D&D General The First Demise of TSR: Gygax's Folly

[Warren]

There were actually pretty successful. Which makes the story even more of a tragedy. A couple years ago I was rereading mine and made a FB comment about how I really liked at the back of them, they had D&D stats for characters. Jeff Grubb and James Lowder said that almost didn't happen. They had to convince them to include those.

Trying to loophole around DC is just another example of how TSR leadership royally screwed up.

Sad. The Ben Riggs excerpt talks about the potential comic-movie pipeline, which is probably wishful thinking, but they were fun stories and having the stats in the back was fun. This could have easily morphed into modules or campaign setting products.

 

[Azzy]

Did Gygax come up with the original AD&D psionics? Those were points based. Or did that not count?

I think psionics was Brian Blume's baby, but I could be mistaken. @Snarf Zagyg probably knows better.

 

[Mannahnin]

I think psionics was Brian Blume's baby, but I could be mistaken. @Snarf Zagyg probably knows better.

I'm not recalling any specifics of whose baby it was at the moment, but they did originate in OD&D supplement III Eldritch Wizardry, which is officially credited to Gary and to Brian Blume.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I'm not recalling any specifics of whose baby it was at the moment, but they did originate in OD&D supplement III Eldritch Wizardry, which is officially credited to Gary and to Brian Blume.

Yep!

Gygax repeatedly stated that he regretted including them, and claimed he never used psionics at his home table.

IIRC, there was originally going to be a psionic class but the abilities were spread out to other classes instead in Eldritch Wizardry. I don't know who made the original rules ... but I do know that Blume pushed hard for them, yet the implementation and wording is very Gygaxian.

Bonus fact- the reason psionics were included in the 1e PHB (appendix) was because Blume insisted Gygax do so.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Yep!

Gygax repeatedly stated that he regretted including them, and claimed he never used psionics at his home table.

IIRC, there was originally going to be a psionic class but the abilities were spread out to other classes instead in Eldritch Wizardry. I don't know who made the original rules ... but I do know that Blume pushed hard for them, yet the implementation and wording is very Gygaxian.

Bonus fact- the reason psionics were included in the 1e PHB (appendix) was because Blume insisted Gygax do so.

Tim Kask has said the rules are in the PHB are because of him. He has stated several times that he didn't like how monsters got psionics but players couldn't. That it wasn't fair to players and was just a way for DMs to defeat PCs with no way for players to counter it.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Tim Kask has said the rules are in the PHB are because of him. He has stated several times that he didn't like how monsters got psionics but players couldn't. That it wasn't fair to players and was just a way for DMs to defeat PCs with no way for players to counter it.

I could believe that as well. That's the trouble with conflicting oral accounts- we can't be sure. Honestly, maybe Kask did that, and Blume also insisted separately, and both believe they are the reason.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I could believe that as well. That's the trouble with conflicting oral accounts- we can't be sure. Honestly, maybe Kask did that, and Blume also insisted separately, and both believe they are the reason.

This is true. However, one has a good reputation and credibility, and the other? Not so much...

 

[billd91]

This is true. However, one has a good reputation and credibility, and the other? Not so much...

Brian Blume's business acumen and reputation as a businessman have been questioned. I don't recall anyone questioning his personal credibility. In fact, I thought it was clear from the podcast that most people considered Brian a decent guy who just wanted to game.

 

[Mournblade94]

I collected all of the DC/TSR comic lines, and was bummed when they stopped. I still have them all. At the time (I was a kid) I assumed it was from low sales. Is there any detail on how successful they were?

I had them and I couldn't find them in any comic box I have

I'm going to order all the trades but I'm holding on to money for my Disney World Trip at the moment.

 

[James Gasik]

The D&D comics were awesome, especially with how well they handled notable characters (Alias having to defend the credibility of her infamous armor- "it's enchanted." "Oh I'm sure it is!", and so on) while having an interesting cast- how often do you see a single-classed Dwarven Thief? A Halruaan Wizard? A Paladin who lost their powers and regained them? A sentient Golem?

Not to mention the deep dives into D&D lore, like the whole Hand of Vaprak affair? I bet most players these days couldn't tell you who Vaprak even is, lol.