Okay the analogy is a bit over the top for me, but the article is pretty nice. It is also great seeing someone else writing about Dave Arneson. Worth a read. :)

http://hexcellency.blogspot.no/2016/03/ ... -city.html

-Havard

The Kentner story is bollocks.

The author "heard" it, yeah? Well, where? - Even under the very restrictive US copyright law, nominative fair use is generally permitted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominative_use


Now, as with other projects, like "The Great Kingdom" documentary, a few years back, he might have to plan the payment of a legal counselor into his budget for the project; if he is unwilling, or unable to do that, then, yes, posturing and scare stories, by whomever spouts them, will surely be enough to intimidate him.

But the story itself, likely complete nonsense. I don't play that card often, but I work in a field where I have to deal with stuff like that quite frequently; not so much because this was a business reality, but because many of my clients believe in this kind of urban myths. And I've said this a couple of times when we here were more involved with Kentner's efforts: I don't know who counsels Kentner at the moment, but he needs way, way more professional support than the people that he seems to have around him right now.

This is the first I've heard about Dragons in the Basement . . .

And now I am sad that it has not come out yet . . .

Interesting article. I pretty much agree with the author's premise, but surprised by the comparison to Jesus and Saint Paul.

Living in Florida, I was too far away to get interviewed for "Dragons in the Basement" back about 10 years ago when they did the interviews. I remember Dave A. saying he was having trouble getting Kentner to finish the project.

Yes, it's sad that mainstream interest in the development of OD&D took so long to become so popular because the longer we wait the harder it is to unearth the actual events or first-hand accounts. Thank goodness that guys like Jon Peterson have the resources to make a serious study of the subject.

Dunno how Dave should compare to Jesus, but I will say that in the few conversations I had with him I was amazed at his creativity and enthusiasm. The only game designer I can think of who might have compared to Dave was Erick Wujcik, and Erick had a hard time getting his ideas organized and published, too. (Not to take anything from Gary, you understand; we all know what Gary contributed to the hobby.)

I share that sentiment; I am myself guilty of making rather flamboyant announcements, here and there. In this case, though, as with a series of documentaries on early D&D, hiring an external - and professional - producer would be the key, to end what seems to boil down to procedural difficulties, and apparent procrastination.

I live in Germany, and so am out of the question for such a job, but any even half-competent content manager/media consultant can work wonders with such material - wonders that monetarize pretty easily, if that's the principal interest, as well.