LitRPG | From Appendix N and Back Again

What this episode covers

Paul and Dan explore the rise of LitRPG, the literary genre where role-playing mechanics drive the narrative. Where did the term come from, and what early works fit the mold before it even had a name? We’ll follow the ouroboros from the pulp fantasy that inspired D&D to novels that track stats, levels, and hit points — and ask how game mechanics have become part of our shared cultural language. Wandering DMs broadcasts live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern. Join the live chat and bring your questions!

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Behind the Scenes: Projects, Pausing the Podcast, and Family Life [Episode 401]

Feb 11, 2026 ·24m

Prayer for hard seasons. [Episode 400]

Feb 4, 2026 ·12m

How I talk to my kids about politics [Episode 399]

Jan 28, 2026 ·45m

Discouraged or too overwhelmed to set goals? Try this. [Episode 398]

Jan 21, 2026 ·31m

Birds: The Gate Way Drug to the Natural World

Jan 15, 2026 ·12m

The Mindset Shift You Need to Homeschool For the Long Haul [Episode 397]

Jan 14, 2026 ·39m

Similar Podcasts

Shamisen Lofi Style 🕔👘 5 AM in Kyoto Asian Serenity [LoFi] 🏮 When ancient shamisen strings dance with modern beats, 5 AM in Kyoto captures that magical moment where sleeping temples meet the first rays of dawn, creating the perfect soundtrack for your soul's peaceful wandering 🎋 Novel to aid sleep shenank novels:"Boy" The Wandering Dog'Tilda Jane's OrphansThe Adventures of a Bear, and a Great Bear TooThe Adventures of a Cat, and a Fine Cat Too!The Adventures of a Dog, and a Good Dog TooThe Adventures of Bob WhiteThe Adventures of Bobby CoonThe Adventures of Buster BearThe Adventures of Danny Meadow Mouse (Dramatic Reading)The Adventures of Danny Meadow Mouse (Version 2)The Adventures of Danny Meadow Mouse (Version 3)The Adventures of Grandfather FrogThe Adventures of Jerry Muskrat (Dramatic Reading)The Adventures of Jerry Muskrat (Version 2)The Adventures of Jimmy SkunkThe Adventures of Johnny ChuckThe Adventures of Lightfoot the DeerThe Adventures of Lightfoot the Deer (Version 2)The Adventures of Maya the BeeThe Adventures of Mr. Mocker (Dramatic Reading)The Adventures of Old Man CoyoteThe Adventures of Old Mr. ToadThe Adventures of Old Mr. Toad (ve Shamisen Lofi Style 🕔👘 5 AM in Kyoto Asian Serenity 🏮 When ancient shamisen strings dance with modern beats, 5 AM in Kyoto captures that magical moment where sleeping temples meet the first rays of dawn, creating the perfect soundtrack for your soul's peaceful wandering 🎋 Barry Lewis Stonkin Foodcast Barry Lewis Stonkin Foodcast Welcome to the Barry Lewis Podcast area! Catch up on the latest episodes of the Stonkin Foodcast with Barry and co-host Alec Plowman as they discuss fun food topics & news, the latest happenings behind the scenes and wandering off into random conversation. Expect mild banter and some audience participation, so get involved!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Wandering DMs?

This episode is 1 hour and 0 minutes long.

When was this Wandering DMs episode published?

This episode was published on September 8, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Paul and Dan explore the rise of LitRPG, the literary genre where role-playing mechanics drive the narrative. Where did the term come from, and what early works fit the mold before it even had a name? We’ll follow the ouroboros from the pulp fantasy...

Can I download this Wandering DMs episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.