From Tabletop to Togetherness: Fostering Connection and Welcoming New Players Is the Game Industry’s Critical Role

Since its inception in the 1970s, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) has been a game that demands players’ dedication. Campaigns can run across sessions that last several hours or longer, with some players spending months getting attached to the characters they create, as Dungeon Masters weave intricate storylines for the ultimate gaming experience. 

Pop culture hits like Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves have introduced new fans to the world of D&D, but the time commitment remains a daunting hurdle for many newcomers looking to start their quest. Gamemakers, including D&D’s publisher, Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast, are consciously knocking down these hurdles by making games easier for new players to start. 

“Approachability is something we see people want across gaming genres,” says Justice Arman, Managing Game Designer for D&D. “Players are looking for games that keep them engaged, but they also want something they can jump right into if they only have a short time to spare. There has been a rise in shorter game sessions that require a bit less prep.

Wizards of the Coast designed the upcoming D&D Heroes of the Borderlands, out Sept. 16, to be playable within minutes. The Starter Set includes a quick-start guide and adventures that groups can play in one-hour sessions without advanced prep. Wizards streamlined the game’s rules so players don’t need to write anything down. Maps, handouts, and tokens make gameplay easier without sacrificing player immersion.

“Heroes of the Borderlands is going to be unlike anything fans have seen for the current edition of Dungeons & Dragons,” Arman says. “We have reimagined how new players experience the game for the first time, removing barriers that many see as the reason they don’t start D&D, like scheduling multiple hours with friends, and there is no need to read anything ahead of time. This will also give current players an easy way to play with family and friends who have not been part of a D&D adventure before.”

Wizards of the Coast isn’t alone in aiming to make games more accessible and fun for players of all ages. Asmodee, the publisher and distributor behind Catan, Ticket to Ride, and other iconic titles, is incorporating fresh game elements for players looking for more than dice rolling, including companion apps for smartphones, supporting artwork, and more. 

“People want more than just rules and dice — they want to explore, get invested in characters, and share immersive and engaging moments with friends,” explains Julien Sharp, General Manager of Asmodee North America.

Asmodee is bringing fans deeper into the worlds of some of their favorite franchises with narrative-driven games like Star Wars: The Mandalorian Adventures and The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship. 

“We also make sure everything flows together smoothly so the gameplay never breaks the mood,” Sharp says. “The goal is to keep players completely hooked from start to finish, whether they’re on their first quest or their fiftieth.”

In an age of digital disconnect and growing social isolation, tabletop games are a tool for kids to build the skills needed for everyday life and to connect with others. Moose Toys has several games in its current catalog that exemplify these vital elements, including Cownado and the Poppy Playtime Factory Frenzy Game. 

“Games are more than entertainment, they’re one of the most powerful tools we have to help kids grow,” says Deirdre Cross, Senior Vice President of Games & Games Design at Moose Toys. “Through play, children learn problem-solving, empathy, resilience, and creative thinking. But perhaps most importantly, games foster connection. Around a table, kids aren’t just learning rules; they’re learning about each other. The experience of playing a game — of feeling something together — can be transformative.”

Of course, the benefits kids receive from playing games are also there for grown-ups, too.

Gamemakers create the tools for players to bond with one another, but retailers play a key role in creating the space for it to happen. Jess Stetson, Owner and Founder of The Pieceful Project, a retailer in northern Illinois, hosts D&D nights at her store to introduce new players to the game. 

“What I wanted to do was to create a bright, open space where the non-traditional demographics [of game stores] could come in and learn a new game,” Stetson said in an interview for The Toy Book’s 2025 Specialty Toys & Gifts Issue. “Our Dungeon Master is a 10-year-old kid, and he knows exactly what he’s doing; he’s all over it, and he’s just absolutely dominating, but that’s not an experience he would probably get if he were playing at a different type of store.” 

Games have always been a staple in the toy box, but with accessible new formats and story-driven experiences on the rise, the local game store has a renewed role to play as a gathering place, a guidepost for newcomers, and a catalyst for a lifelong love of gaming. It’s an open invitation to help shape the future of play.

A version of this feature was originally published in the 2025 Action & Adventure Issue of The Toy Book. Click here to read the full issue! Want to receive The Toy Book in print? Click here for subscription options!