some brews to tell stories.

The next stage of Digital

With the launch of the new edition of DnD and the all but confirmed shift to focus on digital with their new VTT, I foresee the continued rise of the OSR popularity as people look outside of the DND IP for something new.

This means that people may be more inclined to try new games such as Old School Essentials or ShadowdarkRPG in person around the table. The future of some VTTs feels more like playing a video game than a TTRPG and I think this will lead people to explore more ways of play.

I believe that we still have not seen the full potential of VTTs in replicating in person play, this is being explored by some of my favourite VTTs like AlchemyRPG (focusing on storytelling) Owlbear Rodeo (minimalism and low friction gaming) these to me show how digital games shine.

In the Flesh and Blood

Over the past few years there has been a return to gaming in person both in the tabletop space but also in other areas such as TCGs (Trading card games). Flesh and Blood, one of the most popular card games right now, has built its brand and name around playing games face to face.

I would argue its popularity has been instrumental in bringing back in person Magic the Gathering Tournaments such as Pro Tours that were halted before 2020 and have only come back in the last year or so after flesh and bloods in person pro circuit saw a huge rise in popularity. Flesh and Blood even brought back an old MTG slogan “play the game see the world”.

Returning to the table

Virtual tabletops are here to stay and for good reason. They allow people to play games with friends that might otherwise not have the opportunity to due to location. But I think for me there is no substitute for face to face games sitting around the tabletop campfire especially as games like DND become more digitally focused and move away from what sparked my love for TTRPGs.

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