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 astonishing PR campaign which makes the original interview which sparked off the controversy look mild in comparison. Various entities are moving to distance themselves from the company and its activities, including TSR2, the company founded in 2011 by Jayson Elliot, which has now declared that it will not be using the name TSR any longer. Other companies including Gen Con and freelancers such as Jeff Dee have also made statements.

For reference -- TSR1 is the (no longer existing) company which launched D&D in 1974, TSR2 is the company founded by Jayson Elliot in 2011 to create Gygax Magazine and which currently publishes the Top Secret RPG, and TSR3 is the newly launched company.

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Catch up on my previous coverage of this story:

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

TSR - TSR (2) Confirms TSR (3)'s Acquisition of Trademark (Updated!)

Jayson Elliot registered the TSR trademark back in 2011 and used it to launch Gygax Magazine along with Ernie and Luke Gygax. The two Gygax's left the company a few years later after Gary Gygax's (co-founder of TSR (1) back in the 1970s) widow, Gail Gygax, forced the closure of Gygax Magazine...

www.enworld.org

A TSR Announces a Star Frontiers Reboot

One of the new TSRs (yes there are now two TSRs!) has announced a reboot of Star Frontiers, the sci-fi game made by the original TSR back in the 1980s. Star Frontiers was a percentile dice roleplaying game set in a galaxy with four races (Human, Dralasite, Vrusk, and Yazirian) which were re-used...

www.enworld.org

TSR - TSR Is Back.... Again!

TSR is back... again! A new company, using the name and logo of the original publisher of Dungeons & Dragons has just been launched, along with a limited edition new game called Giantlands, and a theme park! But first, some history! Because this isn't the first time TSR has been resurrected...

www.enworld.org

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TSR3's social media accounts initially sought to distance the company from Ernie Gygax's statements, but within a few hours had reversed course and doubled down on his stance. Note that there have been dozens of social media posts from the company over the last few days, and still continuing as I type this, and I don't intend to share them all here.

(Thanks to Daniel Fox for sharing screenshots below via Twitter).

TSR2 -- "Update to our earlier tweet - we will NOT be licensing anything from the new company claiming rights to the TSR logos. We are not working with them in any fashion."

Gen Con -- "Gen Con is not associated with TSR Games and we don't support their recent statements. While the foundation of Gen Con is tied with the history of TTRPGs, our goal is to build off the good, acknowledge the bad, and work toward a present free from racism, misogyny, and homophobia."

Gen Con has also indicated that they do not intend to allow TSR3 at the convention.

GAMA (the Game Manufacturers Association) -- "We’re aware of the appalling statements published by TSR Games and their founder - GAMA does not condone nor agree with any part of it. We pride ourselves on supporting and promoting inclusivity always. Our motto is “A game at every table, a table for everyone”. Transphobia, racism, and sexism will not be tolerated. That means that TSR is not welcome at Origins Game Fair, GAMA Expo or any event affiliated with our organization."

Jeff Dee -- "There is a rumor going around that I am part of this new TSR company. That is not accurate. I have done some work for them as a freelance artist. That’s how I make my living, and spreading the misinformation that I’m now employed full-time by one particular client could stop other clients from approaching me and hurt my business. So, please do not spread that rumor. If I ever become a full-time employee anywhere again, I will announce that myself. Thanks. UPDATE: After investigating reports about statements made by representatives of this new TSR, I have determined that I can no longer do business with them in good conscience. I've returned their downpayment on the next piece of art I was scheduled to do for them. And yeah, I could sure use some new commissions to make up for this big hit on my cashflow"

Jim Ward, an original TSR alumnus and who wrote Giantlands, TSR3's flagship product -- "At the present time I know little or nothing about the relaunch of TSR. Right now I don't see how anyone could pick up where the old company left off. Yes it's a name with some logos, that is all I know."

