TSR Rob Kuntz Recounts The Origins Of D&D

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In this interesting article from Kotaku, Rob Kuntz relates a history of early TSR that differs somewhat from the narrative we usually hear. It delves into the relationship between Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (D&D's co-creators) and the actual development of the game, which dates back to Arneson in 1971.

Dungeons & Deceptions: The First D&D Players Push Back On The Legend Of Gary Gygax

Everybody calls Rob Kuntz last, he says. Those who want to know about the history of Dungeons & Dragons start with co-creator Gary Gygax’s kids, one of Gygax’s biographers, or D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast. As they’re wrapping things up, they might get around to dialing up Kuntz, a...

kotaku.com

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[darjr]

Thank you man! Looking back I must amend, the story you tell I know in large part because you have been telling it.

Thank you!

 

[Rob Kuntz]

So you want the book, eh? Yes. All those unanswered Q's that I dealt with at DF for years. I will say this that I have my compiled stories of those days (Robilar, et al) and origin stories nearing finish (to be published in partnership, re My company TLS and another (silent) partner/publisher at this time), so you may have to wait rather than me hashing it out as bits here. Maybe choose one of the above or I'd be writing all day here rather than addressing the current subject. Besides (wink) it's already 6:30pm here in France and my stint, for at least today, is going to be shorter than most I fear.

 

[Rob Kuntz]

Hmm must learn the quote function, thought I hit it. The above post was @lowkey13

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Rob Kuntz]

Thank you man! Looking back I must amend, the story you tell I know in large part because you have been telling it.

Thank you!

Well some of it was related in DATG enough just to draw the comparisons and I warned up front in the preface about that, that it wasn't a "hit job" on Gary but that he had to be quoted and/or referenced at specific change points because conflict does not occur in a vacuum. This was not good enough and many were triggered, of course, and now I am the "man grinding an axe" (now adopted into a new comic character/NPC = Hatchet Man).

 

[lkj]

Hmm must learn the quote function, thought I hit it. The above post was @lowkey13

Just hit reply on the post and it will automatically post. That quote thing is for 'multiquote' responses from multiple people.

Totally confused me at first.

AD

 

[Rob Kuntz]

I wouldn't want to deprive you of any book sales! I'd love to hear about Barrier Peaks ... but that's up to you!

But regarding the original article that brought you here- do you think it accurately portrayed your opinions?

90 % of what I wrote and said was not included in the article. The former, last round of e-mail Qs (there were two phone interviews and two barrages of e-mail questions) I posted at my FB page Whether that lends any insight, I dunno. Depends on what one already knows or doesn't know.

Barrier Peaks. I have some followup levels and tech for it as of, erh, 10 years ago. I contrived most if not all of the tech for it for the Origins 2 tournament we ran. I was never paid a red cent for it, BTW, but got a nice big thank you on the FC when it was "upgraded" to AD&D. "So it goes" as Kurt Vonnegut once quoth.

 

[Rob Kuntz]

Just hit reply on the post and it will automatically post. That quote thing is for 'multiquote' responses from multiple people.

Totally confused me at first.

AD

Yes, finally figured that out. Doh!

 

[reelo]

Rather than watch all of the speculation here I decided to join the fray. AMA about those days and the referring article. To start, there are many misconceptions here as based upon published information, but that is not to be wondered at. I'm an open book as I was at DF (11 years) and the PPP forums (6 years??) and at my several blogs and FB page, at convention Q&A's, and in over 200 hours of phone interviews and about 100 hours of documentary sits. -- Rob Kuntz

Hello Rob, tha ks for joining in! I consider myself really lucky to be able to engage in a discussion with the old guard (also on facebook people like Ward, Mentzer etc) thanks to the internet.

My question would be "Do you feel like the Kotaku article misrepresented you in any way, or omitted any statements that you feel should have been included?"