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Who thinks Cryptic should create in game tributes to Gary Gygax and Dave Arnesson?

aandrethegiantaandrethegiant Member Posts: 3,369 Arc User
edited March 2013 in General Discussion (PC)
March 4, 2008, the D&D gaming world changed forever, as the game master himself failed his final saving throw.

Let's come up with ideas how they can tribute D&D game masters (and creators) Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, in game. Neverwinter Online would never have existed, nor would millions of fans throughout the decades, around the world have a clue what dungeons and dragons were, besides what they say on TV and in books.

It's high time someone in Cryptic, recognized these two giants of humanity, and memorialize them forever, in Neverwinter.

I was thinking of a quiet garden, with a small river. Stones turned reveal legendary quotes from these two men, leading up to two giant statues... Upon leaving the instance you are buffed with an xp boost, as well as a random buff which lasts for 3 hours.

Lets get our creative minds flowin' boys & girls!!!


Dave-Arneson.jpg

Dave Arneson.

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E. Gary Gygax.

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Post edited by aandrethegiant on
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  • aandrethegiantaandrethegiant Member Posts: 3,369 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    Here's a writeup I did on April 13, 2009 for the DDO community, honoring Mr Arneson.

    R.I.P. Dave Arneson
    (Roleplay in Peace.)


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    David L. Arneson, born October 1, 1947 in Minnesota, is an American game designer who co-created the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game with Gary Gygax in the early 1970s.

    He is a University of Minnesota alumnus, and began working on role-playing games at Coffman Union. He has kept a relatively low profile and has been called an "unsung legend" in the early development of role-playing games.

    In 1984 Arneson was inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design's Hall of Fame and in 1999 was named by Pyramid magazine as one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, "at least in the realm of adventure gaming".

    In 1969, Arneson was a history student at the University of Minnesota and working part time as a security guard. Arneson attended the Gen Con gaming convention for the first time in August 1969, which was only its second annual meeting (still primarily a wargaming only convention). It was at this Gen Con that he met Gary Gygax who had founded the Castle & Crusade Society in the International Federation of Wargamers in the 1960s at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, not far from Arneson's home in Minnesota. They also shared an interest in sailing ship games and co-authored the Don't Give Up The Ship! naval battle rules, published in 1972 by Guidon Games.


    Originally Arneson played his own mix of rules, using rock, paper, scissors to resolve combat. Later he adapted a set of rules intended for conducting naval combat. These rules had an armor class system like that which would be used later in D&D. In particular, the higher the armor class, the harder the ship (or creature) was to hit.

    Arneson later dabbled with the Chainmail rules, written by Gygax and Jeff Perren, but found them lacking. He wrote his own rules in his own play, applying his own to his role-playing game scenarios and brought in his own rules. But Chainmail was on a similar track to what Arneson had in mind, combining fantasy elements with real-world rules. In 1970, Arneson began to create a game that involved medieval miniatures exploring the dungeons of a castle inhabited by fantastic monsters.


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    Arneson thought that Gygax would be interested in role-playing, as he was already a game-maker with similar interests, and played the game with Gygax at Gen Con 1971. They then worked together on the game, with Gygax developing supplemental rules and adding other fantasy elements.


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    The game that evolved was Blackmoor, which modern players of D&D would describe as a campaign setting, not a complete game. The gameplay would now be recognizable to players of Dungeons & Dragons, featuring the use of fixed hit points and armor class, character development (levels and experience points), and dungeon crawls. The setting was also fleshed-out over time. In the early 1970s, Arneson's gaming group in Minnesota began the "Blackmoor" campaign and has continued to play to the present.

    After phone and mail design collaboration, Gygax and Arneson wanted to publish the game, later called "The Fantasy Game," but Arneson could not afford to invest in the venture. After a couple of failed attempts to get "The Fantasy Game" published, Brian Blume provided funding to publish the original Dungeons & Dragons set in 1974, which became a sold-out success. "Blackmoor" became one of the first two major settings for the game, and the Blackmoor supplement was the second supplement to the game, produced in 1975.


    In 1979, Arneson filed the first lawsuit (of five) against Gygax and TSR Hobbies (D&D's publisher) over crediting and royalties on later adapted versions of Dungeons & Dragons. Arneson left D&D/TSR and they resolved the suits out of court in 1981, but this did not end the lingering tensions between them. The court documents are confidential and neither party may talk about the issues involved. It was resolved, however, that would be credited as "co-creators" on the packaging of D&D ever since.


