TSR Rob Kuntz Recounts The Origins Of D&D

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In this interesting article from Kotaku, Rob Kuntz relates a history of early TSR that differs somewhat from the narrative we usually hear. It delves into the relationship between Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (D&D's co-creators) and the actual development of the game, which dates back to Arneson in 1971.

Dungeons & Deceptions: The First D&D Players Push Back On The Legend Of Gary Gygax

Everybody calls Rob Kuntz last, he says. Those who want to know about the history of Dungeons & Dragons start with co-creator Gary Gygax’s kids, one of Gygax’s biographers, or D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast. As they’re wrapping things up, they might get around to dialing up Kuntz, a...

kotaku.com

 

[AriochQ]

Often people ask me about your involvement in the process of all of this. I tend to be vague, because I can't hold all the interviews in my head fully. i just did a Podcast interview, where they wanted to talk about you. This is most likely because we interviewed you and used you in the film. I probably gave about the most vague non answer possible, but I felt I could not fully speak for you despite our extensive conversations over the years. Also, to explain your relationship with Gary is about a 2 hour story unto itself.

Unless you did another interview, here is the link to the one we did with you. We covered a lot of ground in no particular order...

 

[Rob Kuntz]

Unless you did another interview, here is the link to the one we did with you. We covered a lot of ground in no particular order...

A very fine interview with Griff. There were many, many moments where I wanted to interject and I and/or which prompted me to want to condense or explain things. Overall a very fine exchange for those interested in what we call RPGs.

 

[Rob Kuntz]

OK. My fifth ENWORLD column is finished at about 1,200 words. It is part 1 so I am into part 2 which will make a total of 6 installments to mail to Morrus to kick off my debut here as an author.

SO: 5th is BURMANIA! Part 1: Check Your Sanity at the Door
AND 6th (finishing): BURMANIA! Part 2: "Keep on Going!"

 

[kyuss]

The biographies of Gygax sold on Amazon tell a very different story.

In contrast, there's one unpublished biography of Arneson.

Arneson is the Bill Finger of D&D. Hardcore folks may know who he is, but the general public doesn't and may never know.

The general public doesn't know who Gygax is.

 

[Lanefan]

The general public doesn't know who Gygax is.

Don't be so sure about that, particularly among that portion of the general public of age over about 30.

Gygax transcended his own realm and entered the more general public consciousness, in the same way that people who couldn't care less about hockey have still heard of Wayne Gretzky, or those to whom golf might as well not exist still recognize the name Tiger Woods for who it is.

 

[Rob Kuntz]

All six (6) lead ENWorld columns are finished as of today/ Lots of origin history. stories and insights in these. They really cover what was the Lake Geneva Original Campaign, otherwise a grouping of LGTSA endeavors
concentrated and centralized around what Gary and I were doing and with ample help from Terry Kuntz, Jeff Perren, Don Kaye, Mike Reese and from there it grew and grew of course into TSR. It's been an interesting and event filled 51 year ride for me and I hope to continue sharing more about that here and elsewhere

BTW--I am ordering the column essays with the massive amount of illo files for Morrus, but am taking a wee break today for it is my birthday. As one of my Infamous players always said: "Keep on Going..."

 

[Nilonym]

BTW--I am ordering the column essays with the massive amount of illo files for Morrus, but am taking a wee break today for it is my birthday.

Looking forward to the reading these. What are "illo files"? I did some light Googling with no luck. Adobe Illustrator?

 

[Rob Kuntz]

Looking forward to the reading these. What are "illo files"? I did some light Googling with no luck. Adobe Illustrator?

Illustrations (files), there are 19 used over the 6 installments (some quite rare). Organized as of today, just about to submit txt and illos to Morrus. Thanks!

 

[Hussar]

Heh. Stop teasing and get to publishing.

 

[Rob Kuntz]

Heh. Stop teasing and get to publishing.

Not like I got anything else to do, Oh wait! I do publish. Doh!