RIP Greg Stafford, a Fundamental Personage of the RPG Industry (chaosium.com) 39
"The first published RPG was Dungeons & Dragons, shortly followed by some other imitative games," Greg Stafford once said. "Chaosium, however, was never content to imitate but published games that were original in style of play, content and design."
Greg Stafford died Thursday at the age of 71. Long-time Slashdot reader argStyopa shares this memorial from Chaosium's Michael O'Brien. As one of the greatest game designers of all time; winner of too many awards to count; and a friend, mentor, guide, and inspiration to generations of gamers, "the Grand Shaman of Gaming" influenced the universe of tabletop gaming beyond measure. Greg founded The Chaosium in 1975... Under his leadership, the company quickly became renowned for its originality and creativity, and was responsible for introducing numerous things to the hobby that are standards today. As John Wick (7th Sea, Legend of the Five Rings) memorably said, "The older I get, the more I hear young RPG designers say 'Never been done before!' And then I just point at something Greg Stafford did a few decades ago."
Greg's work in roleplaying games, board games, and fiction have been acclaimed as some of the most engaging and innovative of all time. There will doubtless be many valedictory messages over the coming days from the countless people that Greg inspired and enthused across his many interests and passions -- Glorantha, Oaxaca, King Arthur, shamanism, mythology and more. For now, we leave you with the words of the Myth maker himself, speaking at the 2018 ENnies Awards ceremony, his last public engagement
"When I started Chaosium in 1975... we never imagined, truly, that it would reach the magnitude that it has today," Stafford tells the audience. "It went through a long period of being some strange thing that just random geeks did... I figure when role-playing games get on The X-Files and The Simpsons, we've made it..."
""It's true that it's not us. We're a bunch of obsessive-compulsive, detail-minded game designers, people looking desperately for a job that doesn't make them wear a tie to work, artists who would've never had a market without our industry. We all do a lot of work, but in fact we're just a small handful of people, and truly the phenomenon that we have today is not due to us, but is due to you, the fans and the players. We really appreciate everything that you've done... I want to say thank you to all of you fans."
The forum at Basic Roleplaying Central has started a condolences thread.
Greg Stafford died Thursday at the age of 71. Long-time Slashdot reader argStyopa shares this memorial from Chaosium's Michael O'Brien. As one of the greatest game designers of all time; winner of too many awards to count; and a friend, mentor, guide, and inspiration to generations of gamers, "the Grand Shaman of Gaming" influenced the universe of tabletop gaming beyond measure. Greg founded The Chaosium in 1975... Under his leadership, the company quickly became renowned for its originality and creativity, and was responsible for introducing numerous things to the hobby that are standards today. As John Wick (7th Sea, Legend of the Five Rings) memorably said, "The older I get, the more I hear young RPG designers say 'Never been done before!' And then I just point at something Greg Stafford did a few decades ago."
Greg's work in roleplaying games, board games, and fiction have been acclaimed as some of the most engaging and innovative of all time. There will doubtless be many valedictory messages over the coming days from the countless people that Greg inspired and enthused across his many interests and passions -- Glorantha, Oaxaca, King Arthur, shamanism, mythology and more. For now, we leave you with the words of the Myth maker himself, speaking at the 2018 ENnies Awards ceremony, his last public engagement
"When I started Chaosium in 1975... we never imagined, truly, that it would reach the magnitude that it has today," Stafford tells the audience. "It went through a long period of being some strange thing that just random geeks did... I figure when role-playing games get on The X-Files and The Simpsons, we've made it..."
""It's true that it's not us. We're a bunch of obsessive-compulsive, detail-minded game designers, people looking desperately for a job that doesn't make them wear a tie to work, artists who would've never had a market without our industry. We all do a lot of work, but in fact we're just a small handful of people, and truly the phenomenon that we have today is not due to us, but is due to you, the fans and the players. We really appreciate everything that you've done... I want to say thank you to all of you fans."
The forum at Basic Roleplaying Central has started a condolences thread.
Re: (Score:1)
Slashdot Poll:
Which is the most tiresome running "joke" on Slashdot?
1) apk
2) creimer
3) apps!
4) Cowboy Neal
Alas (Score:3)
Respawn time is endless.
RIP (Score:2)
Just my 2 cents
Early Runequest was great! (Score:4, Interesting)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
The game changed for the worst when Avalon Hill re-imagined it, but the 2nd Edition was excellent. Many weekends were spent with friends playing this game. Thanks Greg!
One of the greats gone *toast* (Score:4, Interesting)
Greg was one of the nicest guys to hang out with in addition to running the companies without being a dick (Steve Jackson's polar opposite). Of course they were stomped by the evil cash grabbing juggernauts of Games Workshop *hiss*, WOTC (Wizards of the Coast) *spit* and Hasbro *piss* but, have been able to hang out in the industry regardless. I wish the others still roving the halls of Chaosium my condolences and hope we don't lose any more too soon. A toast to one of the fallen greats!!!
Re: (Score:2)
Oh, mama's a callin', it's your nap time.
The Once and Future King (Score:1)
King Arthur Pendragon was a great piece of work.
It was a rare case where not just the 'set-dressing' impressed (for a long stretch that was GURPS selling point with their catalog of supplements), but the game mechanics alone elevated it to as close to true art as a commercially produced game could get in my estimation.
I never played the old RuneQuest, but it casts a long shadow and I've heard a lot of good about it.
And some of that RuneQuest magic got into 'King of Dragon Pass' which I find endlessly entert
One of the greats (Score:2)
This guy's up there with EGG and Arneson as one of the luminaries of the RPG world.
I made his acquaintance a few times, and we exchanged emails on a few subjects as I did some artwork for one of his products.
One of the most open, generous, kind men I've ever met.
RIP Greg.
Chaosium (Score:2)
My group of friends started with AD&D and then, rather quickly, moved on to Chaosium games and played often little else.
From Runequest (2nd. ed), which was our main game (3rd edition was quickly discovered to be crap after they outsourced it) and we branched out into almost all the others: Stormbringer, Hawkmoon, Elf Quest, Call of Cthulhu, Ringworld, and Pendragon. The rule system (basic role playing) and it's variations weren't overly cumbersome and didn't get in the way of a good adventure, and the w
Who? (Score:1)
I've heard of Gary Gygax (DnD), Steve Jackson (GURPS), Richard A. Bartle (Hearts, Clubs, Spades, Diamonds: Players who suit MUDs), Klaus Teuber (Settlers of Catan), etc. but never this guy.
What games did he work on?
Re: (Score:2)
As a casual board gamer + hard-core PC gamer I have to question just how popular he was as I've never heard of anyone mentioning him in ANY of my gaming circles.
Huh? (Score:2)
Maybe this post could have listed some of his accomplishments in more detail.
I've been playing table top RPGs since the late 80's and proper strategy board games since the early 90's and I have no concept of who he is or what "The Chaosium" is. Sure, I might know him if some of his works were mentioned but as of right now I have no clue who this guy is.
If he's so influential this slashdot article is a terrible way to remember him.
Re: (Score:2)
Looks like someone made a bad roll against his "write a coherent fucking article" skill.
Re: (Score:2)
Hahahahaha
Re: (Score:2)
That should be whose wizard. Just sayin'.
Re: (Score:3)
Trashing people for their hobbies just shows how sad and self-loathing you are.
And classic RPGs were played with a group of people in (major shock value warning) Real Life.
Too bad you've never experienced friendship, you might of become a decent person.
Enjoy your miserable life.