New survey data reveals how role-playing games help people cope with stress, loneliness, burnout, and an increasingly overwhelming real world.

From date nights to deep friendships, tabletop RPGs help players reduce stress, build connection, and turn storytelling into real-life support.

Here’s a breakdown of common problems new players face when starting D&D, and how StartPlaying Games solves each.

​Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) offer unique environments that help foster deep and meaningful relationships among participants. Playing together brings us together, and the play in these types of games emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and communication, all of which are foundational elements in building strong interpersonal connections.​

Research shows that Tabletop RPGs (TTRPGs) in particular have great benefits for the brain and even show some promise being used in clinical settings.

“We want the community to know that when we say tabletop games are for everyone, we mean everyone,” said Devon Chulick, StartPlaying’s Chief Operating Officer. “60-70% of the TTRPG space is male, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Horse girls might be a niche part of the TTRPG market, but it’s their passion for their craft that inspired us to make a space just for them.”

We are thrilled to announce that StartPlaying has raised $6.5M in Seed funding, led by a16z, general partners Jonathan Lai and Andrew Chen.

Making a living playing Dungeons & Dragons sounds like a dream, and it often feels like one when you’ve got great support! Then tax season comes around, and suddenly the reality kicks in. There’s no W-2 to make things easy, you’re a self-employed individual now. Or would you be better off as a business? Can you write off your dice and energy drinks? Does your small corner of the living room count as a home office? We’re just as confused as you are, so we asked self-employment tax expert Liz Hanley for her sage advice.