Luke Gygax -- "FYI- I am not involved with any TSR company nor is Gary Con nor anyone else in my family outside of Ernie. Full stop. That is all ... I have reasons for distancing myself. The way TSR treats people online in their public exchanges is rude. The museum is a for profit business and was asking for donations. Using names of people to promote without their knowledge. Going out of the way to talk gender/woke stuff ... Also basically jacking the TSR logo from Jayson Elliot. The bombastic press releases and claims to old IP. Making a quick nostalgia money grab based on my fathers name and not much else. So I’m making it clear I don’t like this style and I have ZERO to do with TSR"

TSR3 responds to Luke Gygax​

Tim Kask, an original TSR alumnus who worked at the company until 1980, spoke at length on this topic in a YouTube video (below). I've transcribed some bits, but he says a whole load more (ellipses represent sections I have not included, for reasons of brevity), so check out the video for the whole thing.

"There has been bandied about in social media over the last several days several claims about what's going on in Lake Geneva right now. Ernie Gygax made a most egregious mistake in an interview he did on a podcast. He basically waved his bare ass in front of everybody that's concerned about pronouns, and woke, and all that right now in the industry and thumbed his nose at them. The transcript of his podcasts are there for everyone to read. That they were men, and they didn't give a sh*t, and la la la.

But right there they alienated three quarters of the gaming industry. Probably more than that, I don't believe that there's a quarter of the gaming industry that still are the neanderthals that he would make us out to be.

That's another thing. This whole thing has brought the OSR (the old school revival) into serious disrepute. Now there are some little Karens going on some of the social media and painting with the same brush all of us that were there back then based on the stupid ass sh*t that Ernie just said. No. We weren't all like that. And we aren't all like that now. He's a troll, a troglodyte, a neanderthal, if he really means that. It's a foolish person that doesn't wet his finger once in a while and feel the wind shift.

Now there've been claims in a couple of posts, one of which is by Ernie, about how the stalwarts, the old TSR are flocking to the banner. Bullsh*t....

... There is no one of the creative side of TSR from the early days involved with the Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum. No one. Not one creative person. No matter who might be claiming what, they simply do not have the credentials. Being named DiMaggio does not mean you can hit a lot of home runs. Or that you even hit any home runs ....

... Just because you say you're TSR doesn't mean you are."

​

 

[Professor Murder]

I enjoy the study of history, both of our world and of my various hobbies. I appreciate having the old games available, and I can enjoy the old style of games. I don't think all members of the OSR see it as superior to modern gaming, and I think many of us enjoy a variety of games.
While appreciating history in whatever its forms, I can realize there were outdated concepts that we can hope the modern world has moved past. Some of these have crept into current games, and I think in those cases we need to exercise caution and be welcoming to others.
To me, the OSR isn't about playing the old games as they were, but taking what worked from them and making them better experiences for modern players.
If you go to a Ren Faire you don't want renaissance medicine. There are parts that are good and fun, but you don't want an authentic experience across the board.

To clarify, I am not claiming nor purposefully insinuating that it is a one for one. Merely pointing out that the OSR movement needs to be mindful to not provide cover for regressive attitudes. Again, this is not an issue unique to the OSR. Warhammer 40K with it's fascist imagery needs to be mindful of actual fascists feeling they have a place there. LARPers need to be mindful of sexual and social predators who use the intimate, emotional interactions as hunting grounds to foster abuse. Geek spaces, because they are subcultures, are vulnerable to malicious subculture infiltration. Vigilance is not just a good idea, it is our responsibility.

 

[Ancalagon]

Speaking as a middle-aged, cis-het white dude, I think it is important to be vocal about one's support of marginalized communities because a) it lets people in those communities know they have outside support and b) it lets those threatening those communities know they are very much in the minority. Silence simply enforces the status quo.

Well said!

I too fit that description, and I too am... appalled at this attempted launch. There are plenty of great gaming products out there that want our money.

 

[Malmuria]

but I have heard for the call for the ruination of Ernie Gygax.

Tangent: I think you have to have achieved something in order to be "ruined." You can't fall from a great height if you already on the ground.

If he is unsalvageable I will find out. I have certain demands I am placing, all rather normal and reasonable considering the situation. So rather than talk I'd rather solve, so rather than destroy I'd like to change and mediate. This is not an either/or or us and them issue when you speak of one or many lives, no matter the situations regarding them.

Maybe he can start by making an honest apology, explaining what he meant by his comments, giving back the tsr license to Jayson Elliot, and get to work on fulfilling his kickstarter.

