Every week the EFG staff will be defining a gaming term that is either confusing or ill-defined. Please leave a comment with any terms you find confusing and we will try to include them in future editions!
The gaming definition this week is a term that is applicable to many well-known games: Dungeon
A Dungeon is a set location compromising of combat and/or puzzle elements, often with higher rewards or loot than normal gameplay. Dungeons can be a spot for characters to repeatedly have monsters spawn (enter the game), so they can gain XP (Experience Points), or it can be a single continuous narrative and combat experience. Often combat and narrative escalate in complexity and difficulty as you progress through. In some cases they culminate with a boss fight.
dungeons with dice
Dungeons can be found across many types of games from card games, board games, table top role play games, LARPs, and video games of all types. Dungeons are also a common part of most MMORPG (many multiplayer online role-playing games). In Minecraft Dungeons they take the dungeon crawler gameplay and adds a boxy twist with their graphics style.
In board and card games there are many formats a dungeon can take. Often you are revealing sections of the Dungeon as you progress. There you may find loot, a monster or loot after encountering the monster.
Dungeons have been a staple in games for years, and with good reason. They offer an immersive experience that often follows a consistent format.
Examples of Board Games/Table top Role Play
- Munchkin
- Dungeon Drop
- Dungeon Academy
- Dungeons and Dragons
- Quest Kids
Examples of Video Games
- Minecraft Dungeon
- World Of Warcraft
- Diablo
- Terraria
- Legend of Zelda
What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
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Linda Wrobel 
Stephen Duetzmann