Dungeons & Dragons is a game.
Dungeons & Dragons ( abbreviated as D&D or DnD ) is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game ( RPG ) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson , and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules , Inc. ( TSR ) . D&D publication is commonly recognized as the beginning of modern role-playing games and the role-playing game industry . A Dungeon Master serves as the game 's referee and storyteller , while maintaining the setting in which the adventures occur and playing the role of the inhabitants .