Roger E. Moore?

[Beckett]

I hope that limited contact puts a little sliver of interest back in Roger, and that maybe he might check into rpg's again... and see how much he is missed.

His articles on races really formed my understanding of the core races. I would love to see his input on some topics.

Note that the linked thread is from 2004; if it was going to spark his interest, I expect we would have heard something by now.

My subscription to Dragon started while he was editor, and I remember his editorials as one of the high points of each issue. Of course there's "Tucker's Kobolds," but my favorite was "Legend," about a paladin tackling a type IV demon and stabbing it with his magic dagger. And his accounts of GenCon remain as one of the reasons I will go to that convention someday.

 

[Maggan]

Nah. I'm not letting that go with just a shrug.

Given your response, I feel that Roger Moore's decision to stay off the Internet was remarkably informed and well founded.

/M

 

[Steel_Wind]

I would have left this alone, but if you're going to take your shots after I've been asked to zip it, that seems to be waving the bloody shirt most unfairly.

What is this talk of owing? You don't pay a debt with a kind word and an acknowledged smile. But does one "owe" common courtesy to a fan?

Yes, I think so. I have certainly treated any fan e-mails I have received over the years in that manner (not that there have been many - but there have been some). I think it is common courtesy to do so. I'm not lending them money, I'm just being kind and forthcoming, within the ordinary parameters of a civil society.

Roger didn't have to run out the guns and join whatever cause d'jour was being asked of him. No argument there.

However, he was approached by a fan who cared about his work and cared about him enough to inquire what he was up to in life. People expressing gratitude and that they missed him and hoped he was well.

They are a thousand things he could have said in a sincere way to a FAN of his work to be respectful and offer something substantial and a brief note on where he was or what he was doing. Waved them away with a smile and continued on his merry way. There are a thousand ways he could have said it, too.

This is a letter from a FAN, mind you. A FAN. Not Hasbro, not WotC - a FAN. That may not have the same importance to you - but it sure as hell means something to me.

He did none of those things. Does delivering a brush off in the way that he did make him a "bad person?"

No. He may be a great guy - as I stated - but when it comes to treating fans' kind inquiries in the way that he did, it makes him appear to be a clod and a jerk. That's not how you treat a fan who does not in the least way seem boorish in his inquiries.

It's not how people who are RESPECTED in this community treat their fans, either, as I noted.

I don't know how such an assessment of a man's social conduct is at all controversial; moreover, it troubles me how this is not self-evident, either.

It appears on this point, Erik Mona and I shall have to agree to disagree. But that's ok - I still respect him greatly and - more to the point - have never observed him to treat a fan expressing appreciation without grace, courtesy and kindness.

And I'll leave it at that.

 

[boerngrim]

A few years ago Harlan Ellison the scifi author was criticized publicly for not being nice enough to his fans. His response was interesting.
I'm paraphrasing him, " The only thing I owe my fans is what they paid for : a good story." Maybe Mister Moore feels that way too. I'm not saying its right or wrong, just putting the thought out there.
Thanks.

 

[Doug McCrae]

when it comes to treating fans' kind inquiries in the way that he did, it makes him appear to be a clod and a jerk.

I think you're being utterly ridiculous, not to mention rude, towards someone who in no way deserves it. It's hard to see how Roger could have been more polite, without posting, which he gave very good reasons for not doing. How on Earth do you get 'jerk' from the following exchange?

Andrew,

Thank you for your note. I am the Roger Moore you are looking for, but after I was let go from Hasbro, Inc. in December 2000, I let role-playing games go from my life. I sold, gave away, or threw out almost all my gaming materials, then moved on. Your invitation was appreciated, but I cannot think of anything to contribute to discussions on RPGs these days. It is best left to people who have kept in better touch with gaming. I can't even follow my sons' gaming exploits.

Aside from that, you have my best wishes. Please send my good wishes to those in your discussion group, too. Enjoy.

Yours,

Roger

Roger,

Thank you for replying. I can understand your feelings about Hasbro. Many of the ex-TSR folks we correspond with are clearly not Hasbro fans. As players and collectors of out-of print D&D material (Basic/Expert, 1e and 2e), none of us at Dragonsfoot are particularly happy about how the game has evolved - which is the main reason we came together in the first place.

As a long-time Greyhawk fan, I personally want to thank you for keeping the setting going as long as you could. I wish you luck in your future endeavors and will respect your decision not to join us.

However, keep us in mind if you ever need to promote any future writing projects or simply need a couple pats on the back or a "Well Done, Roger"! You still have a built-in fan base whether the Hasbro's of the world recognize it or not. We're always a couple of mouse-clicks away:

http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/

Good luck,

Username Fid on Dragonsfoot

Andrew,

Hey, there. I should say that I don't have anything against Hasbro itself, even after being laid off. That's life. I liked the company and the people I worked with. I just wanted to put the past behind me when I was let go. It wasn't bitterness, just a desire to move on and do something new with my life. I had been an AD&D man for ages, and clearly it was time to be something else.

Hasbro, Wizards, and TSR were all okay with me. I got along with most people pretty well and wish them a good time.

Working on Greyhawk was a special treat for me. I loved doing the "The Adventure Begins" book, though it was hard to complete and ran into a lot of problems along the way. It was worth the trouble, though, and I hope it got the campaign going again in a good way. I gave it my best.

Best wishes to you all,

Roger

 

[DM_Jeff]

suffice it to say I agree with Piratecat on how much Roger "owes" anyone.

Well, this is a rather sad thread. But I've decided I owe Roger something! I once gave him a bag of M&M's at GenCon in thanks, but that doesn't add up the hours of fun I had rereading his classic editorial about the paladin that jumped on the pit fiend and rode him down a cliff slaying it with a dagger. The impact he's had on my young gaming outlook with his good ideas and the adventures I ran he helped create. So I've decided I owe him by respecting his decision. Thanks, Roger, wherever fate takes you!

-DM Jeff

 

[Fifth Element]

Any D&D player of a certain age owes something to Roger E. Moore. Not the other way around. He gave a very polite, courteous response when a fan contacted him directly, which is all you can ask for. It mystifies me how anyone could think any different.

 

[Steel_Wind]

I think you're being utterly ridiculous, not to mention rude, towards someone who in no way deserves it. It's hard to see how Roger could have been more polite, without posting, which he gave very good reasons for not doing. How on Earth do you get 'jerk' from the following exchange?

The reason Doug, is that you left out the first part of that exchange:

"Welcome Roger. What have you been up to?"

To which there was a polite - but quite firm brush off. Polite? Yes. Responsive? No.
How did the person who wrote the mail take it?

"I sent him the following personal thank you, but I think we should respect his wishes and leave him alone."

 

[Maggan]

What I find interesting is that Moore's first reply mentions Hasbro, and the fans jump to the conclusion that he shares their antipathy for the big mean corporation. Which he then has to refute.

Interesting bit of projection going on by the fans, I believe.

/M

 

[Doug McCrae]

The reason Doug, is that you left out the first part of that exchange:

"Welcome Roger. What have you been up to?"

To which there was a polite - but quite firm brush off.

I don't think Roger received that as a message. It seemed to be a framing device for the following email exchange. The first post was dated Nov 7th, but the edit (to 'Welcome Roger. What have you been up to?') was dated Nov 9th, as was the second post containing the emails. I'm guessing the first post originally read something like 'Sent Roger E. Moore an email, awaiting reply' or some such.