Looking for TSR info

[Assenpfeffer]

Well, the Jim Ward thread just got closed. I was going to ask these questions there. If anyone has any info, my curiousity would be grateful.

1. I'd had the impression that Jim Ward was head honcho at TSR for at least a little while. Is this incorrect? If so, what position did he, in fact, occupy?

If it is correct, does anyone know the period of his stewardship?

2. I've seen Ward mentioned in the context of 'TSR President,' or something very like it. Was this his actual title during that time? If not, what was? Either way, who was the lead decision maker at TSR? Was it Ward, Lorraine Williams, or someone else entirely?

3. If Ward did not, in fact, occupy the lead position at TSR, who did? I'm curious specifically about the period from about 1990 to the time of TSR's demise in 1996 or so.

No value judgements or flames, please. Just looking for info. If this steps on any toes, my apologies in advance.

 

[diaglo]

3. If Ward did not, in fact, occupy the lead position at TSR, who did? I'm curious specifically about the period from about 1990 to the time of TSR's demise in 1996 or so.

No value judgements or flames, please. Just looking for info. If this steps on any toes, my apologies in advance.

these are diametrically opposed. there is no way to tell you who the head of T$R was at that time without flaming. it wasn't Jim Ward.

 

[herald]

Jim headed up the R&D department. The over all head was Lorraine (last name?)

I don't think that its fair to judge the failure of TSR on Jim's merits. (not that you were asking, just thought I would throw that in.) Marketing had a lot to do with TSR's downfall. To many game lines competed with each other.

R&D is not supposed to read the market, that what marketing is for. R&D is for making sure that the games work.

And judging by the amount of 2ed players that used to post here, I would have to say it was pretty well recieved.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Was not the head of TSR at this time a woman who hated gamers?

 

[Assenpfeffer]

I know about Lorraine Williams. What I'm looking for, and what I mean by "head" is "primary decision-making person."

 

[JacktheRabbit]

I know about Lorraine Williams. What I'm looking for, and what I mean by "head" is "primary decision-making person."

Just to clear up my memory on this. Was she the one who disliked gamers?

 

[Assenpfeffer]

Just to clear up my memory on this. Was she the one who disliked gamers?

I have no idea. She is often said to have disliked gamers, however.

 

[herald]

uld point you to where Gary Gygax had a web site explaining things, but it seems to be down.

Lorraine Williams would have been the one who called the shots.

 

[Assenpfeffer]

uld point you to where Gary Gygax had a web site explaining things, but it seems to be down.

Lorraine Williams would have been the one who called the shots.

I know she owned the company. Did she make the day-to day decisions?

 

[herald]

I know she owned the company. Did she make the day-to day decisions?

To my knowledge, she was the one who boosted Gary out of the company. She did insist on many of the changes in 2ed. As I understand, she put the kibosh on the Monk class. There were other thinks that have been attributed to her. Grodog would be one of the people to ask. Also, look for the posts with Col. Pladoh. That is Gary's handle on this board. There are some question and answer session on this message board with him. I would suggest that you read through those for olds school info.