TSR Q&A with Gary Gygax

This is the multi-year Q&A sessions held by D&D co-creator Gary Gygax here at EN World, beginning in 2002 and running up until his sad pasing in 2008. Gary's username in the thread below is Col_Pladoh, and his first post in this long thread is Post #39.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

It should also be noted that Ryan also was speaking from the vantage point of having the dominant system.

Cheers!

Yes, that's true, but, respectfully, why did it need to be noted? He had the dominant system, but it had been all but run into the ground. He wanted to revive it and get it going again. Sure, his plan was pretty extensive, but again, what about it was different from what any capitalist would do? I mean, he isn't going to say "well, we have the dominant game system, so we're more than happy to do nothing with it to expand its growth." Again, no disrespect intended; this is in the spirit of a real discussion, not an argument.

 

[rounser]

If SJG had achieved the same market share as 3e has, wouldn't they be perceived in as negative a way? I know it's not really an answerable question, without slipping into parallel universes, but it's something that occurred to me.

I'm no expert, but I'd say; definitely. A trait of human nature that I've noticed again and again over the years is that people tend to be suspicious of anything which represents power or popularity (which are often closely related anyway). I strongly suspect that this is because evolution has hardwired into our minds the emotional realisation that power corrupts, and that there's a tendency to stop peddling quite so hard once you're on top, so it's in our best interests to never be satisfied with powerful entities in order to keep them peddling, and to suspect their motivations and efforts are for the worst of the rest of us.

Therefore, I think that people don't trust the monopolies, they don't trust the mainstream, and they don't trust the powerful on an emotional level - because emotions are there to serve you when logic doesn't reflect reality or your own best interests well enough. Even when Microsoft, Britney Spears and Dubya are acting sincerely and with the best interests of others at heart, there is a tendency for the plebocites to suspect conspiracy and for neutral emotions to veer (often irrationally) towards hostility, simply because of their status as the overdog. The same sort of thing applies to WotC (their products often seem to be set to higher standards than other d20 publishers in reviews) and, of course, d20 itself.

I'd bet confidently that if SJG/GURPS were in the same position, they'd receive the same treatment.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Well, this is actually a pretty interesting discussion, but I fear it's going far off-topic, I think. That is, unless Gary wishes for it to continue. I'm sorry for hijacking the thread; I really was genuinely interested in what Gary thought about GURPS and d20, in regards to the similarity of intent for both of them.

Anyway, I'll ask Gary again, because this question keeps getting lost in the shuffle: will you be attending GenCon once it moves to Indianapolis? I remember that you were disappointed it was moving (I was too; I'd never been able to make it to GenCon, and was hoping to attend it where it began).

 

[dcollins]

Gary, I've got an A/D&D question for you:

Since Jeff Grub's 1st Edition Manual of the Planes, the Elemental Planes have been depicted as infinite regions without constant gravity or a standard up/down direction. Therefore they're documented as: (a) having "subjective" gravity chosen by each separate intelligent creature -- allowing everyone to fly around all the planes freely, and (b) nonsentient objects hang stuck motionless in space, even after being shot or thrown by a creature. This trait is also given to a number of other planes which are open expanses without a "ground".

Does this match up with your vision of what the Elemental Planes should be like? Or did you historically picture them as having a fixed up/down direction for everyone (and/or even having a "bottom" at some point)?

Which brings up a closely related question: for you, what was the City of Brass (for example) supposed to be sitting on?

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Help! Thread Hijackers At Work!!!

Just kidding about the "hijack" of course.

When Steve did GURPS I do not believe he was aiming at taking over the whole RPG field. The game system he designed was, as I said, more likely meant to capture and retain a solid share of it.

Attacking the "big guys" is most often done by those who want to compete with them or by those who are looking for publicity to "make a name," I do believe. When there is a fight, though, the onlookers do tend to root for the "little guy." As for the D20 matter, this is likely as much a matter of vocal opposition by those who plainly don't like the new D&D game than anything else. That's hardly surprising in the RPG field, whene the "critics" are vocal, outspoken in their opinions. There is likely more fervor amongst those who assail it, because 3E/D20 is far and away the most played RPG. By no stretch of the imagination is it a monopoly. Furthermore, with the diversity of opinion so evident in the RPG field, it has no chance of ever becoming one.

