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RPGnet: the story on HearLore | HearLore
Common questions
When was RPGnet founded and who were the founders?
RPGnet was founded in 1996 by Emma Antunes, Sandy Antunes, Shawn Althouse, and Brian David Phillips. The four strangers launched the site as a unification effort for transient game sites that were constantly appearing and disappearing.
What software did RPGnet use to launch its forums in 1997?
The RPGnet forums began in 1997 using Matt's WWWBoard script, a simple threaded message board system that prioritized game design and industry news above all else. The site later migrated to vBulletin software in 2002 and to XenForo 2 software in November 2018.
How many reviews does the RPGnet archive contain today?
The site maintains an active archive of approximately 13,000 reviews today. The review system was overhauled in early 2003, introducing cross-references to improve navigation of the large review archive.
Who edited RPGnet columns before January 2008?
Prior to 2008, Columns Editing was handled by C.W. Richeson, Shannon Appelcline, Michael Fiegel and Sandy Antunes. Shannon Appelcline took over as editor in January 2008.
How many games and editions does the RPGnet Gaming Index list as of November 2018?
As of the 13th of November 2018, the site has 19832 games, 3250 additional editions, and 2245 magazines. These figures account for 1458 unique game systems.
When was RPGnet sold to RPGMatch and what changed?
In 2024, RPG.net was sold to RPGMatch, who would take over development duties while the administration of the forums remained independent. This sale marked a new chapter in the site's history.
RPGnet
In 1996, four strangers met in the chaotic early days of the internet to build a sanctuary for tabletop gamers, creating what would become the longest-running community hub for role-playing games. Emma and Sandy Antunes, Shawn Althouse, and Brian David Phillips launched RPGnet not as a commercial venture but as a unification effort for transient game sites that were constantly appearing and disappearing. This digital campfire grew from a simple message board script into a sprawling ecosystem that now hosts over 19,000 games and thousands of active discussions. The founders envisioned a place where game designers, writers, and players could converge without the commercial pressures that often drove other gaming sites to close their doors. By 2001, the site had grown so large that Skotos Tech purchased it, yet the founders insisted on maintaining creative and editorial autonomy to preserve the community's unique voice. Today, the site remains a testament to the power of niche communities, with volunteer moderators enforcing rules that go beyond written policies to ensure the forums remain friendly and welcoming. The site's history is a story of survival in an era when most gaming forums vanished within months, yet RPGnet has thrived for nearly three decades.
The Forum Evolution
The RPGnet forums began in 1997 using Matt's WWWBoard script, a simple threaded message board system that prioritized game design and industry news above all else. By 2002, the site migrated to vBulletin software, a move that allowed for the addition of new sections catering to the growing player and enthusiast user bases. This transition marked a turning point where the forums expanded from a niche discussion group into a broad platform covering video games, play-by-post, board games, and even sections for photography and parenting. The forums have since migrated to XenForo 2 software in November 2018, a move that preserved the site's legacy while modernizing its technical infrastructure. Over time, the forums developed numerous in-jokes, taglines, and recurring flame wars that became part of the site's culture. Many game writers, artists, and designers post regularly, creating a vibrant ecosystem where tabletop roleplaying open forums generate the most posts per day. The site's policies have occasionally been referenced by other platforms and forums when drawing their own rules, establishing RPGnet as a model for community moderation. A wide range of tastes are present on the forums, with smaller niche and indie role-playing games particularly well represented, while threads on popular systems like Dungeons & Dragons, World of Darkness, and GURPS remain fairly common. Exalted is known for generating a particularly large number of discussion threads, reflecting the passionate community surrounding that specific game.
