I was a little surprised to not see a thread regarding this week's passing of D&D's founder Gary Gygax. The man was the creative force behind the original evolution of D&D, and while the game mechanics and creative drive behind the game has changed significantly from what was he offered, some of the core concepts survive and I dare say will always be present. Some of the novel ideas about gaming he offered:
No clear beginning or end: Imagine playing another game, say Monopoly, and not defining explicitly how the game must start or end. D&D is fluid and dynamic, and the pieces are set and moved to establish certain scenarios, then the game is put into motiion for the experience of the moment. Sure campaigns begin and end, and players come and go, but like life it is ever-evolving and never-ending.
No winners or losers: The point of D&D is not to compete to a conclusion and declare a victor. The game is simply played for the enjoyment of the moments that pass, and all share equally in the witnessing of those moments.
No rules: That's right, all those books are not rulebooks, they are reference tomes. They suggest a framework which establishes a balance, but no rule is cast in stone. DM's and players can agree to adopt them entirely, modify them, or dismiss them entirely, and inasmuch as it creates opportunity for a shared adventure, nothing is off limits. This point was of particular important to Gygax who wrote very passionately in the foreward of the orignal DM's guide not to let the tedium of rules get in the way of good adventure, and to feel free to change anything to foster creativity (a point that all to often is ignored).
Role Playing: ALFA takes it to a level beyond what Gygax did, or at least he did when I saw him play, but the mere idea of interacting with a fantasy world as an entirely different being was not something seen in a structured game environment. Sure playground games of acting out heroic scenarios happened, but Gygax put structure and purpose to it.
DMing: Placing one participant in the role of story teller and entrusting the rules to this person to challenge the other players to create adventure, this was also novel. The DM is not just a referee as in other games, but another role player charged with creating the fantasy world and the scenarios which lead to adventure.
And nearly 30 years and millions of fans later, here we are. We take these inventive concepts for granted now, but at its inception it was quite novel. Let us all give moment to pause and reflect on the creativity and passion of the man that gives rise to much of what you do here.
Thanks Mr. Gygax. I have little doubt that wherever you are you are armed with a D20 telling stories and sharing adventure.
Gary Gygax
Moderator: ALFA Administrators
Gary Gygax
Duck One
Some guy who used to do some work 'round here.
Some guy who used to do some work 'round here.
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JaydeMoon
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Um... yeah.
It's only in off-topic because that's where the first person to post it was. someone else posted here, but then removed their post when they saw the other post.
I liken this to the 2 minute rule, where you don't jump in on a conversation you happen upon until at least two minutes...
If your gonna post on something that the community probably had something to say about, be more thorough in your lurking.
Regardless, well spoken.
Um... yeah.
It's only in off-topic because that's where the first person to post it was. someone else posted here, but then removed their post when they saw the other post.
I liken this to the 2 minute rule, where you don't jump in on a conversation you happen upon until at least two minutes...
If your gonna post on something that the community probably had something to say about, be more thorough in your lurking.
Regardless, well spoken.