<Tr> <Th> Skill (s) required </Th> <Td> Role - playing, improvisation, tactics, arithmetic </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> dnd.wizards.com </Td> </Tr> <P> Dungeons & Dragons (abbreviated as D&D or DnD) is a fantasy tabletop role - playing game (RPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson . It was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc . (TSR). The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast (now a subsidiary of Hasbro) since 1997 . It was derived from miniature wargames with a variation of Chainmail serving as the initial rule system . D&D's publication is commonly recognized as the beginning of modern role - playing games and the role - playing game industry . </P> <P> D&D departs from traditional wargaming and assigns each player a specific character to play instead of a military formation . These characters embark upon imaginary adventures within a fantasy setting . A Dungeon Master serves as the game's referee and storyteller while maintaining the setting in which the adventures occur, and playing the role of the inhabitants . The characters form a party that interacts with the setting's inhabitants, and each other . Together they solve dilemmas, engage in battles, and gather treasure and knowledge . In the process the characters earn experience points in order to rise in levels, and become increasingly powerful over a series of sessions . </P>

When did dungeons & dragons first come out