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  • chili1179chili1179 Member Posts: 1,511 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    I agree, they should.
    There is a rumor floating around that I am working on a new foundry quest. It was started by me.
  • deads6667deads6667 Member, Neverwinter Beta Users Posts: 112 Bounty Hunter
    edited March 2013
    whoever said that gambling thread was the worst idea yet hadnt seen this one...

    youre right people wouldnt know what dungeons and dragons are but wed still have this game today only itd be called Crypts and Hydras. whats with the lawsuits against each other? clearly 1 of them wasnt such a great person as they tried to rob the other...
  • aandrethegiantaandrethegiant Member Posts: 3,369 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    deads6667 wrote: »
    whoever said that gambling thread was the worst idea yet hadnt seen this one...

    youre right people wouldnt know what dungeons and dragons are but wed still have this game today only itd be called Crypts and Hydras. whats with the lawsuits against each other? clearly 1 of them wasnt such a great person as they tried to rob the other...

    Most of us long timers know and understand the history Deads. In many great works of art where creativity and boundless energy is absorbed, including money, human nature unfortunately brings out some of our dark side. When you are dealing with a major company who employs both entities, common everyday business etiquette formalities can become quite strained.

    What's most important to me, is that finally these disagreements were resolved in favor of both parties and families. They both moved on in their lives with dignity and honor, and it is the way they should and will be remembered.

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  • ironzerg79ironzerg79 Member, Neverwinter Moderator, NW M9 Playtest Posts: 4,942 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    They should honor these two by working on more playable classes for launch ;)

    /ducks
    "Meanwhile in the moderator's lounge..."
    i7TZDZK.gif?1
  • viledeeds77#8676 viledeeds77 Member Posts: 393 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    I agree that they should both be honored in some way in the game. I like your idea Aandre, another idea that comes to mind for me would be a shrine/ catherdral that upon entering you find the quiet garden. There could be items that upon interacting with them you could learn more about both of them, once you used/ found all the things you can learn you receive an XP boost say 5% for an hour and a small buff to increase damage, mitigation, and crit by 1% for 1 hour. (specifics are negotiable this is just an example)

    They could also sell companions that are named Devotee of St. Gygax and Devotee of St. Arneson.
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  • aandrethegiantaandrethegiant Member Posts: 3,369 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    The shrine/cathedral could also contain great artifacts of years-gone-by...

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  • jonddnjonddn Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users Posts: 154 Bounty Hunter
    edited March 2013
    yes they should it would be a nice tribute
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  • viledeeds77#8676 viledeeds77 Member Posts: 393 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    Yeah @ Aandre, we could collect certain in game tokens or something and go to this shrine/ cathedral to trade for artifacts from days gone by...cloak of haste, armor of the forest, ect.
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  • desmundesmun Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users Posts: 66
    edited March 2013
    There should be a shrine somewhere in town that can be seen.
  • devoneauxdevoneaux Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    I'unno. It's not like Pepsi feels the need to emblazon each and every can with "In memory of <Pepsi inventor man>."

    This entire concept isn't wrong per say, but baffling.

    Edit: Let me expand on this a bit.

    I can understand putting this type of thing in the next iteration of DnD, because that is his direct legacy. But Gary never had anything to directly do with the creation of Neverwinter online. Furthermore, I doubt Neverwinter online is something he would have been all too concerned with. Leave memorials where they are appropriate or make sense. Not every little thing needs to have a tribute to a dead man embedded in it.
  • deathssickledeathssickle Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    I think pulling out some old AD&D Modules and fitting them in somehow(like a portal to the realm of Greyhawk's past) and have things like Against the Giants and Crypt of Horrors playable there, that something of that sort would be cool
    I am usually Deaths Crowbar.


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  • deads6667deads6667 Member, Neverwinter Beta Users Posts: 112 Bounty Hunter
    edited March 2013
    devoneaux wrote: »
    This entire concept isn't wrong per say, but baffling.

    I think we should dedicate a section in this game to amoebas. i mean after all we wouldnt be here without them and uhmmm... we are their direct legacy =D i could have gone a different direction with this of course but the logical part of my brain said "dont do it! dont do it!"

    i respect these dead dudes hustle, lets be honest they got their money on in a pretty cool way without having to sell out to the man (can you imagine how dreary it would have been to need to continue down the path as a security guard? lmfao he made the right choice) but yea, nothing special here. pretty sure fantasy would have managed to exist without either of them. theyre dead, moving on.
  • vorathianvorathian Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    I wouldn't want them to be remembered in this "dnd" game it would be insulting to their legacy just as this game is.
  • deads6667deads6667 Member, Neverwinter Beta Users Posts: 112 Bounty Hunter
    edited March 2013
    vorathian wrote: »
    I wouldn't want them to be remembered in this "dnd" game it would be insulting to their legacy just as this game is.

    see im not even trolling this thread, this dude comes along to show how real trolls do it =) are trolls staple lore in DnD? it would explain a few posts around this place actually. silly role players, here vorathian have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and go back to playing nice with your friends.
  • kimonagikimonagi Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    deads6667 wrote: »
    see im not even trolling this thread, this dude comes along to show how real trolls do it =) are trolls staple lore in DnD? it would explain a few posts around this place actually. silly role players, here vorathian have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and go back to playing nice with your friends.