Reviews have been an important part of RPGnet since its inception, with the site maintaining an active archive of approximately 13,000 reviews today. The review system was overhauled in early 2003, introducing cross-references to improve navigation of the large review archive. Currently, reviews appear on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with RPG reviews published on Mondays and Fridays while reviews of other products are published on Wednesdays. Most reviews focus on roleplaying games or supplements, though users have contributed numerous reviews of board and card games in recent years. RPGnet also publishes reviews of movies, books, music albums and comics, though less frequently. The site's review system has become a valuable resource for gamers seeking detailed analysis of products, with cross-references allowing users to navigate the archive efficiently. The site's review archive has been referenced by other platforms and forums, establishing RPGnet as a trusted source for gaming criticism. The site's review system has evolved to include full RSS feeds and database-oriented lookups, integrating seamlessly with the RPGnet forums. This integration allows users to access reviews directly from forum discussions, creating a seamless experience for gamers seeking information about products.
The Columnists
RPGnet currently has approximately 20 regular columns, posted on a four-week, Monday-Friday schedule with 3 to 4 columns posted during a typical week. Most columns cover gamemasters offering advice on running roleplaying games to other gamemasters, but there is some variety. Notable columns have included 52 Pickup which promised to offer a new game every week for a year, though it got to about a dozen before the initial author gave up, then another dozen before the second one did. Behind the Counter continues to detail the runnings of a gaming retail store, while Freelancing is Not Free describes how to freelance in the gaming industry. Noteworthy columnists have included game industry veterans such as Ross Winn, Chad Underkoffler and Matt Drake. Sandy Antunes' monthly column has run without interruption since inception, a testament to the site's stability and the dedication of its contributors. The columns software was upgraded in 2006, now including full RSS feeds as well as a variety of database-oriented lookups and full integration into the RPGnet forums. Prior to 2008, Columns Editing was handled by C.W. Richeson, Shannon Appelcline, Michael Fiegel and Sandy Antunes, with Shannon Appelcline taking over as editor in January 2008. RPGnet columns have been referenced on Slashdot, including Gaming Girls of GenCon and A History of Wizards of the Coast, as well as on many blogs and gaming sites. The site has become noted as a source for player theory on role-playing games, often written by authors with an academic background.
The Wiki and Index
The RPGnet wiki was added in early 2005, initially conceived as a place for people jointly design roleplaying supplements and game systems. It has also been used to assemble an encyclopedia of roleplaying terms and resources, and compile information about ongoing campaigns taking place on the forums. The RPGnet Wiki is built on MediaWiki, the same software used by Wikipedia, allowing for collaborative editing and comprehensive documentation. In 2006, RPGnet added a catalog of role-playing games known as the Gaming Index, intended to hold every English RPG product. This system is searchable through a variety of means, including notable hyperlinks to other products by the publisher, authors or game line and links to RPGnet's reviews of the product. Users can add products, rank, and comment on them. As of the 13th of November 2018, the site has 19832 games, 3250 additional editions, and 2245 magazines, accounting for 1458 unique game systems. The Gaming Index has become a valuable resource for gamers seeking information about specific products, with the ability to add products and comment on them. The site's wiki and index have been referenced by other platforms and forums, establishing RPGnet as a trusted source for gaming information. The site's wiki and index have evolved to include full RSS feeds and database-oriented lookups, integrating seamlessly with the RPGnet forums.
The Business Model
RPGnet formerly featured a RPG store, which is a RPGnet-branded version of RPGShop, offering a direct way for users to purchase gaming products. The site also offers a membership program which gives subscribers early access to reviews, a few forum privileges, and online access to some Days of Wonder games. The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) publishes a semi-annual journal called Games and Education, with past issues of this journal archived on the RPGnet site as of 1998. In 2024, RPG.net was sold to RPGMatch, who would take over development duties while the administration of the forums was to remain independent. This sale marked a new chapter in the site's history, with RPGMatch taking over development duties while the forums' administration remained independent. The site's business model has evolved over time, from a volunteer-run community to a commercial entity with membership programs and store features. The site's business model has been referenced by other platforms and forums, establishing RPGnet as a model for sustainable gaming communities. The site's business model has evolved to include full RSS feeds and database-oriented lookups, integrating seamlessly with the RPGnet forums.