tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post481441474586902576..comments2024-03-29T07:58:31.156-04:00Comments on GROGNARDIA: The Plot ThickensJames Maliszewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-42553139460217704252022-11-17T18:22:18.043-05:002022-11-17T18:22:18.043-05:00And here it is, 14 years later and Gygax Games rem...And here it is, 14 years later and Gygax Games remains vaporware, and ignorant-ass attempt to cash in on Gygax' long-declining fame and reputation has still not made that money-grubber a cent. Not only is she a greedy bitch who sabotaged her own husband's legacy (along with his family), she can't even turn a red cent on it! Hopefully someone with testicles, brains or some sense of propriety inherits the estate from her, because she has no business managing a turnip stand, much less an RPG property.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-21265817874571085202008-12-31T09:07:00.000-05:002008-12-31T09:07:00.000-05:00I had the great fortune to get to know Gary and Ga...I had the great fortune to get to know Gary and Gail in the last years of Gary's life and be part of the Yggsburgh project. Through this I was also introduced to the folks at TLG and have worked with them a fair bit. I can understand you lads wanting to speculate but give Gail the benefit of the doubt...she deserves it for being a devoted and supportive wife to Gary over the years. <BR/><BR/>If Gail tells us that she is following a plan that Gary laid out, you can bank on it.<BR/><BR/>While I like the lads at TLG and wished that Yggsburgh could have been completed on their watch, as a developer I noticed the same quality and timeliness issues that you have mentioned on this board. From my own experiences, I complained to Gary once about the quality upon noticing some glaring typo's in a produced work. He shook his head and said that he didn't know what the issue was. Works that were completed sat in th publishing queue for months or longer. As a smaller publisher, despite being great guys and having the best of intentions, I just don't think TLG could keep up!<BR/><BR/>I wish everyone a great 2009 and lets all continue to be patient and trust that Gail is doing what Gary wanted.Joxer131https://www.blogger.com/profile/04211372024369455799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-62291482290021670932008-12-22T14:32:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:32:00.000-05:00TLG were clearly very keen but I have to say that ...<I>TLG were clearly very keen but I have to say that Yggsburgh was a real disapointment in terms of the quality control. I doubt that I'll ever see the TLG UW but if that has problems too then perhaps that does explain the licence-pull. Who knows (apart from The Shadow)?</I><BR/><BR/><I>The Upper Works</I> is definitely the most impressive product TLG has ever produced, but it still has a lot of problems. They're not crippling problems, but that they exist at all suggests to me that there was very poor project management on the line. Whether that has anything to do with the decision to yank the license, I have no idea, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it did.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-6116169975128165992008-12-22T14:30:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:30:00.000-05:00It wouldn't surprise me if it was a Pathfinder pro...<I>It wouldn't surprise me if it was a Pathfinder product and I would hate to see that. Perhaps OSRIC?</I><BR/><BR/>I think it's conceivable that Paizo could become involved in CZ, but I also think the likelihood of its being for <I>Pathfinder</I> is small. Far more likely is a broadly system-neutral product that keeps mechanics to a minimum.<BR/><BR/>OSRIC is also highly unlikely for a variety of reasons.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-21556952293743468382008-12-22T14:28:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:28:00.000-05:00all content will be produced, edited, managed, etc...<I>all content will be produced, edited, managed, etc. directly by GG.</I><BR/><BR/>I hope that's the case as well. I think there are very few game companies that would do justice to CZ and so it would be best if its development were kept in house with GG. As I noted above, I have some suspicions about what might be going on. If I'm right, many things will start to make a great deal more sense and the moves by GG might be viewed a bit differently.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-32238834296768453772008-12-22T14:26:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:26:00.000-05:00So Jeff may now want a higher percentage of the cu...<I>So Jeff may now want a higher percentage of the cut because all future work will be 100% done by him.</I><BR/><BR/>I'd be shocked if there was any truth to this whatsoever. I have no idea why Jeff was not given the chance to continue on as developer of CZ, but, whatever the reason, I don't think it was because Jeff wanted a bigger piece of the pie. My suspicion -- and it's only a suspicion -- is that Gygax Games may have someone else in mind to head up development of CZ and so Jeff couldn't reasonably stay on in that capacity. They did offer him another position within the organization, so it's not as they were simply dumping him, even if he quite reasonably saw the new position as one he had no interest in taking up.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-29476599851171118012008-12-22T14:22:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:22:00.000-05:00(My dream scenario might be something along the li...<I>(My dream scenario might be something along the lines of Green Ronin publishing via OSRIC - anybody else got favorites here?)