10 Role-Playing Games (RPG) for Team Building: Traditional & Purpose-Built Games

Role-playing games (RPG) are increasingly used in corporate settings as powerful tools for team building. They allow participants to step into roles, collaborate creatively, and solve challenges in a structured yet imaginative environment. This article presents a curated list of traditional RPGs adaptable to team building and purpose-built RPGs:

Part 1: Traditional RPGs Applicable to Team Building

1. Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) https://www.dndbeyond.com/

• Type: Tabletop RPG

• Objective: Improves communication, strategic thinking, and collaboration.

• Practical Use: Teams navigate quests simulating workplace challenges, fostering problem-solving and teamwork.

2. Fiasco https://bullypulpitgames.com/products/fiasco

• Type: Tabletop RPG

• Objective: Enhances storytelling, improvisation, and conflict navigation.

• Practical Use: Teams practice handling uncertainty and developing creative solutions collaboratively.

3. Amber – Diceless RPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/1447/amber

• Type: Tabletop / Diceless RPG

• Objective: Fosters creative collaboration and shared storytelling.

• Practical Use: Teams collectively build scenarios and solve problems, emphasizing idea exchange and cooperation.

• Reference: Amber Diceless RPG

4. Vampire: The Masquerade https://renegadegamestudios.com/vampire-the-masquerade-5th-edition-roleplaying-game-core-rulebook/

• Type: Tabletop RPG

• Objective: Develops diplomacy, negotiation, and social skills.

• Practical Use: Teams navigate complex social interactions and alliances, practicing empathy, persuasion, and conflict resolution.

5. Pendragon – Team of Knights https://www.chaosium.com/pendragon-rpg

• Type: Tabletop RPG

• Objective: Strengthens teamwork, leadership, and collaborative decision-making.

• Practical Use: Players adopt knightly roles, emphasizing shared strategy and ethical collaboration in quests.

6. Call of Cthulhu https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-rpg

• Type: Tabletop RPG

• Objective: Enhances analytical thinking, investigative skills, and team coordination.

• Practical Use: Teams solve mysteries collaboratively, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving.

7. Microscope https://lamemage.com/microscope/

• Type: Storytelling RPG

• Objective: Builds long-term planning, collaboration, and shared vision.

• Practical Use: Ideal for strategic planning sessions where teams align on future goals.

8. The Resistance / Avalon https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/128882/the-resistance-avalon

• Type: Card-based RPG

• Objective: Improves trust, communication, and critical thinking.

• Practical Use: Teams identify hidden roles, practicing persuasion, observation, and trust-building.

9. City of Mist https://sonofoak.com/pages/city-of-mist

• Type: Narrative RPG

• Objective: Develops role adaptability, creative thinking, and interpersonal communication.

• Practical Use: Focus on leadership roles, decision-making under uncertainty, and collaboration in evolving narratives.

• 
  

Part 2: RPG Specifically Designed for Team Building

10. T3 Method The Team Tale – Corporate RPG https://www.theteamtale.com/

• Type: Tabletop / Custom RPG

• Objective: Integrates real corporate challenges into gameplay, fostering collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving.

• Description: The T3 Method is specifically designed for corporate environments. Participants adopt characters and collaboratively solve challenges inspired by actual business cases. Unlike traditional RPGs, T3 combines structured objectives with the immersive and engaging mechanics of role-playing.

• Practical Use: Successfully tested in workshops such as BMS Sierre, T3 provides a structured, adaptable framework for team-building exercises that aligns directly with organizational goals.

Why T3 Method The Team Tale is effective for team building:

• Purpose-built design: Unlike generic RPGs, it’s created to address real team dynamics and business objectives.

• Structured and flexible: Offers measurable outcomes while maintaining engagement and creativity.

• Adaptable scenarios: Facilitators can tailor challenges to team size, goals, and skill levels.

• Proven impact: Workshops show measurable improvement in collaboration, communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

Takeaways for Implementing RPGs in Team Building

1. Define objectives: Determine the skills or behaviors you want to develop.

2. Select the right RPG: Traditional or purpose-built depending on your goals.

3. Plan and facilitate: Set clear rules, objectives, and debriefing processes.

4. Debrief and reflect: Discuss learnings and team dynamics after sessions.

5. Iterate: Adjust scenarios based on team feedback and evolving needs.

FAQ

Q: Which RPGs work best for team building?A: Both traditional RPGs (D&D, Amber, Call of Cthulhu, Pendragon, Vampire) and purpose-built RPGs (T3 Method) are effective, depending on your objectives.

Q: How long should a team-building RPG session last?A: 1–3 hours for short exercises, or full-day workshops for immersive experiences.

Q: How can results be measured?A: Through observation, surveys, debrief discussions, and performance metrics to evaluate impact.

Thanks to Edgar, you know :)