What would Gary do?

[Merlin the Tuna]

Dunjeons and Drajons?

Half a step behind Mortal Kombat is what that sounds like.

Gary's mentioned before that he's not at all a fan of 3.X, and I've at the very least I'm pretty sure I've seen the smug "let them play their little game"-style dismissal of questions regarding 4E. Obviously I can't speak for the man precisely, though, and I spend very little time lurking in the Q&A thread, so shovel of salt here.

 

[Nathal]

I know he'd rather talk about "Lejendary Adventure".

Half a step behind Mortal Kombat is what that sounds like.

Gary's mentioned before that he's not at all a fan of 3.X, and I've at the very least I'm pretty sure I've seen the smug "let them play their little game" dismissal of questions regarding 4E. Obviously I can't speak for the man precisely, though, and I spend very little time lurking in the Q&A thread, so shovel of salt here.

 

[The Ubbergeek]

Half a step behind Mortal Kombat is what that sounds like.

Gary's mentioned before that he's not at all a fan of 3.X, and I've at the very least I'm pretty sure I've seen the smug "let them play their little game" dismissal of questions regarding 4E. Obviously I can't speak for the man precisely, though, and I spend very little time lurking in the Q&A thread, so shovel of salt here.

Kind of arrogant, no?

"*I* know the real game."

 

[GAAAHHH]

He knows which game he prefers, just as you know which game you prefer. What's wrong with that? I prefer GURPS, but I do like playing D&D (any edition).

 

[Glyfair]

Gary's mentioned before that he's not at all a fan of 3.X, and I've at the very least I'm pretty sure I've seen the smug "let them play their little game" dismissal of questions regarding 4E. Obviously I can't speak for the man precisely, though, and I spend very little time lurking in the Q&A thread, so shovel of salt here.

If so then it's a major change from the Gary who wrote..

* Date: Tue, 10 Aug 1999 10:59:42 -0500
From: Gary & Gail Gygax
Subject: 3E D&D Game

Greetings, Seekers

I read all the postings on the Digest for the 6-7 August list with some interest. My first assignment for WotC/TSR is to *critique* the new rules As I haven't had the opportunity to sit down and read them as a whole, all the FAQ material and speculation based thereon seem pretty meaningless. This is a game whole that must be judged only when it can be read, and *played*, as such.

While I find a certain sympathy with the comments from many, and those of Nathanael D. Wentz in particular, I must say that there is also a good deal of pessimistic opinion therein that I believe should be left aside for later. That is, how about giving the game a chance before judging/condemning it?

Another thing: Over the past three years I have had the opportunity to become reasonably well acquainted with Peter Adkison. In my opinion he is, to put it mildly, a great guy. He is indeed a D&D gamer. While a lot of people like to snipe at success, this is a very negative and foolish attitude. After all, don't we all want to succeed? Of course, and we should praise and emulate, not attack, those who achieve something meritorious. Maybe some here, as in the "industry at large", think it chic to criticize the MtG CCG. Sure sounds like sour grapes from here. As far as I am concerned it was and is a masterful stroke of game design--as a lot more people than those who play RPGs will agree. The POKEMON CCG is likewise genius! Credit where it is due, please.

It is now up to RPG publishers, and *players*, to get out there and convert the unwashed CCG masses to the true gaming faith, of course. Stop grousing that there are now millions more potential converts around and get to proselytizing!

Lastly, I think that WotC/TSR is a company that is concerned with the opinions of the fans, you and I. This is pretty well supported by the material posted in the FAQs here from them, no? This likely means that what the *majority* of participants want will be given in the game. And, as Nathanael D. Wentz pointed out, those of us who find the material not "right" can indeed exercise the DM's purview and "correct" the system...

(^_^)

Gary

 

[Henry]

Actually, the Gary who wrote it hadn't even gotten to really read the game at that point - his opinion did change later. He's stated that he has no problem with playing it, but he wouldn't run it as such. Overall, he's preferential to Lejendary Adventures' looser approach to rules than something as strict as 3E. He has his own opinion, of course, but I'm thinking if Today's Gary were to suddenly come into control of D&D, he'd either license it out to someone capable of supporting the current setup, or license more than one version: "D&D" would become something similar to LA, and "Dungeon Journeys" or something would be the d20 version. Gary has said he has no interest in controlling D&D's fate anymore, and is pretty happy with his endeavors these days. Of Course, I would imagine having some extra retirement money from being the CEO of "Dungeons and Dragons Inc." wouldn't hurt him or his family any, either.

 

[Lord Xtheth]

Whacha talkin 'bout?

 

[cougent]

A favorite of mine and still relevant even years later:

Gary Gygax Interview part 1

Gary Gygax Interview part 2

Check out part 2 bottom of page 2 to see how he felt about 3E, and how close it is to what is being said about 3E today... the man is not only a genius, he is precognitive.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Purely hypothetical as he no longer has any say in what happens to the game he created...What would Gary do to update to 4E?

Would he bring back old elements or theoretically would he take it in an entirely new direction?

Who gives a good Goddamn?

 

[Fifth Element]

He knows which game he prefers, just as you know which game you prefer. What's wrong with that? I prefer GURPS, but I do like playing D&D (any edition).

ASSUMING the quote about "let them play their little game" is accurate, the wrong is the dismissiveness and condescension. IF that quote is accurate, it shows a disdain for "other" systems. One can express a preference for one game without implying another is somehow lesser than one's favourite. That's arrogant and elitist.

That's the wrong.