</I><BR/><BR/>My dream scenario would be a single hardcover book and accompanying map folio that was fairly "bare bones" -- somewhat akin to what Rob Kuntz did with <I>Bottle City</I>. I'm interested more in the "real" Castle Greyhawk/Zagyg, even if that megadungeon is incomplete, contradictory, and incoherent. That is, it doesn't have to be playable out of the box so long as it's as true to the original sources as possible.<BR/><BR/>And since we're dreaming, I'd peg Paizo as the folks to do this right. Ideally, there'd also be lots of historical essays and interviews included, along with old photos and the like. Oh yeah: they'd ask me contribute something to the project :)James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-11388408600924628422008-12-22T14:16:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:16:00.000-05:00And that is as far as our "rights" go.While I whol...<I>And that is as far as our "rights" go.</I><BR/><BR/>While I wholeheartedly agree with this statement, I do think it's important to remember that a lot of the comments we've seen are evidence not so much of naked disrespect so much as overzealous affection for Gary and his ideas. That's not to excuse bad behavior in any context, let me be clear on that, but I imagine that very few of these people mean to be rude or boorish, even if that's exactly how they come across.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-21309328920169935792008-12-22T14:13:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:13:00.000-05:00I'll bet the timeliness and quality issues rankled...<I>I'll bet the timeliness and quality issues rankled before -- but now they're bound up with the memory of a departed loved one.</I><BR/><BR/>Quite possibly. I know I found the slowness with which the CZ books were released to be deeply frustrating, but I had been led to believe by oblique comments made by various people that the delays were mostly on Gary's end, having to do with his illnesses. Now, I'm not so sure that was entirely the case.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-20513609091754673672008-12-22T12:55:00.000-05:002008-12-22T12:55:00.000-05:00Gary once said that his first wife did not underst...Gary once said that his first wife did not understand gaming nor, it eventually transpired, him while Gail understood both. That statement has carried a lot of weight in my mind.<BR/><BR/>TLG were clearly very keen but I have to say that Yggsburgh was a real disapointment in terms of the quality control. I doubt that I'll ever see the TLG UW but if that has problems too then perhaps that does explain the licence-pull. Who knows (apart from The Shadow)?Nagorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04934827653905274555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-9092466562096107842008-12-22T10:43:00.000-05:002008-12-22T10:43:00.000-05:00Why don't we take it to extremes and call this "ro...Why don't we take it to extremes and call this "roadmap" Gary's Golden Path* thus completely blowing things out of proportion? (I'm just kidding, of course.)<BR/>;)<BR/><BR/>My own intuition is that things will work out fine and that we will see an excellent publication of the Castle Zagyg dungeons someday soon. I would be surprised if we saw something new in 2009. But perhaps in 2010. I extremely doubt that it will be a 4E product. It wouldn't surprise me if it was a Pathfinder product and I would hate to see that. Perhaps OSRIC?<BR/><BR/>(* A <I>Dune</I> reference to "Leto's Golden Path.")Xevenintihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14609390831891414670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-27393171262153225612008-12-21T18:48:00.000-05:002008-12-21T18:48:00.000-05:00I have to extend Gygax Games the benefit of the do...I have to extend Gygax Games the benefit of the doubt. (Just as I did for TLG!)<BR/><BR/>I too suspect that they aren’t commenting on plans so as not to affect negotiations in progress.<BR/><BR/>I do think, however, that a company can seldom communicate too much with its customers and potential customers. e.g. Actually <I>saying</I> that they can’t say anything until the deals are finalized would be a good idea. Answer every question, even if it’s just to say that you can’t answer it.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733274876782876659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-2499064332792597052008-12-21T09:45:00.000-05:002008-12-21T09:45:00.000-05:00OdRook said: (My dream scenario might be somethin...OdRook said: <I>(My dream scenario might be something along the lines of Green Ronin publishing via OSRIC - anybody else got favorites here?)</I><BR/><BR/>My hope is that the CZ/GH materials won't be published by Mongoose at all, or that they'll simply be a publishing/distribution partner (like WW's Swords & Sorcery imprint was for Necromancer Games) and that all content will be produced, edited, managed, etc. directly by GG.<BR/><BR/>Allan.grodoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11800184312511280050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-67161838251992984972008-12-21T06:43:00.000-05:002008-12-21T06:43:00.000-05:00re: Mr Baron...I think maybe what happened with Je...re: Mr Baron...<BR/><BR/>I think maybe what happened with Jeff is this. Let's say you have a partnership and let's say that it was 50/50, and suddenly you have a contributing partner pass away, but the non-contributing estate still wants a decent percentage (maybe 30-40%), but the estate is no longer doing creative work. So Jeff may now want a higher percentage of the cut because all future work will be 100% done by him.<BR/><BR/>This is a big problem and was probably not solidified between Gary and Jeff before Gary passed.