Fans of the tabletop role playing game Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) will be able to find new friends easier with a new app coming to Atlanta later this year from queer app developer Rachel Dove.
Dungeons Not Dating is a first-of-its-kind platform connecting D&D players across the country through shared values, play styles, and creative interests. The character-forward platform is designed to make D&D more accessible for all people – especially marginalized folks.
“For folks who are people of color, neurodiverse, or queer, oftentimes they’re looking for a group that’s going to be relatable to them, or at the very least they want people who are going to respect them, not just tolerate them,” Dove told Georgia Voice. “…Finding a group online can be scary and dangerous.”
Users will create their character or dungeon master profile with information about their character type, play styles, and D&D needs. Then, like on dating apps like Tinder or Hinge, they’ll swipe on other users. The app is for ages 12 and up; minors will be blocked from adults and vice versa, and all users will be shown profiles of people within 10 years of their own age.
To enable users to find like-minded players, Dungeons Not Dating profiles will also include political values like feminism, Black Lives Matter, or LGBTQ+ rights, as well as personal interests and hobbies. Because D&D is a beloved safe space for many LGBTQ+ people, Dove says she wanted to ensure that this kind of community has as few barriers to entry as possible.
“It was very hard [for me as a queer woman] to overcome the imposter syndrome and feel like I belonged anywhere until I found Dungeons and Dragons,” she said. “…I just realized how lifesaving having that community and that sense of belonging can be and what it did for my own sense of self-worth and confidence. I wanted to be able to facilitate that for other people, to help other people find meaningful connection through this weird, magical game.”
Dungeons Not Dating launched for beta testing in January 2025 and garnered around 8,000 users. The app will be relaunching later this year – Dove says likely in Q2 – with updates based on user feedback. Matches will not be limited by location; users can match with anyone across the country for online play. However, Dove says she hopes to roll out in-person options in the future in major cities, including Atlanta.
To join the wait list and be notified when Dungeons Not Dating is available for download, visit dungeonsnotdating.com/waitlist.
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