Dungeons and Dragons?

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I started playing around '77; before we found out it was evil, and it became super-popular. (I even remember the original "white book" version, although I started with the "Blue box.")

>in the old days, people played by mail.

Nowadays you can get programs that'll let you move pieces along a map online; AND send sound effects, text, dialogue....

>that Tom hank film really ostracized players

The D&D flap is what convinced me authority figures are clueless and out of touch.

Don C.

[ramsey37]

I started playing in 1982, just after graduating high school. I played some in college with my friends, although we had some problems with the school administration because people complained we were playing a Satanic game in public areas. We finally had to agree to play in our rooms just to get them off our backs
Up until recently I'd been playing with my local friends. We'd meet a couple of Saturday nights a month and play for several hours at a stretch. I finally had to drop out of the game after about five years. I think some of them still play, and at times I kinda miss it.
George

[Mikey]

I could never get into D&D

It was really big when I was in highschool.

Back then I was more worried about girls and getting high

[SUP-Ronin]

I played a lot in Jr High, then sort of tapered off in High school. I never understood the whole devil worship angle. I can see where there coming from, but if you character was a good guy, then I don't really see how you can take that angle. That agrument always used to tick me off. I had a blast.

It was always exciting to scrounge up money, to go buy a new "crystal" 20 or whatever sided die, then color the numbers in with crayon.

[Mikey]

As a complete outsider that don't know anything about the game but was surrounded by players of it in school ..... my observation was ...

Geek/nerd kids that found something to tie them all together.
They hung out together and talked WEIRD to eachother.
It almost made them not socialize with anyone outside their D&D sphere.

I guess for someone not in the know, some people could think that was a weird "cult".
.. and cult brings to mind devil worshippers.

I can see the mistake by people not involved.

Just giving my opinion as an outsider

[ctc]

>I never understood the whole devil worship angle.

People don't handle "new" and "different" so good. Especially if kids and teens like it. (Kinda like metal albums a few years later, and Mortal Kombat a few years after that.) The early 80's also saw the rise of the "Moral Majority," and D&D became an easy target for them. Hence the insane crusade against a game that, up until then, was played by a small number of people. Add a crappy movie ("Mazes and Monsters") and lots of yellow journalism (like Geraldo's 2-part expose into the "realtiy" of D&D) and you end up with nervous parents who probably weren't so keen to spend money on expensive game books anyhoo.

What bothered me was how obvious it was that NONE of these critics had ever cracked one of the books. As an experienced player I had no idea where they were getting their info from. (My favourite example being the cave scene from "Mazes and Monsters." Next time you see that scene imagine how tough rolling dice and reading charts would have been....) A few of my friends had parents that forbid them from playing once Geraldo said it was bad; and they couldn't be swayed. They wouldn't even look inside one of the books.

And to my 10 year old mind that all made a BIG impact. It taught me how dismissive people can be. (Which is why I bristle over people complaining about stuff like "South Park" who've NEVER WATCHED AN EPISODE!) It taught me how even those who should know better will QUICKLY jump to conclusions, and hold on to them with a Vulcan death-grip, no matter what the evidence against says. (Anyone else remember stories of secret Satanic baby-farms, where infants were raised for sacrifices?)

And most importantly, it showed me how most folks just don';t get it. D&D became a hit BECAUSE of the protests! Prior to B.A.D.D. very few people had heard of the game. Same thing happened a few years later with the PMRC and labelling "questionable" records. "Bad for you" equalls "instant hit." And then Mortal Kombat; a game NOBODY cared about until the senate decided it was evil....

Don C.

[Sideshow Spock]

I've got a lot in common with many of these posts.. the Tom Hanks "Mazes and Monsters" reference was hilarious.. I remember watching that with my buddies along with some kind of "special report" about the "dangers" of D&D..

We played pretty regularly from around '82-85. From like 7th grade to 10th grade, more or less. Never took it too seriously (altho there was no lack of arguing and contentiousness), and it was a lot of fun. Still have all the modules and handbooks!

[SUP-Ronin]

I agree with your comments CTC.
Anyone seen Gamers The Movie?? I thought it was hilarious. My friends brother plays one of the main characters. Just curious. It's a mockumentary of AD&D. If your a fan, it's worth checking out.

YouTube - Gamers The Movie Segment on Starz

Gamers (2006)

Gamers - The Movie - Unrated. Uncensored. Unapologetic.

Not to be coufused with "The Gamers, 2002"

[Sideshow Spock]

YouTube - Mazes and Monsters - Tom Hanks Gets Mugged

"These are my spells; I guard them with my life."

[ShadowAvenger]

I got into D&D with the red boxed set before getting AD&D back in the 1980s. Unfortunately, half of my group moved away so the gaming nights fell apart. I could not get into any of the newer versions of D&D.

[almitysufx]

I'm guilty of playing D&D as well, starting with the blue box set then getting the AD&D stuff as it came out. My friends and I would play hours on end.

Odd note to add, my mom's neighbor now has the rights to the name TSR. He's nearly finished working on his own role playing game (AD&D Knock-off) and next month he will be opening his one gaming shop.

[cdhall]

Update

I'm guilty of playing D&D as well, starting with the blue box set then getting the AD&D stuff as it came out. My friends and I would play hours on end.

Odd note to add, my mom's neighbor now has the rights to the name TSR. He's nearly finished working on his own role playing game (AD&D Knock-off) and next month he will be opening his one gaming shop.

What happened with the shop and the game and name TSR? I see your post was about 1yr ago.

Neat time-capsule this message board can be sometimes.

[Hector]

As a complete outsider that don't know anything about the game but was surrounded by players of it in school ..... my observation was ...

Geek/nerd kids that found something to tie them all together.
They hung out together and talked WEIRD to eachother.
It almost made them not socialize with anyone outside their D&D sphere.

I guess for someone not in the know, some people could think that was a weird "cult".
.. and cult brings to mind devil worshippers.

I can see the mistake by people not involved.

Just giving my opinion as an outsider

You just described the Mego Museum...

[Hector]

I was indeed fascinated by the world of DD...but never got into it...but I loved the collectibility of all those little pewter figurines...that was the attraction and interest to me...but like I said...never got into actually playing it.

I was more into chess...but I get frustrated because I'm not that good of a player...but I love chess.

I was also really into Monopoly...probably my favorite board game growing up.

[Rextasy]

Started playing in 7th grade around 1980. It was still obscure enough that I had to teach everyone how to play. We even roped a couple of girls into it...until they realized how boringly brainy it was. I had as much fun painting the little lead figures as doing anything.