Pipes, Pints, and Polyhedrons

New convention in Lake Geneva, Horticulture Hall; July 1st-3rd.

I haven't been keeping up with the news on this whole, "new" TSR gaming thing. Best I can figure it looks like someone owns some version of the trademark/copyright TSR and putting out games under the OSR banner, for old-school.

I haven't really taken the time to dig into it, but tonight a post from Tenkar's Tavern mentioned that a new flier has gone out for TSR Con, and it just so happens that the dates have changed from July, to March, the same weekend as GaryCon.

You can read the whole thing over on Eric's site: HERE

Basically, it looks like the new TSR is trying to wrangle players from GaryCon to TSR Con. Now, from what I've gathered, there seems to be some uncertainty, with a side of shadiness, going on with the new TSR. I may be mistaken, I don't know enough to say this is the case, but that seems to be a common theme when people on the innerwebs are discussing business surrounding all of this.

That being said, I do have to give props for the idea of having the TSR Con, on the same weekend as GaryCon. I mean, if I knew that getting folks to come out to Wisconsin for a new "old-school" convention was going to be difficult, seeing as how attendees had just recently been there 3-4 months earlier, I would expect there to be a pretty light turn out. But, if I knew that there were going to be a lot of folks around for the weekend, some who may or may not be completely happy with the direction GaryCon has been headed, then I might hazard a guess that it's not far-fetched to think some of the folks from GC, might just be willing to drift over to another location that is offering similar gaming.

I proposed something like this a few years ago when WotC started taking over the rooms and halls for TSR games, in favor of the Adventures League BS, leaving the old-school games shoved down in the far wing. That was a big slap in the face of old-school gamers, all because one of the AL promoters got butthurt that AL was being put down there in the first place.

Having a second "convention" at the old location the same weekend as GaryCon where old-school games would be the focus was front and center in my mind, hell, I would still love to see something like this happen. If people already have rooms reserved, flights booked, and plans to be in the area, then it does make sense to pull something like this; I can't fault them for that. However, they might just be shooting themselves in the foot if there is a lot of negative news and attention flying around in conjunction with the company or brand.

Regardless, it will be interesting to hear what comes out of this, when all is said and done.

Pretty slick move if TSR actually managed to rent the Horticultural Hall before Gary Con could make arrangements to do so for any of its off-site events.

Following up on the story of the new "TSR", it looks like someone doesn't care much that they are inching in on GaryCon. Just recently, the game company, Wizard Tower Games, working with new TSR, received an anonymous email, stating that if they continue business with new TSR, they will be subject to the wrath of the internet and the company will, essentially, be ruined.

There are a few different articles and videos about this, Tenekar's Tavern mentioned it. Below is the original email and then the press release response from WTG. (if you can't read the text in the email, just right-click the image and open in a new tab).

I can pretty much guess based on the sentence, "...you will be considered an enemy of those who stand for trans rights, inclusiveness and gaming." the type of person that wrote this. And then the whole threat of, "You DO NOT want us to get on Twitter and begin talking about Wizards Tower...", like Twitter is the real world, lol, whatever.

I know nothing of the new TSR, but I'd pretty much be inclined to take their side, just as matter of principle, against anyone who thinks that threats like this are somehow valid.

I'd call it sleezey, which seems to fit everything I've read about this "reboot" of TSR, ie just trying to make a buck off the Gygax and TSR name. Sounds pretty lame in my book.

Ancalagon wrote: ↑October 20th, 2021, 11:15 pm Pretty slick move if TSR actually managed to rent the Horticultural Hall before Gary Con could make arrangements to do so for any of its off-site events.

Ancalagon wrote: ↑October 20th, 2021, 11:15 pm Pretty slick move if TSR actually managed to rent the Horticultural Hall before Gary Con could make arrangements to do so for any of its off-site events.

Deil the Yin wrote: ↑October 29th, 2021, 5:09 pm I'd call it sleezey, which seems to fit everything I've read about this "reboot" of TSR, ie just trying to make a buck off the Gygax and TSR name. Sounds pretty lame in my book.

About all I know of the new TSR is that there are several old TSR hands involved. I've not seen any gaming goodness released to review. If they have an axe to grind with GaryCon then renting the Horticultural Hall out from under them is a middle finger gesture. If the new TSR is serious about producing new, quality gaming goodness then they need to use the Hall for something other than a cheap shot.

P.S. Good to see you back here, Deil the Yin!

Necron 99 wrote: ↑October 29th, 2021, 4:08 pm Following up on the story of the new "TSR", it looks like someone doesn't care much that they are inching in on GaryCon. Just recently, the game company, Wizard Tower Games, working with new TSR, received an anonymous email, stating that if they continue business with new TSR, they will be subject to the wrath of the internet and the company will, essentially, be ruined.

<snip>

I can pretty much guess based on the sentence, "...you will be considered an enemy of those who stand for trans rights, inclusiveness and gaming." the type of person that wrote this. And then the whole threat of, "You DO NOT want us to get on Twitter and begin talking about Wizards Tower...", like Twitter is the real world, lol, whatever.

<snip>

Just some douche canoe paddling with a keyboard. If Anonymous really felt so strongly about his/her beliefs then perhaps opening a sincere dialogue would be a wee more reasonable.

Deil the Yin wrote: ↑October 29th, 2021, 5:09 pm I'd call it sleezey, which seems to fit everything I've read about this "reboot" of TSR, ie just trying to make a buck off the Gygax and TSR name. Sounds pretty lame in my book.

I think that is the sentiment of most folks who have run across everything about any of the new "TSR" that has been formed. Anyone can see that they are just piggybacking on the TSR brand name. Regardless of what anyone puts out under the name, now, TSR has been sunset since the '90s and not coming back. Not to mention they would already be competing against established OSR and similar (C&C, DCC, etc.) games.

The only way they could remotely be successful as a gaming company, is if they somehow manage to acquire rights to reprint and publish the old (A)D&D TSR products. Republishing the older material as-is (barring errata cleanup and clarifications) would be worth doing for those that would like to get products without paying second hand prices.

So, the drama with the new TSR has reached something of critical mass now. Erik has a video discussing how "TSR" is running a crowdfunding to raise money so they can sue WotC for a bunch of stuff.

At this point I think whomever is behind the new TSR needs to let this go and move on with life. I mean, come on, everyone knows that this isn't someone who was the TSR of old, this is just someone that is just trying to use the name.

Crowd funding my ass.
Ernie G was part of a KS back around 2016 that duped backers for over $125k for some gaming adventure product that has yet to see the light of day. This a "call to all suckers" to part from their funds. Again.