The growing popularity of Tabletop RPGs
The popularity of Tabletop RPGs has absolutely taken off over the last few years, and honestly, it feels like we’re living in a bit of a golden age for them. When I first dipped my toe into D&D years ago, it felt pretty niche… you had your classic fantasy setting, a stack of books that weighed as much as a small child, and a group of mates who were happy to spend a Saturday night arguing about whether a goblin could technically dual-wield frying pans. Now? The whole scene has blown wide open, and it’s brilliant. Actual-play shows (where people sit and stream themselves playing) have made TTRPGs accessible to anyone with a spare hour and a half and an internet connection, and suddenly people everywhere are discovering how fun it is to share a story, sling some dice, and collectively make absolute chaos.
What’s really exciting is that TTRPGs aren’t just “elves and dungeons” anymore. Sure, D&D is still the big giant stomping around, but the range of genres out there now is massive. You want gritty sci-fi? There’s a system for that. Noir detective mysteries, cyberpunk hacking crews, horror stories that’ll have you eyeing the shadows… it’s all out there. And each one plays differently, with its own vibe, rules, and storytelling style. It’s like opening a door and finding a whole shelf of new worlds to pick from each time you sit down to play. The great thing is, once you’ve played one, you sort of have the bones of what you need to get involved in all of them.
The indie scene is where the real magic is happening, though. Small creators are absolutely smashing it with inventive settings and rules-light systems that focus on storytelling, vibes, or wild new mechanics you’d never see in a big publisher’s book. There’s something special about sitting at the table and saying, “Right, this game lets us play as ghosts solving our own murder,” or “Tonight we’re space truckers dealing with cosmic nonsense.” You can tell these indie games come from people who love TTRPGs and want to share that excitement with the rest of us. I see RPG elements creeping into more “regular” games too.
The best part? TTRPGs bring people together in a way most hobbies can’t touch. You’re not just playing a game, you’re building a story with your mates, laughing at terrible dice rolls, panicking as the DM grins too widely, and creating the kind of ridiculous memories you’ll talk about for years. And because there’s a game for every mood and every kind of player, more people than ever are jumping in and finding the exact flavour of adventure that fits them.
So yeah, TTRPGs are booming, and honestly, it’s an amazing time to be part of it. Whether you’re battling dragons, flying starships, slinging spells in a café, or just trying not to get eaten by something with too many teeth, there’s never been a better moment to grab some mates, grab some dice, and dive in.
Why is that great news for those of us in the industry?
The boom in TTRPG popularity is honestly one of the best things that could’ve happened for creatives. When more people are playing, suddenly the whole industry opens up, there’s more demand for art, maps, writing, layout design, worldbuilding, music, you name it. Indie creators especially are thriving, because players are hungry for fresh ideas, new settings, and quirky little games that do something different. It means artists get to draw weirder monsters, writers get to craft stranger worlds, and designers get to experiment without needing a huge studio behind them.
And the best part is that it’s not just the “big names” who benefit. The community loves supporting small creators. Kickstarter and other crowdfunding platforms have come along at the right time too. It means, if you’ve got a creative spark and something cool to offer: a map, a system, a setting, even just a fun PDF there’s likey folks out there ready to get behind the project. The surge in interest has basically turned TTRPGs into this buzzing, collaborative playground where creatives can actually get paid to bring their wildest ideas to life. It’s honestly a brilliant time to be making things.
It’s not just those of us already working in the industry who benefit too. Folks on the cusp of joining are enjoying more opportunities than ever to earn their chops. I love it!
Hi I’m Jamie!
I work on fantasy and sci-fi maps for various clients from authors to game publishers. I have had some great clients working on both established IPs and new settings. I’m always interested in hearing about more projects I might be needed on, so feel free to drop me an email to info@thenobleartist.com
If you’re looking for a fantasy artist, feel free to snoop through my illustration portfolio or head straight over to contact me for work. You’ll find my email address and some handy forms which guide you through some of the starting info I’ll need to be able to quote for you. Typically I’m booked up a month ahead of time, but do drop me a line if you have anything time sensitive. Sometimes I’m able to move things around in a pinch. Hope to hear from you! In the meantime, stay informed of my new work and availability and sign up for the mailing list.
