TSR TSR3 Blames Widespread Pushback On WotC

In an unexpected turn of events, the primary individuals behind TSR3 have claimed the pushback they've received on social media and elsewhere was orchestrated by .... D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast (a company which has thus far remained completely silent on recent events).

TSR3 is run by Justin LaNasa, Stephen Dinehart, and Ernie Gygax. The controversy has been raging for over a week, since TSR3 announced itself with a press release.

TSR - Companies & Freelancers Distance Themselves From The New TSR

The new TSR (which I refer to as TSR3 to avoid confusion) has doubled down on its stance--which has been widely condemned online--via an ongoing series of tweets and replies from its TSR Games, Giantlands, and Dungeon Hobby Museum social media accounts (possibly operated by Justin LaNasa) in an...

www.enworld.org

Stephen Dinehart and Ernie Gygax have since deactivated their Twitter accounts; Justin LaNasa doesn't appear to have one, but it is believed he is the person operating TSR3's Twitter account. A couple of days ago, Ernie Gygax posted about recent events on Facebook (note that he edited the post, but the original can be seen here).

I wish to state in the strongest terms that I never meant to hurt anyone of any race, creed or color. My video From the Bunker caused some to feel that they would not be welcome or would be looked down upon. That was never the intent, I was reacting to focus of modern role play into a more background and Role Play rather than the wargame that so made so many lives happy over 40 years ago.

As a gamer it meant that most of us were not worthy of any attention from others of our own age. We were Nerds. We were brainy-acks and others would snicker. Older classmen would ask to "borrow" something of ours to then pass back and forth a game of keep away. I used to receive some special attention from about 4 Juniors in my Freshman year. I played the Violin and often I began to wish that I had Super Powers, perhaps become a Giant.. I was far to shy and then embarrassed as attractive ladies would just lower the eyes while the jocks or other socially vibrant fellows had some fun at another geeky nerds expense. Thank goodness I grew 4 inches my junior year.

The only real comfort zone we all could share was a table in the lunch room. At least the fledgling TSR found fertile minds in those who had only those like us - gamers. Rather than have to risk embarrassing myself, since Phy Ed was going to force us to dance with those wonderful and yet scary girls. Well to get my Diploma I had to slave for a month to Mr. Gerber the head of the Phy Ed department. Fortunately I knew all about janitorial work as before D&D and TSR dad only made $5,000 as a Cobbler (five children) and we had food stamps and even free school lunches. Yes you had to go to the councilors office every week to collect your free lunch passes. Obviously you could feel all the eyes on you and the talk about....

Everyone has been welcome at my gaming table and multitudes of new friends have been created by the time spent playing the games we Love. Look at pictures of gaming on my site or anywhere I run games. Everyone is welcome, just like a Boot Hill game leave your guns at the bar until you leave town. If you come to the Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum Jeff R. Leason will show you courtesy and a smile and you will see that gaming with elder gamers is a safe and entertaining environment.

TSR - Ernie Gygax on New TSR, WotC Beefs, Trademarks, Licensees, 5E, & More

A YouTube channel, 'Live From the Bunker', interviewed Ernie Gygax about the new TSR. I've watched and decided to try to transcribe the most relevant parts of it, but the full hour-long video is below if you want to see the whole interview and full context. Ernie Gygax is one of D&D...

www.enworld.org

 

[Gradine]

Psychologists all agree a constant negative barrage, especially from a crowd leaves the victim isolated and vulnerable and at risk of harm.

If you think the criticism he faced was "damaging to his mental health" wait til you get a load of what it's like to be a trans woman on the internet.

 

[Mannahnin]

That was answered that in civilized socities, the legal authorities will review all the hate that Ernie Gygax received on Twitter, especially if he comes to any harm. And the Twitter uses who are traced to have been party to that online violence will answer to the law, not to yet another vigilante crowd.

There are no vigilante crowds involved. All the folks who have disagreed with Ernie seem to be conducting themselves peacefully.

As opposed to the real bullies that Ernie, and no doubt many of them, experienced harm from when they were younger.

 

[imagineGod]

Psychologists also agree that there are people who seek this type of attention as a form of validation. Therapists agree that there are coping mechanisms and behavioral practices one can institute to avoid or reduce this type of “negative barrage”.

That is true what you say.

But neither does it absolve the crowd who engaged in cyber bullying of that line individual.

Emotional crowd outrage a line individual is a mental assault, every psychologist will lean that way. Few will say the crowd attacks upon an individual is positive social behavior.

 

[Bolares]

They don't even have twitter accounts to be cyber bullied

 

[PsyzhranV2]

Is this the second or third thread were people are falling for the same bait arguments from the same person?

I think it's the third time (or maybe even the fourth), but the bait is written pretentiously enough that a newcomer to the conversation might mistake it as an actually cogent argument. We can't let that nonsense have free reign of the discussion.

 

[dave2008]

Cyberbully do not require physical torches, because cyber is the online sphere.

Cyberbullying is not just one comment. It is a sustained attack. Comparing the statements from multiple Twitter accounts all targeting Ernie Gygax pushes holding people to account to bullying people off social media.

Holding people to account would be a thoughtful essay on a Gamez Magazine picking apart what Ernie said and why he was wrong.

Emotional crowd dog-piling is not that.

Of course he could have diffused it all with a real apology.

 

[imagineGod]

There are no vigilante crowds involved. All the folks who have disagreed with Ernie seem to be conducting themselves peacefully.

As opposed to the real bullies that Ernie, and no doubt many of them, experienced harm from when they were younger.

There are many folk who are peaceful and called Ernie out without a falling into outrage..

But there are also many on Twitter who did not behave thoughtful. They formed an incessant online assault upon Ernie's mental and emotional well being.

Ernie Gygax had to leave Twitter for his own safety.

 

[Disgruntled Hobbit]

Yeah dude. constantly calling someone an aberration to nature (what they've done) doesn't hurt anyone, but calling someone a bigot for saying that is driving them to a mental breakdown. do you even hear yourself?

Two wrongs make a right?

Ernie was wrong and I strongly disagree with his opinions and beliefs
I support the people who decided not to work with TSR3 and will be more likely to buy their products in the future
But that doesn't mean I approve of the treatment of Ernie

Why let yourself be dragged down to the same level as the bigots?
Love is wise; hatred is foolish

 

[CleverNickName]

Well, it's not just this either. The inner circle of these guys? Ernie, Justin, Dinehart, and the rest? These are a group of people who have said, publicly on forums or twitter, comments like:
(snip)

Exactly. EXACTLY.

And they keep saying this stuff online, while trying to represent a company. They aren't doing this accidentally; this isn't a butt-dial or an autocorrect error. They are deliberately taking the time to actually write this stuff out, letter by letter, and post it on social media for all the world to see, for all time. They are demonstrating not only their moral failings and bigotry, but also a profound lack of professionalism, maturity, and stability.

They have no excuse for this unacceptable behavior, and they deserve every bit of criticism and every consequence that comes their way. I don't feel sorry for them.

 

[imagineGod]

Of course he could have diffused it all with a real apology.

True and you are perfect right about a proper apology.

That does not excuse the online attacks that drove Ernie to stay safe by having to abandon Twitter.