TSR Whatever Happened To TSR's Michael?

[Charlaquin]

Yeah, I'm not really expecting my comments above--or anyone else's--to result in anything productive from TSR(3). And I don't much care; even if they hadn't burned every bridge under the sun, I doubt I'd be interested in buying what they're selling.

I don’t think they’re even selling anything. Seems like the business model is still to get other creators to pay them to put the TSR logo on their products. Which is going to be hard to do given no one wants anything to do with them any more.

 

[Charlaquin]

He's talking about the "TSR Michael" parody account on Twitter.

Oh, gotcha.

 

[Mannahnin]

I don’t think they’re even selling anything. Seems like the business model is still to get other creators to pay them to put the TSR logo on their products. Which is going to be hard to do given no one wants anything to do with them any more.

Oh, they plan to sell overpriced dice and merchandise with the logos.

And pricy tickets to play in games run by Ernie and other Legends at the hobby shop.

 

[Umbran]

Yes. Don't.

....

There are much better and more worthy causes that can consume our time and energy.

You spent more time condemning them than it would take to offer productive advice, so you clearly have the time if you want to help someone out.

Folks, let us not start casting judgements on each other for our reactions to this. There was some ugly stuff months ago, and we now have an account that has not bothered to interact with Morrus to prove its provenance. If you let that get between you, you are handing the trolls a miraculous win.

 

[TSR-Hobbies]

So, this was a post about how this was Michael's opportunity to step up. To actually apologize where Ernie didn't. To name who was posting as Ernie instead of just saying "someone". To actually post on the Discord that he was posting here to prove that he's the real guy as he has been claiming. But in the middle of editing that post, I got blocked and now the quotes are screwed up and I can't fix them.

Weird move for a PR guy. Oh well.

My mistake, I won't be using my phone to try to keep up anymore.

I didn't see any message from you on Discord. I'll drop a note in off-topic.

 

[TSR-Hobbies]

Lmao he blocked me!

Was my mistake, I fat fingered on my phone.

 

[TSR-Hobbies]

He blocked me, too. Only my second time being blocked (as far as I can tell), and both of them were by trolls.

Was my mistake, I fat fingered on my phone.

 

[BookTenTiger]

@TSR-Hobbies what is your stance on inclusion in our hobby? What is TSR3's official stance? There were some ugly anti-inclusive statements made by members of your team only a few months ago.

 

[Dausuul]

are we though?

Yeah, not really "up in arms." That implies a level of engagement that the situation no longer warrants. At this point it's more like "up in ulnas" or maybe "up in left ring fingers."

...Though, on reflection, a different finger might be more appropriate to describe the situation here.

 

[Sacrosanct]

@TSR-Hobbies what is your stance on inclusion in our hobby? What is TSR3's official stance? There were some ugly anti-inclusive statements made by members of your team only a few months ago.

I don't think there is any question where they stand. This was just a few days ago. Is it official TSR3? No, but I think history has shown without a doubt that TSR3 and Justin the person cannot be separated.

Mod Edit: The image here was definitely not appropriate. ~Umbran

 

[Gradine]

There is just so much to unpack there....

 

[Sacrosanct]

There is just so much to unpack there....

Yeah.

This might just be my opinion based on what I've seen, but I feel confident in saying we know who they are. To quote the famous Dennis Green rant:

They not only have no intent or desire to apologize, or take a different approach, on other gaming forums, they are the victims. That's the role they are embracing.

Don't get me wrong, I do sincerely believe people can change. I did, so I have to think anyone can. But they don't want to change. Instead they are doubling down.

So I don't know where you stand Michael of TSR3, but you're in a no-win position. You're in a position via the job you have defending abhorrent behavior your client insists on repeating, and nothing you say will be taken seriously as long as they keep doing it. I don't know if you agree with these behaviors, but if not, it seems an awfully strange job to take.

 

[TSR-Hobbies]

@TSR-Hobbies what is your stance on inclusion in our hobby? What is TSR3's official stance? There were some ugly anti-inclusive statements made by members of your team only a few months ago.

My personal stance is I hope everyone can find the joy and love in gaming that I have. I have never turned anyone away from the beginning of a gaming session, and I have met many friends through the hobby. I still have friends I met in Everquest, and I think that our hobby, and community, is capable of forging great relationships through our common love of gaming.

