D&D General Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast the First Magic Missile: Why Gygax Still Matters to Me

[jolt]

if you are hearing it for the 100th time, maybe there is something to it

I have very mixed feelings about that. Many people will jump on a bandwagon for no other reason than they can. I remember from decades ago when the, "Our rivers are filled with dihydrogen monoxide! The government knows and they aren't doing anything about it!" was going around and drew hundreds of thousands of angry responses before it was pointed out that it's just water. Not that this is necessarily happening here, but complaining is easy and people love to do it.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

In spite of Cyborg Commando, I always respected him for being the creator of D&D only learning much later that others deserve credit later.

This brings up two slightly related issues-

I love Gygax's words (High Gygaxian) in the old D&D products. But the Gord novels? The first one is ... okay. The others vary in quality (IMO) from dire to unreadable.

Second, I think either the Hollywood time, or age, or the evolution of the hobby broke something in Gygax. Cyborg Commando was godawful. His plans for a 2e were ... well, I would say that, to quote Gygax, "the antithesis of weal." For a decade, he was arguably the most creative force in the hobby- even putting aside the fact that he brought D&D to life. Afterwards? Eh....

 

[payn]

I have very mixed feelings about that. Many people will jump on a bandwagon for no other reason than they can. I remember from decades ago when the, "Our rivers are filled with dihydrogen monoxide! The government knows and they aren't doing anything about it!" was going around and drew hundreds of thousands of angry responses before it was pointed out that it's just water. Not that this is necessarily happening here, but complaining is easy and people love to do it.

False equivalency.

 

[Scribe]

Second, I think either the Hollywood time, or age, or the evolution of the hobby broke something in Gygax. Cyborg Commando was godawful. His plans for a 2e were ... well, I would say that, to quote Gygax, "the antithesis of weal." For a decade, he was arguably the most creative force in the hobby- even putting aside the fact that he brought D&D to life. Afterwards? Eh....

I immediately think of 2 paraphrased quotes.

"Its hard to get out and do road work when you are sleeping in silk sheets."

"Guns and Roses sucks, they need to go back to pumping gas and singing about chicks."

 

[mamba]

I have very mixed feelings about that. Many people will jump on a bandwagon for no other reason than they can.

easier today than in the 70s, and we have a lot of what Gygax said and wrote to make a case here, it is not just idle speculation based on what some other people claimed about him

 

[MGibster]

Second, I think either the Hollywood time, or age, or the evolution of the hobby broke something in Gygax. Cyborg Commando was godawful. His plans for a 2e were ... well, I would say that, to quote Gygax, "the antithesis of weal." For a decade, he was arguably the most creative force in the hobby- even putting aside the fact that he brought D&D to life. Afterwards? Eh....

Harper Lee only had one good book in her, but it was a hell of a book. Gygax and and everyone else really managed to catch lightning in a bottle. In 1974, who would have thought we'd still be playing D&D in the 2020s when we'd have flying cars and our meals came in pill form?

 

[Micah Sweet]

Harper Lee only had one good book in her, but it was a hell of a book. Gygax and and everyone else really managed to catch lightning in a bottle. In 1974, who would have thought we'd still be playing D&D in the 2020s when we'd have flying cars and our meals came in pill form?

Don't forget our silver jumpsuits and subdermal trackers!

 

[Bayushi_seikuro]

Am I the only one whose AI detector just went off?

Nah, that's just Snarf being Snarf

 

[Bayushi_seikuro]

I can’t take credit for this, as I read it elsewhere, but I think it is applicable here.

There have been a number of discussions lately trying to label people or companies (Gygax is sexist, WotC is evil, stupid, etc.). Rather than try to come to a conclusion, it can be better to simply describe actions.

Gary said sexist things. On multiple occasions. Over a period of many years. He also left really good impressions on may people who met or interacted with him at conventions or elsewhere. Others have had good and poor impressions from post he made on this board. There’s no need to “figure out” who he really was. Assuming the accounts are basically accurate, we are left with contradictions and complexity. Ultimately our actions are what others are left with. We cannot hope to understand what anyone is “really” thinking or feeling.

I'm reminded of something I once saw on Ronald Reagan, and they said he was the kindest man, who would literally help someone out, give them the shirt off his back... and then turn around and sign a bill increasing punishments for homelessness.

We all are complex, and capable of being good, bad, AND indifferent

 

[Bayushi_seikuro]

I just wanted to followup, since I noticed you haven't posted since. I can appreciate that if English isn't your native language, you might use an AI assist. I certainly wouldn't criticize that.

If I can make a suggestion? I would recommend using AI to assist you, but not to use it to generate longer essays, simply because it feels weird.

I hope you continue to post here!

AI will never replace our Snarf. I won't let it....

Now THAT should be the basis of the next Terminator remake.