<BR/><BR/>In an extreme example, let's say you owned 50% of a law firm and the other partner passed away. Now you are left with 100% of the future work, but the partner's estate will want something because he/she helped build the firm to what it is now.<BR/><BR/>The main difference is Gygax owned the rights.Bradfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01124010327358826610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-7424988102356665732008-12-21T04:38:00.000-05:002008-12-21T04:38:00.000-05:00I'm inclined to suspect that the 'roadmap' might i...I'm inclined to suspect that the 'roadmap' might include a general directive to do what's best for the Castle Zagyg property - and that Mrs Gygax might have some disagreements with her late husband as to what is truly best. As noted, the product that TL delivered is flawed, seemingly rushed despite delays, and while Gary might have thought nothing of this, given his affection for the folks at TL, it's possible that Mrs Gygax viewed the results as sub par and felt a different direction would be better for the property - and for the fans. Time will tell, of course. <BR/><BR/>Naturally, this is but rank speculation, but to my thinking it would appear to fit what we have all seen as well as a plausible extrapolation of motive, etc. And I mean no disrespect to the Troll Lords - I enjoy what they produce, and would have been pleased to see them continue Castle Zagyg, but I would also sympathize with anyone who felt the products thus far were in need of improvement. <BR/><BR/>As for GG's unwillingness to comment on the future of Castle Zagyg, I suggest that to be pretty much par for the course in the publishing industry. While they are talking with potential publishers, or even while hammering out details with a specific publisher, right up until the ink is on the dotted line, nobody will be willing to say anything publicly about it. That's just standard practice, and helps to protect everybody involved in the deal, even if it may frustrate fans. Some companies of course can skillfully walk that line, assuring fans that things are in the works but reminding them that nothing definitely can be stated yet; however, in my experienced, most companies will play it safer and say as little as possible until more solid arrangements are made. You can delve into the forums of most any RPG publisher and/or the companies whose licenses they work with to see this same pseudo-drama played out over and over. <BR/><BR/>So I remain optimistic that Castle Zagyg will not only be produced, but will be given the care and attention it deserves. Again, I don't mean to knock the Troll Lords, whose care and enthusiasm cannot be doubted. It's just that another publisher may be able to leverage further resources or otherwise deliver a superior product - the difference between a "good" product and a "fantastic" one. And maybe there will be some surprises in the future as well. <BR/><BR/>(My dream scenario might be something along the lines of Green Ronin publishing via OSRIC - anybody else got favorites here?)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-83986735255254161052008-12-21T03:47:00.000-05:002008-12-21T03:47:00.000-05:00Re Castle Zagyg and 4e, it's important not to ...Re Castle Zagyg and 4e, it's important not to publish under the GSL since that could wreck your IP and your company, but you can publish 4e compatible products without using the GSL, as eg Kenzerco has done; the OGL (d20/3e system license) gives access to all the IP you need. It may even be safer not to use any license and simply publish in compliance with general copyright and trade mark law. If I were doing I'd give basic stats for a variety of appropriate systems such as 4e, 3e, C&C, maybe Dragon Warriors, along with a TM disclaimer - "All TMs remain property of their respective owners. Used without permission".Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173759805310975320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-38403465353544344692008-12-20T21:23:00.000-05:002008-12-20T21:23:00.000-05:00If Gail's love for Gary is anywhere near as strong...If Gail's love for Gary is anywhere near as strong and deep as my wife's love for me, I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that she will do what is right and best with Gary's legacy. <BR/><BR/>I have been both saddened and bemused by the responses to this situation all over the forums. Saddened by the heartless lack of respect, and at times outright rudeness, shown by some people toward someone who must be deeply grieving. Bemused that people seem to think they have <B>the right</B> to know what's going on, as if they have shares in the company.<BR/><BR/>Gail is the legitimate owner of Gary's IP, it is her business and hers alone. We, the fans, haven't commissioned her to do a job for us, with all the rights that would entail, we are simply paying customers who will spend cash only if we like what we see. And that is as far as our "rights" go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-28708425788730474762008-12-20T20:59:00.000-05:002008-12-20T20:59:00.000-05:00Maybe Mrs. Gygax finds it easier than Mr. Gygax di...Maybe Mrs. Gygax finds it easier than Mr. Gygax did to "rock the boat." I'll bet the timeliness and quality issues rankled before -- but now they're bound up with the memory of a departed loved one.Dwayanuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07388657516129827977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-26428799576342083092008-12-20T20:14:00.000-05:002008-12-20T20:14:00.000-05:00Maybe TL's vision didn't match the map. However, m...Maybe TL's vision didn't match the map. However, map or no map, from personal experience, I know a marriage has roots that are deep, meaningful, and totally irrational in the eyes of everyone else. It's very possible such things are in play. -If that's the case, I've no problem with whatever happens from here on out.