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The combination of the fantasy of David Lance 'Dave' Arneson and the systematic mind of Gary Gygax led to the release of Dungeons & Dragons in January 1974. This gave the opportunity, for the first time, to collectively tell a story, in which players can assume the heroes and protagonists roles. Dungeons & Dragons left an indelible mark on the gaming industry, so much so that even Time magazine dedicated a cover to the game, recognizing it as 'The game that changed the world.'

Since then, fifty years have passed. The world of gaming has changed profoundly, and the cultural revolution of interactive storytelling has had a decisive influence on popular culture. Lucca Comics & Games, which has always embraced and nurtured this cultural revolution, has decided to dedicate two tributes to Dungeons & Dragons.

The first tribute, already announced, is the debut exhibition of the Koder Collection, showcasing original masterpieces by Larry Elmore, Jeff Easley, Clyde Caldwell, Keith Parkinson, Brom and Todd Lockwood. This one-of-a-kind event, titled Gateway to Adventure: 50 Years of D&D Art, will be a unique global exhibition. It will be curated by Jon Peterson, one of the most prominent historians of the game and author of works such as Dungeons and Dragons – Art & Arcana and the remarkable collection of rare documents The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons 1970-1977, published by Wizards of the Coast, as well as by Jessica Lee Patterson. She is an art historian who has been cataloging the collection since 2022. The exhibition will be hosted in the extraordinary and sacred setting of the Chiesa dei Servi, reimagined to create an editorial and artistic journey that also leaves ample room for interactive experiences and gameplay.

Festival attendees will also have the chance to meet Alex Kammer, one of the world’s foremost collectors of D&D manuals and memorabilia, as well as the director of the American gaming event GameHoleCon. Kammer, a game designer and Dungeon Master, will be present to share his passion for Dungeons & Dragons with the role-playing community, revealing tips on how to craft a compelling adventure for D&D. He will also offer an exclusive look behind the scenes at some of the rarest items in his collection, including the Martin Map, the original hand-drawn map of the Forgotten Realms by Ed Greenwood.

As previously discussed, it is time for the world of role-playing games to leave a permanent mark on the city synonymous with gaming. The second tribute will see the municipality of Lucca dedicate the underground area of the Baluardo San Paolino, permanently, to Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, the creators of Dungeons & Dragons. Luke Gygax, son of Gary Gygax, will be present to officiate the dedication of the bastion and to celebrate the golden anniversary of the role-playing game created by his father. As a Dungeon Master, he will personally guide fans through D&D adventures, while also taking time to reminisce about his father and the moments they shared together.

But Luke Gygax won't be the only guest with whom the audience at Lucca Comics & Games can play. Stefan Pokorny, the entrepreneur behind Dwarven Forge (the most renowned modular terrain system for miniatures), will also return. He will be present with his sales booth and will offer fans the opportunity to play games at the Miniature Island in the Carducci Pavilion.

 Dungeons & Dragons, however, is not just about gaming and collecting; it is also an art form. Two notable names who have profoundly shaped the visual evolution of the role-playing game will be present: Tyler Jacobson and Erol Otus. Jacobson, perhaps the most representative artist of the 5th Edition, is the creator of the covers for the new core rulebooks (Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual) as well as many others. Otus's art has made the early editions of both D&D and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons iconic, and he has recently produced cover art for Old School Essentials. 

Troy Denning makes a comeback to the, a prolific and renowned D&D writer who was a Guest of Honor at Lucca Games in 2007. Denning is the author who developed and enriched the Dark Sun setting for AD&D, illustrated by Gerald Brom, one of the three founding fathers of the Performance Area at Lucca Comics & Games. Denning will meet fans in Lucca and conduct a seminar/workshop revealing the secrets of world-building.