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

 

[billd91]

Notably, Deep Space Nine is also the most Queer Star Trek.

You haven’t watched Discovery.

 

[CleverNickName]

Theoretically. But actually?

Remember, an apology contains three parts: I'm sorry, here's what I did wrong, and why it was wrong, and here's what I'll do to make it better.

A material act is in order - like a verifiable sizable donation to the Trevor Project or other decent trans-supporting charity, or some other act to actually make it better.

You are right, this is just more deflection. I edited my earlier post.

 

[Umbran]

I'm pretty sure it's not. HIPAA applies to health care providers, not to employers in general.

Business associates are a covered entity for the Privacy Rule.

No, your employer may NOT just hand out your healthcare information willy-nilly. There are a few cases in which they don't need your express permission, but "to score points on the internet" is not one of those cases.

 

[billd91]

Business associates are a covered entity for the Privacy Rule.

No, your employer may NOT just hand out your healthcare information willy-nilly. There are a few cases in which they don't need your express permission, but "to score points on the internet" is not one of those cases.

They have to be business associates of a health care organization to be covered by HIPAA. Being someone's employer and providing health insurance as a benefit isn't enough to involve HIPAA.
The ADA protects the privacy of an employee's health information in an employer/employee relationship.

 

[This Effin’ GM]

They have to be business associates of a health care organization to be covered by HIPAA. Being someone's employer and providing health insurance as a benefit isn't enough to involve HIPAA.
The ADA protects the privacy of an employee's health information in an employer/employee relationship.

I teach Hipaa for a hospital for a living, this is basically correct. A non health care related business (providers and vendors) are not bound by these laws, save for the health care specialists in hr (who are really the only ones you need to disclose certain healthcare related items to).

Telling a supervisor or coworker about your medical status when not working in one of these institutions wouldn’t be covered. Poor taste if they shared it but not technically illegal.

 

[Umbran]

The ADA protects the privacy of an employee's health information in an employer/employee relationship.

Sorry. You are correct. I used to work for a company that handled healthcare information, such that we considered everyone in the building as a business associate, and the various trainings I got bleed together after several years.

 

[This Effin’ GM]

Sorry. You are correct. I used to work for a company that handled healthcare information, and the various trainings I got bleed together after several years.

My brain melts thinking about it all sometimes

 

[loverdrive]

In the vast sea of Twitter, that is not the only tweet. I guess, you only see what you want. Not the nastiness that got Ernie to close his Twitter account just to save his sanity from the constant negative barrage his account received.

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

Well, so don't do stupid things that rightfully makes you ostracized, and when you do — apologize and improve, not spit out more hateful comments. It's easy.

 

[Al'Kelhar]

Dance! Dance like nobody is watching!

But also, please record it, upload it, and link it here.

Thaumaturge.

See, every so often, my faith in humanity is restored. For at least 3 minutes and 33 seconds.

 

[billd91]

Sorry. You are correct. I used to work for a company that handled healthcare information, such that we considered everyone in the building as a business associate, and the various trainings I got bleed together after several years.

Being careful with personal information, whether medical or other identifying information, is a best practice all around. Then you don't have to worry about what specific regulations or legislation covers it.