... to what the OSR has built off of. Both the old guard and the second generation can work together to create and grow this hobby for future generations.
This all reminds me of how Rock 'n Roll began. Elvis wasn't exactly the first, but he was the best! He blended country and blues, along with gyrating hips and a greaser/juvenile delinquent look complete with bedroom eyes that made the girls scream! Then he got drafted into the army for a couple of years and came back to do films rather than rock 'n roll.
Enter The Beatles. They changed the look of rock, with their mop top hair and snappy looking suits. Perfect harmonies and great pop sensibilities had the fans screaming and cheering so loud you couldn't even hear the music.
Some have argued that the Beatles were less rock 'n roll than Elvis. Sure, they were more polished than Elvis, their brand of rhythm and blues didn't translate the same as The King's version of rhythm and blues. And they arrived on the scene long after Elvis paved way. But in the end they were still rock 'n roll.
Both artists are icons and have long enduring legacies and influences that live on today!
This is how I see TSR and the OSR!
I don't really see any benefit of the old guard and the second generation of gamers splitting. If you don't like the moniker OSR, fine. It's not really important, it's the games and the camaraderie that matter. Pied Piper Games has distanced itself from what is called the OSR and that's fine (although on the official distributor's website, Noble Knight hasPied Piper listed under the genre Old School Renaissance) , although I'll bet a lot of people who buy their products identify themselves as part of the "Old School". I personally haven't bought anything from them yet, but I plan to in the future, they've got some interesting looking stuff!
I'd hate to see such division between two groups that have so much in common.
Keep Rockin' and Role Playin'!
Chad Thorson
Agreed. Sometimes I think, though, that the reason we're so divisive is that people are just too damn sensitive. Yesterday I posted a rant on my facebook about how displeased I was with WotC's decision to release Tomb of Horrors for 4th edition. I saw it as a slap in the face to longtime fans of D&D.
ReplyDeleteA number of 4th edition fans showed up to state how I was an example of everything that was wrong with the OSR, and just engendering "one true wayism."
Note that nowhere did I denigrate anyone's right to enjoy playing 4th edition. But somehow, in some way, my personal distaste for the game (and how WotC has treated the property) said that everyone else had to feel the same way.
In the end, since some of these people were fans of my work, I removed the offending status update because I don't want my fans thinking I'm attacking their sensibilities.
But it's gotten to the point where we are no longer allowed to express opinions without the fear of someone getting offended because they disagree.
And that's just sickening and sad.
I think the best thing to do is just not to try to offend, but don't back down on a position you feel strongly about.
ReplyDeleteI try not to post when my dander is up, the heat of the moment can get the best of anybody. But I don't let someone being offended stop me from expressing my beliefs.