TSR TSR3 Blames Widespread Pushback On WotC

In an unexpected turn of events, the primary individuals behind TSR3 have claimed the pushback they've received on social media and elsewhere was orchestrated by .... D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast (a company which has thus far remained completely silent on recent events).

TSR3 is run by Justin LaNasa, Stephen Dinehart, and Ernie Gygax. The controversy has been raging for over a week, since TSR3 announced itself with a press release.

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...

www.enworld.org

Stephen Dinehart and Ernie Gygax have since deactivated their Twitter accounts; Justin LaNasa doesn't appear to have one, but it is believed he is the person operating TSR3's Twitter account. A couple of days ago, Ernie Gygax posted about recent events on Facebook (note that he edited the post, but the original can be seen here).

I wish to state in the strongest terms that I never meant to hurt anyone of any race, creed or color. My video From the Bunker caused some to feel that they would not be welcome or would be looked down upon. That was never the intent, I was reacting to focus of modern role play into a more background and Role Play rather than the wargame that so made so many lives happy over 40 years ago.

As a gamer it meant that most of us were not worthy of any attention from others of our own age. We were Nerds. We were brainy-acks and others would snicker. Older classmen would ask to "borrow" something of ours to then pass back and forth a game of keep away. I used to receive some special attention from about 4 Juniors in my Freshman year. I played the Violin and often I began to wish that I had Super Powers, perhaps become a Giant.. I was far to shy and then embarrassed as attractive ladies would just lower the eyes while the jocks or other socially vibrant fellows had some fun at another geeky nerds expense. Thank goodness I grew 4 inches my junior year.

The only real comfort zone we all could share was a table in the lunch room. At least the fledgling TSR found fertile minds in those who had only those like us - gamers. Rather than have to risk embarrassing myself, since Phy Ed was going to force us to dance with those wonderful and yet scary girls. Well to get my Diploma I had to slave for a month to Mr. Gerber the head of the Phy Ed department. Fortunately I knew all about janitorial work as before D&D and TSR dad only made $5,000 as a Cobbler (five children) and we had food stamps and even free school lunches. Yes you had to go to the councilors office every week to collect your free lunch passes. Obviously you could feel all the eyes on you and the talk about....

Everyone has been welcome at my gaming table and multitudes of new friends have been created by the time spent playing the games we Love. Look at pictures of gaming on my site or anywhere I run games. Everyone is welcome, just like a Boot Hill game leave your guns at the bar until you leave town. If you come to the Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum Jeff R. Leason will show you courtesy and a smile and you will see that gaming with elder gamers is a safe and entertaining environment.

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

 

[Thaumaturge]

He's on about playing the victim card (on behalf of Ernie), and avoiding the actual question about Ernie's statement. It's just another bad-faith tactic.

He also probably doesn't know and/or care about any correlation between gender identity and neurodiversity, and would probably use that in a negative way if he did.

(BTW, this correlation is news to me as well. Or is it that gender non-conformity falls under the neurodiversity umbrella rather than correlating? Do you have any info/links? )

Here’s an article that talks about a study about gender diversity and autism.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Gnarlo]

My thoughts on the "dogpile by people not involved" issue and "bullying the bullies" issue...

Last year George Floyd was murdered by a policeman kneeling on his neck. The policeman knew he was in public, knew he was being recorded. The video was released and the sheer brutality and uncaring nature of the event caused worldwide protests and marching in the streets. This has led in many places to a re-examination of police methods, tactics, and training, an acknowledgment of systemic biases and deck stacking in many established parts of the status quo, the removal of many statues honoring colonialists, slavers, and murderers, the renaming of various public institutions that had been named after slavers and traitors who fought against their country, etc.

Would any of this have happened if the only people who protested were those "involved"? Mr Floyd's family and friends? Those who were on the street corner that day? Absolutely not; the status quo would have continued to grind on and grind over those who it found inconvenient. Everyone sickened by the treatment of a fellow human being was involved in this and spoke up and continue to speak up to work to ensure this changes.