    Wow, only met you two threads ago but you sure know how to express your deep anger at at anyone taking a poke at this game. LOL take it easy dude!! Chances are its coming out in less then 2 months and you will be able to FINALLY play it in all of its glory. :p
  • deads6667deads6667 Member, Neverwinter Beta Users Posts: 112 Bounty Hunter
    edited March 2013
    kimonagi wrote: »
    Wow, only met you two threads ago but you sure know how to express your deep anger at at anyone taking a poke at this game. LOL take it easy dude!! Chances are its coming out in less then 2 months and you will be able to FINALLY play it in all of its glory. :p

    i know its crazy but i dont spend my free time on the website of companies i supposedly hate just to mouth off about their products in the most base manner possible. not that i thought you were doing that by the way, i just thought you made a few silly comments i could bust your hump over =) thats what boredom does. you at least wrote a couple of coherent paragraphs, more than can be said of this troll.
  • kimonagikimonagi Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    What is silly about giving ones opinion on a off-topic forum? I said i would be playing the game and judge it along with another game to make a final decision on what i will be spending my money on.

    On the topic, sure i would like something that could remind us of the founder of the game we have loved for so many years. Maybe they could do remakes of his old modules as quests or something.
  • castagyrecastagyre Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users Posts: 4 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    You hurry down the back streets of Neverwinter, pushing through the bustle of the city, and spy a side alley leading the direction you need to go. Deciding to take the short cut you duck into the alley only to find yourself promptly face to face with two older gentlemen arguing over their game of dice which you just interrupted. They turn to stare at you stroking their beards.
    Remembering Hanlon's Razor can save one a lot on aspirines.
  • ganiriesganiries Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    I remember playing the DDO missions in which they had "DM'ed". Was fun. I agree perhaps some official foundry missions or something could pay some solid tribute to the great creators of DnD. I don't think most people playing MMOs, and obviously MMORPGs, realize how much Dungeons & Dragons has influenced the gaming world.

    To me, the real holy trinity is Tolkien > Dungeons & Dragons > Everquest. Each pretty much directly borrows from the previous. DnD specifically should be remembered as the game that introduced the "boss" monster (link below), and also, albeit debatable, the first graphic MMO with Neverwinter Nights. The influence the DnD world has had on pop-culture, gaming, etc, is tremendous and transcends the actual brand itself.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neverwinter_Nights_(AOL_game)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boss_(video_gaming)
    Ornament-3.gif
  • elminbanelminban Member Posts: 187 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    DDO did a good job with the trinket and cloak that give XP bonus. Plus they had tombstones with butterlfys. I'd say make them NPCs holding staffs with dragons on top. And the dragon would be gripping in its claw a 20 sided. Have them give a few old school quest, some unique music in the background. Maybe some Blackmoore and Mordenkainen adventures.
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  • viledeeds77#8676 viledeeds77 Member Posts: 393 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    Yeah some old school quests that they created would be freakin amazing!
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  • robbievwrobbievw Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Hero Users Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    As I see it there's nothing keeping anyone from making a foundry mission as a tribute to Gygax & Arneson.
    If you want a tribute just make one, I'll play it.
    "As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of solving approaches zero."
  • xeiken1xeiken1 Member Posts: 39 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    Yeah to be honest I don't want developers spending their time on stuff doesn't affect me as a player (gameplay, content, fixes and such), it would take a lot of time from different dev team members to get some statues or areas done just for the sake of having them. So robbievw is right, you can do it by yourselves :)
  • exterminosexterminos Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Hero Users Posts: 54
    edited March 2013
    i do, DDO came out way before he passed away i think it would be fitting
  • lostboyashlostboyash Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    I would rather not have Cryptic spending time on this. As fans, we can do this ourselves. We have been given the tools. I support a fan-made tribute rather than a developer tribute.
  • muzrub333muzrub333 Member, Neverwinter Beta Users Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    No, I don't think that would be necessary. Sure they were the grandfathers of D&D, but we don't need a have some in game tributes to them. It's enough of a tribute to them that D&D is a household "word", in much of the world.
  • bobdobbsbobdobbs Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users, Silverstars Posts: 32 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    Edited to include quote.
  • bobdobbsbobdobbs Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users, Silverstars Posts: 32 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    exterminos wrote: »
    i do, DDO came out way before he passed away i think it would be fitting

    This is simply not true considering he voiced one of the mission narrations, people need to check FACTS, not spout what they think is the truth.
  • lanessar13lanessar13 Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users, Silverstars Posts: 8 Arc User
    edited March 2013
    I honestly don't particularly care to see this in-game. Someone can create a quest which has this as an intro, but I don't particularly want to have such an effigy in Neverwinter.

    I fully recognize their contributions (heck, I've even met them both at GenCon/Origins conventions), admire the men, and while I don't think they are the second coming of Christ on earth, I have a great deal of respect for how their contributions to the genre helped shape my formative teens and early twenties.
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