tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post1873261458517790843..comments2024-03-22T02:46:36.248-07:00Comments on Playing at the World: When Dungeons & Dragons Turns 40Jon Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09824427209908111302noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-31386759589964746862014-02-04T10:58:14.297-08:002014-02-04T10:58:14.297-08:00Hi. Your great research is reaching us Japanese D&...Hi. Your great research is reaching us Japanese D&D fans.<br />Recently I've read an article, Gary Gygax 'ON DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Origins of the Game' in Dragon#7(p.7). Here he said ---<br /> The idea of measured progression (experience points) and the addition of games taking place in a dungeon maze struck me as being very desireable. However, that did not really fit in the framework of CHAINMAIL. I asked Dave to please send me his rules additions, for I thought a whole new system should be developed. A few weeks after his visit I received 18 or so handwritten pages of rules and notes pertaining to his campaign, and I immediately began work on a brand new manuscript. “Greyhawk” campaign started -- the first D&D campaign!<br /> About three weeks later, I had some 100 typewritten pages, and we began serious play-testing in Lake Geneva, while copies were sent to the Twin Cities and to several other groups for comment. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS had been born.<br />--- I suppose, if we could identify the date (or dates) that Gygax stated there the birth of D&D, we would get the birth day of D&D. Or if the day they "began serious play-testing in Lake Geneva" means the your suggested day "when Gary invited the world to drop by his house", this article above strengthen the validity of that date.<br /><br />Anyway, gratz on our wonderful 40th anniversary!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-33551787010264727342014-01-28T11:59:39.929-08:002014-01-28T11:59:39.929-08:00It was Auckland (hehe, Orcland) Anniversary day he...It was Auckland (hehe, Orcland) Anniversary day here in New Zealand. Which meant an old school D&D game in the afternoon and a huge dungeon crawl in the evening.<br /><br />http://hitstokill.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/dungeons-dragons-40th-anniversary.htmlDarcy Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02385198563203931754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-36812319315830137722014-01-25T17:46:04.487-08:002014-01-25T17:46:04.487-08:00This is such an excellent article, Jon. While I do...This is such an excellent article, Jon. While I don't have a copy of The Original game, I will be fondly re-reading my first copy of DnD today (Red Box). The 26th is Australia Day, and while a public holiday is a mighty opportunity for a game, most of my mates are at a convention today - blast!Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01738503634118594520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-64114662518763592242014-01-25T16:39:04.475-08:002014-01-25T16:39:04.475-08:00Aha. Thanks for the info!Aha. Thanks for the info!blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05430444326700437630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-89955234729740343812014-01-24T22:26:50.628-08:002014-01-24T22:26:50.628-08:00He means "combat resolution tables" (CRT...He means "combat resolution tables" (CRTs) for wargaming, based on polyhedral dice. The CRTs shipped with Avalon Hill or SPI wargames invariably relied exclusively on d6s, though some fan efforts had considered other number ranges.Jon Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824427209908111302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-15984919092087758562014-01-24T20:10:24.107-08:002014-01-24T20:10:24.107-08:00What CRTs is EGG referring to in this June 1973 le...What CRTs is EGG referring to in this June 1973 letter?blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05430444326700437630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-33284689439938966842014-01-22T20:58:30.717-08:002014-01-22T20:58:30.717-08:00I had no idea when I played it in 1974 in college ...I had no idea when I played it in 1974 in college that it was brand new. I'd played Avalon Hill war games a lot before that but was introduced to miniatures and then D&D in the spring of 74. Neat to read this. I still have all of my old stuff but haven't played in forever.Hobbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07813051489504513524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-8177038751103174842014-01-11T11:32:37.037-08:002014-01-11T11:32:37.037-08:00I do approve of making a social media splash on th...I do approve of making a social media splash on the 26th, definitely!Jon Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824427209908111302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-86227383548559019382014-01-10T15:43:43.548-08:002014-01-10T15:43:43.548-08:00Hiya,
