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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Malic" data-source="post: 1868822" data-attributes="member: 23799">Well ... * The creators of the later versions called them D&D, which they were entitled to do. Widespread usage of this name has associated it with the later versions as well as the first. The meaning of the term 'D&D' is now not restricted to the original white box (or whatever colour it was).* 'D&D' is played by different people in different ways, which was part of its original purpose. The 'creators' of many of those games call their art 'D&D' too. This is part of what gives the term its current meaning, and also explains why its meaning is not absolute.* In fact the meaning of language is not absolute and static anyway. With respect to art, say you created something totally unlike the original play and called it 'Hamlet'. There is nothing to say you are 'wrong' by this, as long as it's within copyright and trademark law. You can call your art anything you want, even a meaningless string of syllables. And that becomes the name of your art. (It would affect the percieved meaning of your art though, by allusion to the more famous work.) If your work became really widely known, the word 'Hamlet' would start to actually mean your art in many people's minds, as well as the original play. If the thematic links between the two were obvious this might even encourage the term 'Hamlet' to be used more generally for other thematically similar things. The point is that all three uses would be 'right'!* I guess what this boils down to is, D&D is just a term. It means what it is commonly applied to, which is more than one unique book. The current understanding of the term covers a range of things, and it will change over time. It doesn't just apply to the original game anymore. * Other people here have addressed the important elements that define 'D&D' to most people, as distinct from other RPGs. Hang on, I can put this more briefly :Yes. After the first change it is not the original work of art (IMHO), but a new and related one. That does not mean it is incorrect for it to have the same name.This is an interesting thread. Thanks for starting it!</blockquote>

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