TSR-Hobbies:
This is one of the reasons we use #PlayAsYouWish because it is a completely inclusive and universal term. We want everyone to be able to play as they wish. When we make a game and it’s in your hands, we don’t have any more say in how you choose to play it.

 

[Umbran]

This was just a few days ago.

Mod Note:

What the heck? What on Oerth made you think that was appropriate to post on these boards? That someone else said it, or that you feel it was "evidence" does not mean it is fair game to put such inappropriate gunk here. Use better judgement, please and thank you.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Let me preface this by saying that I am trying to speak in good faith here. I've worked in Communications and had to do damage control across social media. It is not pleasant and regaining that trust can seem next to impossible. Sometimes the best you can do is show that you're trying to do better, that you are listening to people's concerns.

This is why it is not enough to say everyone is welcome.

I have booted people from the table for a variety of reasons. Sexism, monkeywrenching, cheating, posting racist memes in chat to name a few. Because if you allow bad actors to continue to play how they want at the table, you are going to see the good players leave. For example, if you make space for a bigot or a player that always rolls that nat 20 when they need it, the table becomes their space. Good players will eventually get fed up and leave, and you'll be stuck with just the bad.

My personal stance is I hope everyone can find the joy and love in gaming that I have. I have never turned anyone away from the beginning of a gaming session, and I have met many friends through the hobby. I still have friends I met in Everquest, and I think that our hobby, and community, is capable of forging great relationships through our common love of gaming.

TSR-Hobbies:
This is one of the reasons we use #PlayAsYouWish because it is a completely inclusive and universal term. We want everyone to be able to play as they wish. When we make a game and it’s in your hands, we don’t have any more say in how you choose to play it.

 

[Umbran]

This is why it is not enough to say everyone is welcome.

Agreed. It is a Popper's Paradox thing - if you tolerate intolerance and bigotry, your space becomes intolerant and bigoted.

 

[BookTenTiger]

My personal stance is I hope everyone can find the joy and love in gaming that I have. I have never turned anyone away from the beginning of a gaming session, and I have met many friends through the hobby. I still have friends I met in Everquest, and I think that our hobby, and community, is capable of forging great relationships through our common love of gaming.

TSR-Hobbies:
This is one of the reasons we use #PlayAsYouWish because it is a completely inclusive and universal term. We want everyone to be able to play as they wish. When we make a game and it’s in your hands, we don’t have any more say in how you choose to play it.

I appreciate the attitude, but can you specifically address the anti-trans comments made by people associated with your company?

What is your company doing in order to promote inclusivity in gaming?

 

[billd91]

My personal stance is I hope everyone can find the joy and love in gaming that I have. I have never turned anyone away from the beginning of a gaming session, and I have met many friends through the hobby. I still have friends I met in Everquest, and I think that our hobby, and community, is capable of forging great relationships through our common love of gaming.

TSR-Hobbies:
This is one of the reasons we use #PlayAsYouWish because it is a completely inclusive and universal term. We want everyone to be able to play as they wish. When we make a game and it’s in your hands, we don’t have any more say in how you choose to play it.

There are a lot of players who say that - that they've never turned anybody away from the table. And that may be true. But that's different from taking the effort to welcome people and be welcoming when they don't fit the traditional demographics of a gamer. Without that effort, someone may see the convention center ballroom/game store/or even single game table surrounded by somewhat doughy white men and not interpret that as "approachable" if they don't match the demographic.

And that's why something like #PlayAsYouWish isn't enough. It's a passive, least effort slogan on TSR-Hobbies's part. And it's nowhere near enough in light of Ernie's statements. You have fences to mend by making heartfelt apologies for those. Low effort hashtag slacktivism isn't going to do that work.

 

[Rob Kuntz]

I say he achieved martyrdom for his efforts and was promptly returned to the Abyss! Hey, anything's possible...

 

[TSR-Hobbies]

I appreciate the attitude, but can you specifically address the anti-trans comments made by people associated with your company?

What is your company doing in order to promote inclusivity in gaming?

The individual that made those tweets is no longer with TSR.

Ernie addressed the Trans Community directly in this press release.

TSR Appoints New Public Relations Officer; Responds to Social Media Mismanagement - PR.com

TSR has replaced the individual that was serving as both social media manager and information technology manager for TSR and The Dungeon Hobby Shop Museum.

www.pr.com