I thought you might like to know that I did...Hiya,<br /><br />I thought you might like to know that I didn't like the idea of the anniversary sailing past unmarked. I've set up this Thunderclap so that some gamers might all tweet to celebrate the birthday. <br /><br />If you approve then I'd love your support in promoting the idea!<br />http://www.geeknative.com/43518/celebrate-birthday-modern-roleplaying/Andrew Girdwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09402619137250257058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-92070513552294237052014-01-02T12:44:14.158-08:002014-01-02T12:44:14.158-08:00"Now, with the fortieth anniversary nearly up..."Now, with the fortieth anniversary nearly upon us, a burning question arises: when exactly should we celebrate?"<br /><br />All. Freakin'. Year.<br /><br />:-)Grumpy Old Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11087904102183244773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-77618416277486855232014-01-01T12:53:45.017-08:002014-01-01T12:53:45.017-08:00I'm running a 24-hour noon, 25 Jan to noon, 26...I'm running a 24-hour noon, 25 Jan to noon, 26 Jan marathon D&D game in honour of my youthful exuberance.Legionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14743073987491198533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-67614167803945183742013-12-30T03:12:57.701-08:002013-12-30T03:12:57.701-08:00The 26th January is additionally suitable as it...The 26th January is additionally suitable as it's also the day that GenCon tickets go on sale.David Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16015820493607432219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-60461180494984787342013-12-30T00:38:02.756-08:002013-12-30T00:38:02.756-08:00Okay, I see what you're saying. Those of us w...Okay, I see what you're saying. Those of us who were actual GREYHAWK players got to get our copies early. Jan. 1974 matches my memory for "official" release. Can't release without your merchandise! Well, at least back then you couldn't.<br /><br />And we thought Gary and Don were STARK RAVING INSANE for printing 1000 copies. We thought that would be a ten year supply.<br />Michael (Gronan) Mornardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09581843850302136770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-34111356098658976942013-12-21T10:40:08.639-08:002013-12-21T10:40:08.639-08:00This is great!
I've added it to my Best Read...This is great! <br /><br />I've added it to my Best Reads of the Week series I've been doing to help draw attention to some of the best stuff I've run across. You're welcome to check it out at the following link:<br /><br />http://dyverscampaign.blogspot.com/2013/12/best-reads-of-week-december-7-20.htmlDyvershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06032957275132817602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-46415038020518524442013-12-20T13:48:58.910-08:002013-12-20T13:48:58.910-08:00Certainly, as I say in the post there's some u...Certainly, as I say in the post there's some unavoidable ambiguity about what it means for a game to be "out." I wouldn't find it at all implausible that components for the game were available to the publishers, and their close friends, very early in January, perhaps even before the New Year. But what we're trying to capture in any anniversary, I think, is when the game was "generally available" - like when it would be possible for a member of the general public to acquire a copy. For the reasons stated above, I think it's reasonable to suspect that was later in the month. But sure, you insiders probably got to dip into this before us common plebs could have joined in. ;)Jon Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824427209908111302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-58077243274378463932013-12-20T13:35:47.677-08:002013-12-20T13:35:47.677-08:00Psssst....
I came home from the U of MN in Christ...Psssst....<br /><br />I came home from the U of MN in Christmas Break after Fall Semester 1973, and got a copy of D&D from Gary in his basement. The stickers weren't attached yet.<br /><br />I think Christmas break lasted until the first week of January, but the University archives should be able to tell you.<br /><br />SO, the actual delivery date of the pallet of printed games was late December 1973.Michael (Gronan) Mornardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09581843850302136770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-60957516637851744262013-12-19T10:37:49.297-08:002013-12-19T10:37:49.297-08:00My mom has the original set that was released with...My mom has the original set that was released with a copyright of 1974 there is a preface in the front of the book that says Nov 1 1973 Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11996096114743575208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-82063895519604381342013-12-16T03:42:26.788-08:002013-12-16T03:42:26.788-08:00Will add this to Zappadan in my mythology. Thanks,...Will add this to Zappadan in my mythology. Thanks, Jon.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00310118896949396274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-23091959891105187602013-12-15T21:25:54.366-08:002013-12-15T21:25:54.366-08:00Right you are, corrected!Right you are, corrected!Jon Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09824427209908111302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-14180261095573455272013-12-15T20:21:24.143-08:002013-12-15T20:21:24.143-08:00Minor typo/thinko above: the Lurvey letter must be...Minor typo/thinko above: the Lurvey letter must be 1974, not 1973, correct? (Paragraph after the release announcement image)Adam Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06368676086759298705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688079707543352822.post-28831445596272571282013-12-15T17:26:10.176-08:002013-12-15T17:26:10.176-08:00A fine date and well-researched. As compensation ...A fine date and well-researched. As compensation for living at the edge of the world, I'll be celebrating D&D's birthday ahead of most readers - so if I am not heard from on the 26th, please remember to check for traps before proceeding!Derrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02139619999533346131noreply@blogger.com