<BR/><BR/>We always will have what Gary did.Jimmy Swillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12549837261062727446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-78327479634591490682008-12-20T20:08:00.000-05:002008-12-20T20:08:00.000-05:00I hope I am wrong.I'm pretty sure you are. Of the ...<I>I hope I am wrong.</I><BR/><BR/>I'm pretty sure you are. Of the many possible scenarios I can construct for what happens next, I can't begin to imagine any of them that involve 4e, given the current state of the GSL. If Mrs Gygax wants to ensure the integrity of the Gygax IP, she'd be well served to stay the hell away from 4e.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-50009163419372635642008-12-20T20:06:00.000-05:002008-12-20T20:06:00.000-05:00The point that I find very strange is his relation...<I>The point that I find very strange is his relationship with Jeff.</I><BR/><BR/>I find it odd as well. I'm frankly amazed that Gygax Games wouldn't want Jeff to stay on as lead developer for the project, even if they were moving it to some other publisher and/or shifting its focus. Jeff is in a unique position that few others can match; his knowledge of Gary's plans and ideas is immense. Why remove him, particularly when retaining him would have helped soften the blow of giving the license to someone other than TLG?James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-14699032670928893442008-12-20T18:55:00.000-05:002008-12-20T18:55:00.000-05:00I've got to agree with Mr Baron on this one. It st...I've got to agree with Mr Baron on this one. It strains credulity to believe that Gary would have given an explicit road map that included yanking the rights to Castle Zagyg away from TLG. He had spoken very highly of them consistently.<BR/><BR/>It would be much better, in my opinion, if the Widow Gygax would simply tell us what the "roadmap" *IS*, rather than assuring us that the roadmap exists and she is following it. What are the plans for Castle Greyhawk/Zagyg? They have been asked that very straightforward question several times on their own message boards and have not deigned to reply. That makes me nervous.<BR/><BR/>I sense (and it is only my own sense, based on no sort of inside information) that the "roadmap" was something as simple as "use the IP to provide for yourself financially when I'm gone" and she is taking that and interpreting it as "release CZ under the system that will crank out the most money because it has the most audience; 4E."<BR/><BR/>I hope I am wrong.Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01355324231111953098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-41969323360149726172008-12-20T18:50:00.000-05:002008-12-20T18:50:00.000-05:00I think it is probable that Gygax left some broad ...I think it is probable that Gygax left some broad plans in place and left their specific execution up to his inheritors, leaving them considerable room to decide for themselves what is best.<BR/><BR/>As to Jeff's involvement, it is worth noting that he was not terminated, but chose to leave the project after being offered a less prominent position [i.e. no longer acting as lead developer].Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05646247954542936623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-85935995477858239772008-12-20T18:16:00.000-05:002008-12-20T18:16:00.000-05:00I am glad to see Mrs. Gygax speak out on the Gygax...I am glad to see Mrs. Gygax speak out on the Gygax Games website, and I think she needs to continue to do this. GG has taken an enormous amount of critism, and until other evidence is provided, some of this is fair. There is a bit of sincerity in her note, however knowing how PR spin doctors can craft statements, I am a bit cautious at taking anything at face value. I do agree that Gary changed a bit as he grew older, and I believe he gained a much larger appreciation for what he created. I actually have no doubt that Gary left a roadmap that he wanted to see followed, but I do have questions on the depth of publishing direction. <BR/><BR/>I do find the whole thing odd. While I like the Troll Lords, and I think some of their ideas are excellent, their execution is dodgy at best. I can fully understand if Gary was a bit disappointed in their overall performance, but I have no evidence to support this claim. There is evidence to support the claim that he really liked the Troll Lord guys. I find it hard to believe that Gary would have given direction to pull the license from them after his death. That does not feel right, but again, I have no concrete evidence to confirm or dispute this theory. <BR/><BR/>The point that I find very strange is his relationship with Jeff. My understanding is that he spent the better part of a year and a half with Jeff on what can be called his flagship product. Given that this is true, why would Jeff be terminated shortly after his death. That does not sit right with me, because if Gary really did not like Jeff, why did he not express his feelings and find someone he could work with? This strikes me as a personality conflict (possibly over money?) between Jeff and Gygax Games (someone other than Gary), which could only have one ending. As a result, anything produced that does not include Jeff, will not feel truly authentic to me. Who else would have that kind of insight into this project, that comes from working closely with Gary during that time? I am not sure that any design consultants coming in after the fact would have the special level of insight to properly finish the creation of CZ to the quality level that it deserves.Mr Baronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07502432352346301026noreply@blogger.com