They may have to mend some fences as a result of the way this went down. I wonder if they realize this? I'm not even a TLG fan, and I think this was crappy.
I agree, Matt. Depending on exactly how things fall out, Gygax Games may suddenly find that there's not a lot of goodwill among Gary's legions of fans, who'll see this as just another money grab rather than a decision based on the best way to preserve his legacy.
I think it's very likely GG will continue the CZ line. What worries me is that they will finish it -- or, worse yet, restart it -- with another publisher, using other writers who haven't spent the last few years working closely with Gary to understand what he intended to do with the project.
I'm a bit annoyed I fell for it and against my better judgement bought Yggsburgh about 6 months ago, even though in my heart I knew it was already clear that the Zagyg project would never get anywhere near completion. If it was going to get done it would have happened 2005 through 2007. The guy who did Upper Works did well to get _something_ out though, by all accounts it's well done, and it's a shame most people outside the US (I'm in UK) will never have a chance to get it.
The smart approach would have been a ca 250 page single colume Castle Zagyg that hit the highlights of EGG's original dungeon, didn't try to recreate the whole thing, and didn't let EGG go wandering off on whatever tangent caught his interest.
Armchair-quarterbacking about how it "should" have been done is pointless. You can buy a copy of UW from TLG right now on their website, and then fill in the lower levels of the dungeon yourself, or with other published modules, or with whatever Gygax Games decides to come out with. But take your last opportunity to buy this one; it's not to be missed.
I'm not so worried for the Trolls--I think this will let them refocus on some in-house lines and products--but I am worried about the future of CZ. I just hope it doesn't end up with Mongoose--given their track records and crappy staff writing, I don't think that would bode well.
@will: I know we're lucky to have much that's out there, but I want as much product as we can from the Old Guard while we can...not trying to be morbid, but there it is.
but I am worried about the future of CZ. I just hope it doesn't end up with Mongoose--given their track records and crappy staff writing, I don't think that would bode well.
I'm even more worried that, whoever gets the license, Mongoose or otherwise, won't have the slightest understanding of the history of D&D, Castle Greyhawk, or what old school gaming is all about, instead seeing it as a chance to capitalize on "nostalgia." Too many otherwise smart people just don't get what's still so attractive about old school gaming that there are comparatively few writers working for any company who could pull it off.
Dammit all
ReplyDeleteShazbot!
ReplyDeleteShaka, when the walls fell.
ReplyDeleteThey may have to mend some fences as a result of the way this went down. I wonder if they realize this? I'm not even a TLG fan, and I think this was crappy.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Matt. Depending on exactly how things fall out, Gygax Games may suddenly find that there's not a lot of goodwill among Gary's legions of fans, who'll see this as just another money grab rather than a decision based on the best way to preserve his legacy.
ReplyDeleteDo you think there really isn't that much of a chance of Gygax Games continuing the Castyle Zagyg line?
ReplyDeleteNick,
ReplyDeleteI think it's very likely GG will continue the CZ line. What worries me is that they will finish it -- or, worse yet, restart it -- with another publisher, using other writers who haven't spent the last few years working closely with Gary to understand what he intended to do with the project.
Not unexpected, but still disappointing and somewhat annoying. I think I am just going to call it a day with regard to the Castle Zagyg project.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit annoyed I fell for it and against my better judgement bought Yggsburgh about 6 months ago, even though in my heart I knew it was already clear that the Zagyg project would never get anywhere near completion. If it was going to get done it would have happened 2005 through 2007. The guy who did Upper Works did well to get _something_ out though, by all accounts it's well done, and it's a shame most people outside the US (I'm in UK) will never have a chance to get it.
ReplyDeleteThe smart approach would have been a ca 250 page single colume Castle Zagyg that hit the highlights of EGG's original dungeon, didn't try to recreate the whole thing, and didn't let EGG go wandering off on whatever tangent caught his interest.
Armchair-quarterbacking about how it "should" have been done is pointless. You can buy a copy of UW from TLG right now on their website, and then fill in the lower levels of the dungeon yourself, or with other published modules, or with whatever Gygax Games decides to come out with. But take your last opportunity to buy this one; it's not to be missed.
ReplyDeleteYou know, between the existing Zagyg modules and Rob Kuntz's original Greyhawk stuff like Bottle City, I don't feel like we're missing out too much.
ReplyDeleteWe have more than enough material now to continue the dungeon in our own campaigns in Gary's signature style.
We have more than enough material now to continue the dungeon in our own campaigns in Gary's signature style.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't think that many of us would object to more Gygaxian material to work with ;)
Allan.
I'm not so worried for the Trolls--I think this will let them refocus on some in-house lines and products--but I am worried about the future of CZ. I just hope it doesn't end up with Mongoose--given their track records and crappy staff writing, I don't think that would bode well.
ReplyDelete@will: I know we're lucky to have much that's out there, but I want as much product as we can from the Old Guard while we can...not trying to be morbid, but there it is.
but I am worried about the future of CZ. I just hope it doesn't end up with Mongoose--given their track records and crappy staff writing, I don't think that would bode well.
ReplyDeleteI'm even more worried that, whoever gets the license, Mongoose or otherwise, won't have the slightest understanding of the history of D&D, Castle Greyhawk, or what old school gaming is all about, instead seeing it as a chance to capitalize on "nostalgia." Too many otherwise smart people just don't get what's still so attractive about old school gaming that there are comparatively few writers working for any company who could pull it off.