When Ernie and the others at TSR3 publicly stated their disgusting beliefs, are "only those involved" supposed to get up at arms and call them out? Are only the people they have personally named in their tweets supposed to let them know it's not cool and the rest of us are dogpiling? Absolutely not. We are brothers, sisters, and allies and it is our responsibility to stand with the oppressed and say "this will not be tolerated, and apparently you have underestimated our numbers".

Silence is complicity. And if a cis het Southern white dude in his late 50s can understand this, anyone can.

 

[Gradine]

I did not say both sides stuff.
And I prefer not to be quoted out of context.
Please direct me to the passage, where Ernie said such things or associated with those. Then I immediately take back everything I said and apologize for even hinting at dialogue.
Because that is way out of the spectrum of people I would want to talk with.
What I need is facts. If I missed them, I apologize in advance.

Oh no, you're right, this was all just a big mass hallucination that never actually happened! Reality is a projection! Nothing is real!

Or... maybe we're not all, as a collective, making this up, and you should do your own homework. The quotes and tweets are out there, and not terribly hard to find.

 

[MichaelSomething]

Ernie Gygax is free to set up an Enworld account and tell us his side of the story himself. Perhaps we should make some effort to invite him to Enworld?

I'm confident that our moderaters can ensure that Ernie does not get trampled by any mob. Of course, Ernie would have to abide by the Enworld terms of service. If his father could post here for years, I'm sure he can too.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Oh no, you're right, this was all just a big mass hallucination that never actually happened! Reality is a projection! Nothing is real!

Or... maybe we're not all, as a collective, making this up, and you should do your own homework. The quotes and tweets are out there, and not terribly hard to find.

Don't lay words into my mouth I never said.
But: I better shut my mouth because it is not appreciated.
And before I do so, i want to say: I 100% support your side. Trans women are women, trans men are men. Trans rights are human rights and same goes for everyone else.

 

[Gradine]

I mean, I know at least transphobe that's still welcome to be posting here.

 

[Gradine]

Don't lay words into my mouth I never said.

Asking for evidence at this point is wild beyond imagining. It's everywhere! These are facts that aren't really up for debate at this point. Actually read the threads! It's all there!

 

[Rob Kuntz]

I’m behind, so sorry if this has been addressed already, but it would make sense for him to think creed would cover LGBTQIA+ if he thinks of queer identities as “woke ideology” rather than legitimate identities. It’d be wrong of course, but you can kind of follow the thought process: he’s apologizing for offending people who believe queer identities are legitimate, not for offending queer people.

That is what I was trying to get across by dissecting his non-apology, which he told me "was an apology". This is what he believes. It is not what I believe. In addition, there is this: If "anyone is welcome to play" (which would imply a "person") then why is not that person who you insult not a person for apology reasons?? Person inside Dungeon Hobby Shop, non-person outside!! Insane and I told him so! He wields his "Christian teachings," as a shield from responsible behavior in the wash of it all. He is not even embracing that, he is wrong to judge by his own Faith, but there it is, along with insulting, demeaning and hiding from the truth. He has fallen in so many ways I cannot count! It's like the confused shell of a person I used to know who wouldn't say anything bad to anyone and do anything to anyone. It's grossly disappointing and the family is ashamed.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Asking for evidence at this point is wild beyond imagining. It's everywhere! These are facts that aren't really up for debate at this point. Actually read the threads! It's all there!

I asked for a specific point I missed.
Sorry for that.

 

[This Effin’ GM]

That is what I was trying to get across by dissecting his non-apology, which he told me "was an apology". This is what he believes. It is not what I believe. In addition, there is this: If "anyone is welcome to play" (which would imply a "person") then why is not that person who you insult not a person for apology reasons?? Person inside Dungeon Hobby Shop, non-person outside!! Insane and I told him so! He wields his "Christian teachings," as a shield from responsible behavior in the wash of it all. He is not even embracing that, he is wrong to judge by his own Faith, but there it is, along with insulting, demeaning and hiding from the truth. He has fallen in so many ways I cannot count! It's like the confused shell of a person I used to know who wouldn't say anything bad to anyone and do anything to anyone. It's grossly disappointing and the family is ashamed.

My condolences to the family and yourself then