Gary Gygax Dungeon Master Calling It Art Dragonsfoot Pretentious

If he isn't the most influential person in the world of RPGs, Gary Gygax certainly belongs in the pantheon of the giants of the genre. He started out past writing his own pen-and-newspaper games during the belatedly 1960s and early 1970s and went on to revolutionize gaming with his interest in the cosmos of Dungeons & Dragons.

Now, Gary Gygax is looking to bridge the gap betwixt gap between pen and keyboard past throwing his Lejendary Adventure pen-and-newspaper RPG into the MMOG ring (currently being produced by Dreams Interactive). Ion Storm projection director Harvey Smith, being an RPG fan of both electronic and paper varieties, seemed like a natural -- and very willing -- volunteer to talk to Gary about RPGs, MMOGs, and the transition from pen-and-paper to mouse and monitor.

Harvey: First off, this is a surreal experience. RPG's take been a huge role of my life. I started playing on the night of my 11th altogether (in 1977), during a weeklong winter camp. I had heard a lot well-nigh D&D, and at that first game I was immediately hooked on the creativity, esprit and fun. I still play in a weekly grouping. Over the years, I've played just almost all the major paper RPG'southward. At the same time, video gaming has been a tremendous part of my life. So it brings me a certain corporeality of pleasure to comport this interview.

The screenshots and concept art for The Lejendary Adventures Online RPG look proficient. The time seems right to launch your MMPOG. The commercial success of The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring cannot be denied, non to mention the success of EverQuest. Are yous happy with the game so far?

	Gary Gygax

Gary: As nosotros spent several months discussing the shape of the Lejendary Run a risk RPG online before concluding a deal with Dreams-Interactive, I must say that we share the same vision, and then I am indeed pleased. Of class right at present there is not much game to look at. Withal, nosotros have the systems and mechanics pretty well fix for alpha testing, then soon the shape volition be changing, a lot of course, equally all the usual glitches and kinks in a pattern and graphic presentation are discovered and ironed out.

Harvey: How involved are y'all with the LA online RPG on a daily basis?

Gary: That varies. Early on in discussions with D-I, I was very involved, then came a period where I was feeding them information, getting textile back. Merely now they are working on a new and larger demo, and then I am standing by. When that demo is completed, I'll exist busy again. Concurrently I have plenty of pen-and-paper game work to take care of.

Harvey: Chris Crawford (who is either a grandmaster designer of the reckoner game or the manufacture's village idiot, depending on who yous talk to) in one case said something brilliantly ahead of its time near the mistakes inherently involved with translating a game from one medium to some other (specifically electronic) medium. His example was Poker, but obviously this is relevant to discussions about translating RPG's into computer form. Any thoughts?

Gary: From the above, I'd say Chris is a grandmaster designer. Ignore the fact that I am sometimes referred to as the village idiot also:) The analogy to poker is apt, for what happens when that game is translated to the electronic media is similar to the transition of the game-mastered pen-and-newspaper RPG to the online format. I have spent a fair bit of time discussing this subject with D-I, and in that location is no doubt that there volition be changes in the LA game when it comes upward as a MMPORPG. What is exciting to me is that even as sure rules and systems modify thus, there will be new and very interesting ones replacing them. The basics of the pen-and-paper game won't change, and the "soul" volition be the same, but the new medium and format will accept innovations and new aspects that I am sure will be virtually appealing...and prevent common abuses besides.

Harvey: What do you think a traditional game designer game guy brings to the computer/console game development process? Are there skills that transfer (and skills that don't)? Has at that place been a lot for yous to learn or would you say there's more unlearning to do?

Gary: Well, at that place's a tough question. First, many a developer has told me my original designs were smashing in that they were presented very much the aforementioned mode that they outlined their material for an electronic game. Later that'south said, though, there are considerable differences in the scope of what can be done in the two media, and how to deal with the bug peculiar to each.

I must add that the basis for the LA RPG was a arrangement I designed for a computer game that almost went into production. That's why the LA game is as it is, rules-light and with but a few stats.

Anyway, there has been some learning for me in regards the problems of the MMP game, just they are non of the "unlearning" sort, rather how to think in regards to the strengths and weaknesses of the medium. It goes without saying that the expertise of the D-I team has fabricated the study a pretty easy one so far. Likely my feel in working on a few CRPG's, and before that working with the Marvel team on the D&D Drawing Prove, where I had creative control of the scripts, has helped me a lot in being flexible and profitable with problem solutions.

Harvey: RPG'due south oft split people into several camps, sometimes polarized between those players more than interested in interactive storytelling and those players more interested in killing monsters and collecting treasure. At that place're besides people who play for the interesting tactical challenges, seeing the game every bit an extended board game. And then, of grade, at that place are those of us who enjoy all three. Have you had the chance to play the LA Online RPG nevertheless? (Is it stable enough withal?) How do you see the game surround shaping up? How heavily does it cater to each of the histrion types described to a higher place?

Gary: Insightful, that question, and allow me comment on it a flake earlier answering.

I do not, and I stress NOT, believe that the RPG is "storytelling" in the way that is usually presented. If at that place is a story to exist told, it comes from the interaction of all participants, not simply the Game Master--who should not a "Storyteller" but a narrator and co-player! The players are not acting out roles designed for them by the GM, they are acting in character to create the story, and that tale is told as the game unfolds, and as directed by their actions, with random factors that even the GM can't predict possibly altering the course of things. Storytelling is what novelists, screenwriters, and playwrights practise. It has fiddling or no connection to the RPG, which differs in all aspects from the entertainment forms such authors create for.

As fake to the game form every bit the pre-scripted "story," is play that has little more in it than seek and destroy missions, vacuous effort where the participants fight and kill some monster and so as to gain more power and thus be able to look for nonetheless more potent opponents in a spiral that leads nowhere save eventual boredom. So pure hack and slash play is anathema to me too.

Tactical, and strategic, play is a fine addition to the RPG, and if it is in-character, something I encounter equally desirable, In this category fall such things as exploration, economics, politics, and even intrigue.

The LA RPG was designed to accommodate any and all styles and play approaches, and hopefully so presented equally to encourage an amalgam of all the elements of the game class. That encourages varied adventures, different challenges from time to time, and well-rounded characters (and players) that find the game has long-term interest for them. In brusque, I agree with y'all in that all aspects of the RPG should be presented and played.

Now, as to the LA MMPO game, I accept not yet had the opportunity to really get into anything like what actual online play volition exist. Nosotros have discussed that a proficient bit, naturally, and before long I expect to be adventuring almost with an Avatar in more than only a general surroundings, as has been the case upwards until now. What is specially exciting to me almost that is the new facets of play that volition be presented thus, things not now contained in the LA pen-and-paper game.

Harvey: How would you lot sum up the unique vibe of LA? What makes it special, when compared to other FRPG's?

Gary: The LA game organisation is rules-light, uses a skill-bundle ground and offers players the opportunity to create nearly any sort of Avatar they desire. There are "Orders" reflecting archetypes, or the player tin select Abilities (skill bundles) as desired to get a very unique character. Mechanics are piece of cake and straightforward. In all the game allows play of any sort desired, with emphasis on the office-play involved, not the rules. That makes it fun to GM and to play. Because it is adaptable to any style other than rules-lawyering, advancement is made on the basis of active participation in the chance, not what one kills or loots. Overall, I call up it fair to say that no other game plays like the LA one does.

kochflooked1997.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2934/the_dungeon_master_an_interview_.php