 

[Umbran]

But, I don’t see why everyone has to continually declare that Black Lives Matter or Trans Lives Matter all the time to reassure people that they aren’t bigots.

"Continually declare" is hyperbole.

As a baseline, folks of good intent ought to stand up and make themselves known when ugliness rears its head. If you see someone in the OSR movement say something regressive, don't let it pass unchallenged.

If there's folks in the OSR movement saying ugly things so often that this is "continually declaring", well, maybe the OSR community isn't all that open and welcoming to diversity.

 

[Malmuria]

It's not just the osr; there are plenty of reactionary people among 5e players as well. What's frustrating to me about the OSR is the way that bad actors are tolerated in the name of creativity. For example, there are so many systems out there, so why are people still recommending and reviewing LotFP?

 

[darjr]

OK. I’m not a Tenkar fan. However I saw this and it has some relevant info and I can’t not refer back to him while not sharing it. So…


There is a meeting coming up about rezoning the “museums” location.

Note: Rezoning of the Museum's location is on the agenda for the Lake Geneva City council at 6 PM CDT. You can view the meeting virtually:

CITY OF LAKE GENEVA REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL



MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 6:00 P.M.

LAKE GENEVA CITY HALL; COUNCIL CHAMBERS (MAIN LEVEL)

Members:

Mayor Charlene Klein, Council President, Rich Hedlund, Council Vice President, John Halverson,

Alderpersons: Tim Dunn, Mary Jo Fesenmaier, Cindy Flower, Ken Howell, Shari Straube, and Joan Yunker

CITY HALL WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DURING ALL MEETINGS. THE CITY OF LAKE GENEVA IS HOLDING

ALL MEETINGS VIRTUALLY AS WELL AS IN PERSON. IF YOU WISH TO LISTEN OR WATCH THE MEETING YOU

MAY DO SO BY USING THE FOLLOWING:

1. Links to the City of Lake Geneva’s live video stream can be found at www.cityoflakegeneva.com/video

2. Television: Watch live broadcast of the meeting on Spectrum Cable Channel 25

3. Listen to audio via phone: (602) 333-2017 (Long distance rates may apply) (888) 204-5987 (Toll Free) Access Code: 9746153

The post is mostly about LeNasa and a dust up he had with Tenkar.

LaNasa - Playing with the OSR Since at Least October, 2020

A blog focused on OSR gaming, the Swords & Wizardry RPG and all things Dungeons & Dragons.Tavern Chat is the accompanying Podcast.

www.tenkarstavern.com

 

[Retreater]

If there's folks in the OSR movement saying ugly things so often that this is "continually declaring", well, maybe the OSR community isn't all that open and welcoming to diversity.

I have a feeling that Ernie and the rest of 3SR kind of came out of the woodwork. They are certainly NOT respected content creators in the OSR. In my OSR channels they are being called out for what they are: unprofessional, entitled, potential scam artists with problematic, exclusionary views. I have seen no one in the OSR mainstream coming to their support.
When someone says something problematic like in this case, it is addressed. Otherwise, it's "gaming as usual." From what I've seen, it's been pretty open. The Discords I'm on do not tolerate this kind of speech.

 

[Retreater]

For example, there are so many systems out there, so why are people still recommending and reviewing LotFP?

It's a mystery to me too. I've made it well known that I don't support LotFP. Even without the controversy behind the creators, the product itself is disgusting to me.
You might be pleased to know that due to financial woes, LotFP is basically done. People can move along to play Dungeon Crawl Classics, Old School Essentials, Labyrinth Lord, Worlds Without Number, Basic Fantasy RPG, OSRIC, Swords & Wizardry, Astonishing Swordsmen and Sorcerers of Hyperborea, Castles & Crusades, etc., etc.

 

[Mannahnin]

You said your say. No one should bleed, no one should suffer, and until we can get past this us and them attitude we will remain unprogressed humans, sides drawn, fingers pointing, teeth gnashing. The worst elements from both of these sides will prevail as has always been the case in human history. I do not hear in these threads the calls for the ruination of Gays; but I have heard for the call for the ruination of Ernie Gygax. For those who ask not to be judged the judgments flow quickly from. The words of Gandalf in response to Frodo wishing Bilbo had killed Gollum come to mind. I have no answer to the vitriol and fear emanating from both sides, but I know that the final ending is not wrapped in destruction, so it must be the opposite.

