Episode 12 :The Craze that was the "Satanic Panic

The wall of Unusual

In this episode, we delve into the tumultuous history of Dungeons & Dragons during the 1980s, a period marked by the "Satanic Panic." We explore how D&D, a tabletop role-playing game loved by millions, became the focal point of a moral panic where it was accused of promoting Satanism, leading to real-life consequences for its players.
We begin by discussing the origins of D&D, created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and how its themes of magic, fantasy, and role-playing were misinterpreted by some religious groups and media. The episode covers notable incidents like the disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III, which, despite having no actual connection to D&D, was sensationalized by the media, further fueling public hysteria.