Q&A with Gary Gygax - Part I

[gordonknox]

How would you characterize your relationship with Necromancer Games?

Are there plans for future collaborations with those folks?

gk

[PA]

Originally posted by Kershek
I'm going to have nightmares about that photo tonight.

And so will I. This Eric Noah guy has no sense of decency.

[PA]

Originally posted by Nightfall
If I offer you a blood sacrifice and get 50 copies of Necropolis, will do write for S&SS's Scarred Lands?

I'm sure it would depend on WHOSE blood it is. But let's not advertize the fact...

[Dark Psion]

Can you explain the addition of Psionics in the AD&D Players Handbook (1st edition)?
It seemed added on and thrown together.

[Deedlit]

Who is the parent who Hextor and Heironeous share.

[MerricB]

What do you think will be the future of RPGs in general, and d20 in particular?

What do you think about Dave Arneson's re-entry into RPG publishing, especially the "For too long the game industry has been mired in mediocrity, Blackmoor will burn a new path in creativity and ingenuity as it did when it served as the origin of role playing games" quotation?

Cheers!

[sword-dancer]

Mr Gygax

What inspired you to create roleplaying?

[Col_Pladoh]

Originally posted by Roland Delacroix
"Where do you get your ideas from."

This is an easy one, so don't pist it when I chat:

Jack Chick.

Gary

[Col_Pladoh]

Originally posted by Henry
What are your current d20 projects that we would be ignorant if we didn't pick up; and secondly, what can you tell us about that we should be looking toward in the 4th quarter of 2002 and the 1st quarter of 2003?

You likely have seen NECROPOLIS from Necromancer. I am considering doing a sequel to it--if I can find some maps and notes. That's something that will be decided late this year or early next.

Mongoose has released SLATER'S GUIDE TO DRAGONS, Jon Creffield and I have also turned in SLAYER'S GUIDE TO UNDEAD. I am considering the possibilities for another project sometime in 2003.

Troll Lord Games released my module, THE HERMIT, at GenCon. Before that they did the CANTING CREW. A super module, THE HALL OF MANY PANES, is slated for turnover to them sometime in the early fall, with Jon Creffield doing the D20 work. I don't think the HALL' is like any other module ever done, and I am most interested in hearing the feedback when it hist late this year or early next. Of course, CANTING CREW is the first of a series of reference books for world building. Coming soon is the WORLD BUILDER, a "descriptionary." I'll be turning over the ms. for the next one that deals with social classes, everyday life, etc. soon. After than at least thrtee more are planned to complete the "Gygaxian" Fantasy World series. Check the TLG website

Chris Clark and I are working (still) on CASTLE WOLDMOON, whicjh will be D20 with LA game stats also. It is very much an "old school" adventure module--a mix of thinking, exploration, problem solving with much combat in between those elements. The work has turned out to be so extensive that how to publish it is the main question--three installments or maybe four. I don't know for sure when this is going to get into print, late this year or next.

Although not D20, I am considering a project with Kenzer for HACKMASTER. I have an idea or two I'm mulling over. If I decide to go forward with this effort, it will commence in the winter.

I think that's it. I don't want to take on a lot of new projects, as I expect that in 2003 I'll be spending a fair amount of time working with the online developers as the LEJENDARY ADVENTURE MMPORPG gets into alpha and then closed beta test.

Gary

[Col_Pladoh]

Originally posted by mythusmage
It took you how long to memorize the Oxford?

Is it true you're allergic to Strunk's Elements of Style

I'm still working on the Webster's Unexpurgated, Alan.

It is true, as I prefer to have my own style as opposed to that promulgated by someone who can't do so trys to tell other's how they should write :rolleyes:

Gary

[Col_Pladoh]

Originally posted by Maraxle
Would you like my autograph?

Depends on how large the sum of money on the check is, and if it is good.



Gary

[Col_Pladoh]

Originally posted by Kershek
Do you still game? If so, what system and how often? Are you the DM?

Yes, I run a weekly campaign of the LEJENDARY ADVENTURE system here, and I am the "Lejend Master"

Of course now and then I do DM some OD&D or AD&D too. When Fast Forward publishes the supplement for bringing muitant humans into the METAMORPHOSIS ALPHA game. I intend to get one of the players in our group to GM a campaign of that game so I can play a character at lreast once a month--I miss playing!

Gary

[Col_Pladoh]

Originally posted by Harlock
Are you related to the Gary character from the movie "Weird Science"?

If you could change one thing about your life, would Dave Arneson be dead?

Who is your favorite game designer? Other than yourself, you egomanical old man!

First, I suspect thay character was likely based off of someone more like you.

Second, what a rude fellow you are. Of course I wish no ill whatsoever to Dave! As an aside, I don't waste time recriminating, let alone considering the immutable past.

Third, as you don't know me in the least, your characterization is pathetic. More importantly, as you fail to indicate what sort of game, I can not possibly attempt an answer,

Gary

[sword-dancer]

A question from Midgard forum

"Do you know Midgard? If yes, what are you thinking about it?"

Midgard is the oldest german fantasy rpg

[Col_Pladoh]

Originally posted by Neo
Lets see...

Which one of your creations do you yourself consider your greatest work?

Who of the new batch of creative whizz's would you most like to work with?

Is there a product for d20 that someone else did, that you wished you had created yourself?

Can we clone you to ensure future generations fo Gamers get to enjoy your work as much as we have?

What one thing would you have done differently in your career looking back now in hindsight?

What advice would you give to aspiring freelancers?

What genre or specific setting that is out there, would you most like to see converted to D20?

What piece of advice would you give to Wizards regarding thier approach to D20 and its marketing as a longterm gamer and creator?

Erm there you go off the top of my noggin....

Okay, and that's quite a laundry list

As with children, picking favorites is not my style. I can say that I had a lot of fun writing all the RPGs that I've done, and that the modules are a lot of work but they too were enjoyable. In all, I have a number of historical games that I really like a lot and would love to see published and played. Think of it this way: I am a hardcore gamer, and I like to create and play games. The project I am working on or the game I am playing at the moment is the *current* favorite.

As for working with co-writers, and I have worked with quite a few, familiarity is a key factor. That said, I find that working with Jon Creffield of late is indeed very much a pleasure.

It is not possible for me to produce as much as I do and spend a lot of time reviewing other author's work, so I can't comment. Fact is I don't get the time I wish I could to read fiction. Not all work and no play, but close...

As for cloning, heh! I'd do that now to get to more of the ideas I have were it possible. What I hope will happen, though, is that some of the gamers who have read and played my material, or who have worked with me in creating such work, will come to the fore in due course with their own excellent work, some of which will possibly reflect some of my style.

As noted, I dn't spend time or energy tinking about the past, what could have been changed. However, I try not to make the same mistakes over and over...

Aspring freelancers: Work for love, not money. If you enjoy the effort, love gaming, then that will cme through in your writing. To break into the field, figure on a lot of material being published on a gratis basis, and be sure yo produce plenty to as yo become known. Writing modules for convention tournament play is a great way of building a "name," of course.

No comment on D20 conversions, sorry.

As for advice to WotC. I don't think they need any in regards the D20 system. However, in regards to the new D&D one, I believe that there is a question of "legs" for many new players, because as things stand the game allows too rapid level increase. There's more, but if Hasbro wants consulting, they'll cntract for it

Gary