On writing about icons....
Mar. 6th, 2008 11:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
It was weirdly emotional to write about Gygax on 'Snark. I expected some emotion. In part, that's why I write remembrances like that -- they help me get my head around things that I feel strongly about.
But this one... it's like I tried to say in there. Gygax was too seminal to my life and my perception of roleplaying.
A few people have been upset that I brought up... well, 1982-86. But more seem glad to have a chance to remember all of Gygax, good and ill, and the impact he had on our world.
One person mentioned to me that her parents met playing AD&D first edition. This is a human life that wouldn't have existed before.
All in all, it was cathartic. Now, while I await my hard-won Dragon archive, a friend has loaned me his, and I'm steeping myself in old Dragon magazines.
Wormy really was one of the best fantasy comics, like, ever. Wasn't it?
But this one... it's like I tried to say in there. Gygax was too seminal to my life and my perception of roleplaying.
A few people have been upset that I brought up... well, 1982-86. But more seem glad to have a chance to remember all of Gygax, good and ill, and the impact he had on our world.
One person mentioned to me that her parents met playing AD&D first edition. This is a human life that wouldn't have existed before.
All in all, it was cathartic. Now, while I await my hard-won Dragon archive, a friend has loaned me his, and I'm steeping myself in old Dragon magazines.
Wormy really was one of the best fantasy comics, like, ever. Wasn't it?
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 04:57 pm (UTC)Yes.
I so wanted that collection, but Trampier just stopped.
Hmmm.
I REQUEST AND REQUIRE A WEBSNARK ON WORMY.
CU
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 05:01 pm (UTC)I'd add that I was also pleased to see the good and the bad. I got started in gaming when I was 10, back in '77 with MicroGames Chitin:I, then GEV and soon after OGRE. I was kind of annoyed that all the cool pocket games kept getting less shelf space for that 'Dungeons and Dragons' stuff. Then I picked up Gamma World, and it blew my fragile little mind.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 05:17 pm (UTC)And yes, WORMY was wonderful. CROSSWORLDS gives me some of that same feeling.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 05:19 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 07:20 pm (UTC)There was stretch of just a few golden issues where Fineous Fingers, Wormy and What's New with Phil and Dixie all appeared at the same time. It was wonderful.
After that height, as good as Snarfquest was, it just couldn't compete. For me, anyway.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 05:32 pm (UTC)*The creators went to college in PA, and when you're in school PHEAA is all sweetness and light, but man... they started calling me graduation day and wanting me to have my loans replayed. They were like loan sharks, but relentless.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 07:19 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 05:38 pm (UTC)grewgained levels. O:>(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 05:51 pm (UTC)See, as I noted over in
If that makes any sense. No warranty is expressed or implied. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 11:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-06 05:42 pm (UTC)Besides, would it really be appropriate to remember a seminal geek without remembering that he sometimes bungled human interactions?
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-07 12:01 am (UTC)I also remember the argument he had in the hallway near the Living City Interactive one year with Ed Greenwood. It wasn't loud, but everyone nearby heard it.
Without Gary, I'd have a very different life. I would be less socially adjusted, less able to control the urge to throttle stupid people, and far more likely to never have met the people I know now. (I might also have gotten a bit more action in HS, but hey, there's a tradeoff for everything.) I also wouldn't have the most awesome memory of my younger days (Having my cleric/assassin teach the party a lesson for abandoning my former character (A paladin) to die. TPK by the half-elf FTW!)
So, I understand the feeling of loss. Anyone who hasn't burned out on D&D will.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-07 03:53 pm (UTC)I'm glad you included the good and bad about Gary too.