MacDnD is a fun, interactive storytelling online experience that utilizes role-playing games (RPGs) as a vehicle to help children (8 and up) and teens stretch their imagination, increase their creative capacity, and confidently express themselves. Mac Duffy expertly guides Players in a safe, centered, meaningful experience that empowers them to trust their unique perspective, practice important life skills, and build friendships with other Players.
Mac’s Mission
Mac Duffy combines Mr. Rogers’ kindness and care with Robin Williams’ energy and versatility. He is the narrator, mentor, cheerleader, referee and the voice of whole cast of characters and creatures! But before the game even starts, Mac is an expert world builder who tailors the details of the game narrative and its world to the goals and requirements of his Players and their parent/guardians.
More than just a game, MacDnD is an opportunity for Players to learn and practice performance and life skills under the guidance of an Actor and Creative Confidence Coach with extensive training and experience as an interactive storyteller, improviser, camp leader, children’s theatre director, and performing arts teacher.
Mac’s mission is to create and present a fluid framework that gives each Player permission to try new things in the game and help shape the story. The rules and structure of the game serve as guidelines that Mac can modify in the moment to give Players ample room to play, be creative, and act true to their characters and themselves - while also giving them opportunities to practice important social skills as they must take into consideration the wants and needs of their fellow Players.
What Is An RPG?
A role-playing game is a collective storytelling game where players take on the role of a character they have created and interact with a fictional world and narrative as described and orchestrated by a “Game Master” (GM). Games may last one session, featuring one single adventure for Players. Or they may last many sessions and cover a multifaceted series of quests and side quests.
Length of Sessions: 2 to 4 hours long
Amount of Players: Ideally, 3 to 5
Age-range of Players: 8 & Up
Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)
D&D is the oldest and most well-known RPG, in which Players form a Party of protagonists who must use their unique abilities to achieve goals or solve problems presented by the “Dungeon Master” (DM) (the same as a GM, but with a cooler title). The success or failure of each Player’s actions is usually determined by random probability, in the form of dice rolling, to promote fairness and spice up the game with an element of the unknown.
Where Do Players Meet to Play?
MacDnD Roll20.net Game Pic
MacDnD is primarily offered online via a Virtual Tabletop called Roll20. It is web-based, so anyone can play from any computer or tablet with a browser. Players simply sign up for a Free Roll20 Account, and then Mac will invite them into the game he has created for them.
What Sets MacDnD Apart?
It Enhances Creativity
MacDnD is a highly unique experience that provides many far-reaching benefits for its Players. Mac brings his extensive training and experience as a performing arts coach to teach Players and help them hone a variety of creative skills. Throughout the game, Mac weaves in lessons and practice opportunities in: Acting, Character Creation, Character Voices & Dialects, Creative Writing, Improvisation, Painting a Picture with Words, Public Speaking, and Storytelling.
It Builds Confidence
Mac also offers a unique form of creative confidence coaching for his Players. As Players role-play their characters and face various challenges, Mac teaches them how to embrace their unique creative spirit and build their confidence. Players are given (and even get to choose) their own individual goals to work toward (such as leveling up an ability or solving a personal mystery), as well as overarching goals the whole party of Players must work together to achieve (saving a town, making it safely through a dungeon, etc.).
It Hones Life Skills
MacDnD provides a means through which children can have a really fun and positive experience while practicing a wide variety of useful life skills, including Active Listening, Adaptability, Cooperation, Effective Communication, Critical Thinking, Creative Problem Solving, Empathy, Leadership, Self-confidence, “Turning Lemons into Lemonade,” and much more.
Further Player Benefits
Freedom to Fly
MacDnD is a safe space for children to be and do and think and create freely - without judgement or expectation based on who they are, where they are from or what they may look like. Mac shows everyone that they all bring something wonderful to the table just by being themselves. Players create their characters, so they may role-play as whomever they wish. Mac provides information and guidance, but the Players decide their character’s backstory, thoughts, feelings, goals and motivations.
Freedom to Flex
Mac utilizes the game rules to create a cohesive environment within which to begin to play and explore, but he also allows for a lot of “wiggle room,” and changes details as needed to honor a Player’s ingenuity or to generally enhance the experience for all the Players. Players have plenty of room and encouragement to step outside their comfort zones, if that is what they want to do. One of the perks of MacDnD is that, in this collaborative and supportive environment, a Player will often try something as their character that they might not feel ready or able to try themselves in real life. It’s quite a thrill to watch an initially shy Player boldly challenge a dragon!
Freedom from Fear
Mac’s games are always family-friendly, but he still checks in with parent/guardians and Players before the game starts to learn preferred parameters regarding content. Depending on the age range of Players, Mac’s games can be modified to range in intensity from a Paw Patrol adventure to the Harry Potter films.
Freedom to “Fail”
In D&D, the lowest roll you can make is a “Natural (or Nat) 1.” When you roll a Nat 1 while attacking or attempting a task, you automatically fail in such a significant way that it is typically described as an “epic failure” or “epic fail.” In Mac’s games, he encourages Players to celebrate epic fails and see a Nat 1 as a gift that might propel the story in an unexpected and fun direction.
For example, in a recent game, a Player rolled a Nat 1 as she was attempting to jump over a hole. Mac asked her to describe what her epic fail looked like, and her description of how she tripped and spun around was so fun and creative, Mac rewarded her by having her fall straight through the secret door that the Party would have otherwise missed. In that room was some pretty great treasure, so the whole party was thrilled that she rolled a Nat 1!
Freedom to Find Their Way
MacDnD is also a safe haven for kids who are maybe extra sensitive or even a bit neurodivergent. Mac talks with parent/guardians before the game starts to learn what each child might need, so that, during the game, he can help them manage their expectations and behaviors.
For example, if a Player has a hard time with impulse control, Mac will help them understand the need and benefits of taking turns, raising their hands before speaking, etc. And he gives them room and encouragement to be in a state of practice so that they do not feel as though they have to get it right “or else.” In MacDnD, it’s the intention that’s most important, not perfection.
As the sessions proceed, Mac will continue to check in with Players and their parent/guardians to make sure we are all on the same page and can modify things as needed.
Recent Parent Reviews for MacDnD
Hi Mac! I wanted to thank you for a very special and super - duper fun D&D experience today! Olive said it was just great! My dad came downstairs and was able to experience the girls playing the game with you and he said he was just amazed by your energy and your patience and how engaged you had gotten the kids.
~ Jaime Kalman-Chipko
Thank you so much for running this glorious campaign for our girls Mac! Allowing them a safe space to stretch their imaginations. It’s very much needed especially for Viola as she moves on to middle school and everything becomes a little more serious and high stakes. I want her to learn how to hold on to and guard that creative sense of self. Have a lovely weekend with your family!
~ Tami Stover
This is an awesome immersive storytelling fantasy game that fully engages the imagination and reinforces positive social interaction.
~ Serene’s Dad, Eric
Mac is a patient, fun, very knowledgeable, great storyteller, creative, exciting, encouraging, enthusiastic, and a kid at heart. MacDnD is an engaging adventure game that takes participants on a fantastical journey across a make believe world where they will exercise their creativity, imagination, problem solving skills, story telling skills, all the while having lots of fun.
~ Arame’s Mom, Stephanie
For More info and to Book a Game for Your Kids
If you are interested in learning more or would like Mac to create and run a game for your kids or teens, please fill out the following form.
We look forward to hearing from you!