ColonelHardisson, I am committed to attending the Milwaukee regional con that runs a week from GenCon. I have no firm plans in regards to making Indy. That is I had not planned on going, but I am getting some pressure to attend, so it's up in the air at present.

Dcollins, my vision of the elemental planes differs from that published. As for the City of Brass, I had it floatiing on fiery stuff of airy sort, a sort of island in a sea of flames, if you will.

Cheerio,
Gary

 

[dcollins]

Re: Help! Thread Hijackers At Work!!!

Dcollins, my vision of the elemental planes differs from that published. As for the City of Brass, I had it floatiing on fiery stuff of airy sort, a sort of island in a sea of flames, if you will.

Interesting. So I'm assuming that the whole plane did have a fixed orientation of gravity, and not the "everyone flies for free" mechanism?

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Re: Re: Help! Thread Hijackers At Work!!!

Interesting. So I'm assuming that the whole plane did have a fixed orientation of gravity, and not the "everyone flies for free" mechanism?

A correct assumption indeed Otherwise, what use the power of flight possessed by efreet or flying carpets for that matter, the latter being a favorite means of reaching the fabled city, of course.

Ciao,
Gary

 

[dcollins]

Re: Re: Re: Help! Thread Hijackers At Work!!!

A correct assumption indeed Otherwise, what use the power of flight possessed by efreet or flying carpets for that matter, the latter being a favorite means of reaching the fabled city, of course.

I agree. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Caedrel]

What's the record for a thread?

'cause I think this thread has a shot at the longevity record, although I suppose there are others who are longer or have more posts (the controversial ones about religion etc etc )

It sounds like you're eternally busy Gary, so it's just as well that it's with things that you really enjoy doing A few things...

Paraphrase: LA also has a d30 and a d7

Woo! I suppose the d30 is very handy for generating a day of the month? It must be even more spherical than the d20 - which could lead to even greater erosion problems with ongoing use My very earliest set of dice came with the Basic D&D box, and the corners of the d20 are a bit smooth, although it hasn't yet led to any disputes about what the number for any given roll *really* is I can't even imagine what shape a d7 is... are its faces triangles?

Do you have a favourite set of dice, that you would use all the time if you could and/or carry around with you wherever you go? Or have you been happy to use whatever dice happen to be around / provided by the Convention organisers? Or both, as the occasion warrants?

Summation: Some of the things that went on at TSR

It sounds like not only poor management of a game company on their part, but poor management overall. I think escorting people off the premises is a lousy way to do business, and only ever hurts a company in the long run. You should always be able to talk to people and figure something out (even if it is only recognising your "irreconcilable differences" and agreeing to part ways) if not amicably then at least civilly.

I couldn't help be struck by the parallels between this real life situation and one portrayed in "the Kinghts of the Dinner Table". I know you don't have a chance to review stuff explicitly, but have you ever read any of the comics? Do any episodes stand out to you, or made you say "Wow! That's almost exactly like my group" or "That's so close to what happened that it's almost painful"?

Lord of the Rings
I know your schedule is pretty full, but I suspect every gamer in the world has seen the first Lord of the Rings movie... if so, did you have an opinion on it? Was there anything you particularly liked, or particularly disliked? I really enjoyed the whole experience, especially the fights in the mines of Moria, and am looking forward to the Two Towers immensely.

 

[King_Stannis]

Hello Gary!

Thanks a million for sticking around and answering all of our questions. I have a couple for you. First, have you seen that witch Lorraine Williams in the years since your departure from TSR? If so, did you tell her off? The only reason I bring it up is that you mentioned earlier that you occasionally see one of the Blume’s, (Brian?), and that he runs away with “great alacrity” whenever he sees you. I found that hilarious!

Also, are you aware that there is a new Conan movie in the making, “Conan: Crown of Iron”. Supposedly Arnold has already been signed for it. I know that you were no fan of the original, but do you think you might give this one a try?

Finally, have you ever done any “microarmour” wargaming. If so, what are your favorite periods – modern or WWII?