Gabe of Penny Arcade Slams the OSR

[AnthonyRoberson]

Maybe seeing for just a night what it was like back then, will give them a greater appreciation of the game they're playing now.

Nice thinly veiled slam against the old-school players out there. Also, what's with the comments about 'armor deteriorating' and 'magic items breaking'*? Since when are those part of any old-school D&D rule set or retro-clone?

*OK. He MIGHT be referring to the Item Saving Throw tables in the DMG, but I am not sure.

 

[awesomeocalypse]

Nice thinly veiled slam against the old-school players out there. Also, what's with the comments about 'armor deteriorating' and 'magic items breaking'*? Since when are those part of any old-school D&D rule set or retro-clone?

Rust monsters, presumably.

 

[MichaelSomething]

In case you don't know the article being referenced, it's from the April 7th text post called "OD&D." After reading the article, it seems to be more of using OD&D to understand the historical underpinnings of D&D today instead of attacking the OSR. How can a person who ran a game of Swords and Wizardry be anti-OSR?

 

[JohnRTroy]

I love how the same time people are praising PA for trying the older games there's a bunch of people who are upset that he's "slamming" them.

Jeez guys. I like old D&D, but people need to stop getting either fanatical or hypersensitive to this. This is why I think the whole "OSR" thing hurts more than helps gaming.

 

[awesomeocalypse]

Jeez guys. I like old D&D, but people need to stop getting either fanatical or hypersensitive to this. This is why I think the whole "OSR" thing hurts more than helps gaming.

Any group who refer to their preferred style of performing their favored recreational activity as a "revolution" take themselves too seriously almost by definition.

 

[delericho]

Jeez guys. I like old D&D, but people need to stop getting either fanatical or hypersensitive to this. This is why I think the whole "OSR" thing hurts more than helps gaming.

Nah. More people playing more games, and having more fun is a good thing. The negative aspects of the 4e and OSR communities (both overzealously pro- and rabidly anti-) are a minor drawback by comparison.

IMO, of course.

 

[Obryn]

Maybe seeing for just a night what it was like back then, will give them a greater appreciation of the game they're playing now.

Nice thinly veiled slam against the old-school players out there. Also, what's with the comments about 'armor deteriorating' and 'magic items breaking'*? Since when are those part of any old-school D&D rule set or retro-clone

My players all started D&D with 4e like I did. This game was really about taking a look back and appreciating the roots of Dungeons and Dragons.

How dare he try out a retro-clone to appreciate the roots of the game he's playing?

-O

 

[ExploderWizard]

Jeez guys. I like old D&D, but people need to stop getting either fanatical or hypersensitive to this. This is why I think the whole "OSR" thing hurts more than helps gaming.

The OSR doesn't do a damn thing to hurt gaming-stupid people do.

Any group who refer to their preferred style of performing their favored recreational activity as a "revolution" take themselves too seriously almost by definition.

Some people might, but it is more of a renaissance than revolution to me.

 

[Henry]

Threa title is a weee bit too much "Yellow Journalism" for my taste. A few comments about trying out a modded old-school game, and he's slamming the entire old school renaissance? Really?? He even says in the piece he's giving it the "Disneyland" treatment and still expecting them to find it badass.

 

[MrMyth]

Maybe seeing for just a night what it was like back then, will give them a greater appreciation of the game they're playing now.

Nice thinly veiled slam against the old-school players out there.

I think you are reading way too much into this. In fact, while I think there are comments in his post that clearly indicate he doesn't think OD&D would have been the game for him, I don't think that line is one of them - I think that line is specifically talking about enhancing their appreciation of the game they play (D&D) by showing some of its roots.

Reading it as an active attack on old-school gamers just... seems inaccurate, to me. I can understand some sensitivity given how such things go on the internet, but I think you are definitely off-base here.