I think you're taking hyperbole too seriously.
Bullgrit says that he "cheated, faked, hand-waved, made up stuff, and even re-mapped the dungeon on the fly" and was "completely dishonest". But I don't see any "dishonesty" other than the handwaving, making up of stuff and re-mapping. Combat dies rolls - the overwhelmingly salient means of action resolution in D&D - were rolled upfront.
As I read it, the "dishonesty" or "cheating" that Bullgrit is referring to is the adjustment of the scenario, on the fly, to suit the perceived dramatic needs of the game. In many RPGs, this isn't "cheating" but a standard part of the GM's repertoire. Given that there is no reason to think the participants had any expectations as to how D&D may or may not resemble those other RPGs, I don't see the breach of contract.
It would be different if everyone had agreed to play Gygaxian or Pulsiferian, exploration heavy, AD&D. But I don't see any evidence of that. And when a newbie signs up for a game of D&D, I don't believe that they are therefore, by default, signing up for a game in the Gygaxian or Puslierian style.
Bullgrit says that he "cheated, faked, hand-waved, made up stuff, and even re-mapped the dungeon on the fly" and was "completely dishonest". But I don't see any "dishonesty" other than the handwaving, making up of stuff and re-mapping. Combat dies rolls - the overwhelmingly salient means of action resolution in D&D - were rolled upfront.
As I read it, the "dishonesty" or "cheating" that Bullgrit is referring to is the adjustment of the scenario, on the fly, to suit the perceived dramatic needs of the game. In many RPGs, this isn't "cheating" but a standard part of the GM's repertoire. Given that there is no reason to think the participants had any expectations as to how D&D may or may not resemble those other RPGs, I don't see the breach of contract.
It would be different if everyone had agreed to play Gygaxian or Pulsiferian, exploration heavy, AD&D. But I don't see any evidence of that. And when a newbie signs up for a game of D&D, I don't believe that they are therefore, by default, signing up for a game in the Gygaxian or Puslierian style.