Parmandur
Book-Friend, he/him
I think everyone involved could have been treated better, and could have behaved better.Normally I agree, an idea is a dime a dozen. Execution is everything.
Sometimes though there truly are unique mind bending ideas. I think the synthesis Dave did is one of those.
After that? I do think he was treated badly and could have done more, could have been great paired with a writer and editor and game developer.
I do agree that Gary deserves his credit too. Recognizing and executing on the idea is no small feat.
Finally though I think that they also both get too much credit. D&D turns out to be bigger than both of them and I do think they were both lucky too.
Both Arneson and Gygax in their own way did a lot to dig their own graves.