I appreciate your input, Umbrian. But you are missing the spirit of my point which was to the point and not an interpretable aside. It was related ("mob") to calls for Ernie's disfranchisement. I do not agree with either side in the matter of retribution, stereotyping and hate, That is not what I seek as an advocate of freedom of choice. I seek progress, and that will be through, somewhat, reconcilliation, not destruction. Those who refuse reconcilliation should be shunned and ostracized IMO. Who draws the line of when where and under what circumstances one crosses the Rubicon and becomes unsalvageable? Each person must walk in their own shadow and bear the responsibility of their actions. Everyone. Ernie is a good person worth salvaging on this point. Why? It's not because I agree or am complicit or am hand-waving his comments, quite the contrary. I know him, he is better than this. I will find out and get to the bottom of his current abberrant behaviour today in a phone call. I am very concerned for him and the damage he is causing to others. If he is unsalvageable I will find out. I have certain demands I am placing, all rather normal and reasonable considering the situation. So rather than talk I'd rather solve, so rather than destroy I'd like to change and mediate. This is not an either/or or us and them issue when you speak of one or many lives, no matter the situations regarding them.

There are no mobs here, Rob. There are individual angry and disappointed people, and justifiably so.

Ernie, in an interview to promote his new company, chose to try to make a selling point of "enforcing" gender roles and dismissing modern concepts of gender identity. That was his choice.

He also chose to air his misguided grievances about WotC putting a mild disclaimer on old materials they're selling online as containing the occasional outdated stereotype and prejudicial bit of content and misrepresent that as an attack on his dad, and folks like you. Which it's quite clearly not. In doing so he was parroting a sentiment I've seen from several reactionary gamers online.

He also made himself look bad with unprofessional complaints about Kickstarter charging fees (which he knew about up front) and the government collecting taxes on his six figure Kickstarter. How dare they? And complaints about his accountant. And blame for Benoist, his writing partner, for the Marmoreal Tomb being five years late. No personal responsibility. Just pointing the finger of blame at others and ducking responsibility.

He has also partnered with a clear bigot and inveterate internet troll (Justin LaNasa) who clearly delights in offending, and who has solicited donations to his "Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum" which is a for-profit business. And has repeatedly misrepresented his company as representing old school creators it doesn't actually employ. Who appears to have a business model founded on deceit.

All these are Ernie's choices. His actions and his words.

No one is trying to kill him. No one wants his literal blood. No one is trying to pass laws to restrict his rights or freedoms as part of a collectivized, marginalized group.

People are angry at him, individually, over his bad choices.

Respectfully, your language about bleeding and ruination exaggerates and distorts the facts of the matter, and your "the worst elements from both of these sides will prevail as has always been the case in human history" is ahistorical nonsense unworthy of a person of your erudition.

I am sorry your friend Ernie has done these things. I appreciate that you intend to reach out to try to help him come to his senses. I am sure you are right that he is, at heart, a good person.

-------------------------
"I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and that when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that the present tension in the South is a necessary phase of the transition from an obnoxious negative peace, in which the Negro passively accepted his unjust plight, to a substantive and positive peace, in which all men will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured."

Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]

www.africa.upenn.edu

 

[Sacrosanct]

LaNassa's behavior is the epitome of everything wrong in our hobby (and society in general). Even if you get past the lies, hypocrisy, bigotry, and backstabbing, he's the opposite of professional on every level. And I mean every level. His website is so riddled with basic grammar and spelling errors it's almost unreadable. That isn't a shot at bad spellers (of which I am myself), but his site is meant to be a professional representation of his hopeful career aspirations. And it's woefully bad in that regard. If he's that bad on his own resume, that tells me any product he puts out will be equally poorly made.

How he has any support is beyond me. Even if you get past his toxic attitudes, as the past week has shown, has zero idea how to run a business. The number of people who keep supporting a person like him just because they share the same ideologies no matter how many times he screws them will never fail to surprise me.