The Sixth R: ‘Reskinning’ the Open Educational RPG

OER comprise the entire gamut of media—this should include tabletop roleplaying games (RPG)! Countless instructors have experienced the benefits of simulated scenarios as a pedagogical medium to make abstract concepts tangible, but this can limit access to quality scenarios to those associated with expensive publishers or to materials crafted or purchased by well-resourced instructors or institutions. Meanwhile a host of highly accessible RPG exist under open licenses—many encouraging a sixth R: “Reskinning.” Reskinning is the game design practice of keeping mechanics of play while modifying narrative and theme. For us, this can mean repurposing an RPG for classroom use. This presentation highlights the pedagogical value of RPG, makes the case for RPG OER, and provides some practical considerations for “Reskinning” for instruction.