11-20-2012, 07:25 PM
Since you started with 4E, I'm going to assume that you don't know much about the first 30 years of the game. Apologies if this is in error.
Gygax and Arneson are credited with creating the original D&D game back in 1974. This was before AD&D, 2E, 3E, and your 4E. Both of their styles are a little hard to define, even though folks use "Gygaxian" and "Arnesonian" regularly.
Arneson was the pioneer, converting a Napolionics game into middle-ages fantasy. His early adventures were dungeon crawls, and he essentially created this genre of adventure as well. The dungeons under Castle Blackmoor became legendary, but the campaign expanded outward to include the city of Blackmoor and the surrounding nations. Dave's games were said to be really wild with little rules structure and lots of gonzo action. Dave enjoyed mixing bits of technology with his fantasy, adding in things like Star Trek tricorders for his players to find.
Gygax was the "rules" guy, taking many of Arneson's ideas and crafting more structure than Dave's campaigns. Gygax also loved language, and reading his words often requires a thesaurus along the way. As with Dave's Blackmoor, Gary built dungeons for Greyhawk and a city of Greyhawk and a bunch of nations around the city for wilderness games. Gary's campaigns are better known because his material often got used for GenCon tournament play and eventually reworked into modules for sale. (This includes the G-series, D-series, S1 and T1, and others.)
Both men were known to be strict game masters in their own way. Stories of how each would punish the stupid player or disruptive player are pretty widespread. And if the dice said you were dead, you were dead.
I think in general the terms "Gygaxian" and "Arnesonian" are used mostly to imply a return to old-school gaming styles where rules were vague and consequences harsh. The adventures could be in dungeons or in an urban setting, on land or on the sea, but always were filled with dangers and rewards. That's the way I see it, at least. And I've played for a long time.
Just my two coppers.
Gygax and Arneson are credited with creating the original D&D game back in 1974. This was before AD&D, 2E, 3E, and your 4E. Both of their styles are a little hard to define, even though folks use "Gygaxian" and "Arnesonian" regularly.
Arneson was the pioneer, converting a Napolionics game into middle-ages fantasy. His early adventures were dungeon crawls, and he essentially created this genre of adventure as well. The dungeons under Castle Blackmoor became legendary, but the campaign expanded outward to include the city of Blackmoor and the surrounding nations. Dave's games were said to be really wild with little rules structure and lots of gonzo action. Dave enjoyed mixing bits of technology with his fantasy, adding in things like Star Trek tricorders for his players to find.
Gygax was the "rules" guy, taking many of Arneson's ideas and crafting more structure than Dave's campaigns. Gygax also loved language, and reading his words often requires a thesaurus along the way. As with Dave's Blackmoor, Gary built dungeons for Greyhawk and a city of Greyhawk and a bunch of nations around the city for wilderness games. Gary's campaigns are better known because his material often got used for GenCon tournament play and eventually reworked into modules for sale. (This includes the G-series, D-series, S1 and T1, and others.)
Both men were known to be strict game masters in their own way. Stories of how each would punish the stupid player or disruptive player are pretty widespread. And if the dice said you were dead, you were dead.
I think in general the terms "Gygaxian" and "Arnesonian" are used mostly to imply a return to old-school gaming styles where rules were vague and consequences harsh. The adventures could be in dungeons or in an urban setting, on land or on the sea, but always were filled with dangers and rewards. That's the way I see it, at least. And I've played for a long time.
Just my two coppers.
Marv / Finarvyn
Member of The Regency Council
Visit my Blackmoor OD&D board
OD&D since 1975
"Don't ask me what you need to hit. Just roll the die and I will let you know!"
- Dave Arneson
![[Image: Giladan.png]](http://rizak.info/PIX/Giladan.png)
Member of The Regency Council
Visit my Blackmoor OD&D board
OD&D since 1975
"Don't ask me what you need to hit. Just roll the die and I will let you know!"
- Dave Arneson