OSR Commentary - Original Dungeons & Dragons Along With Gary Gygax's Birthday.

 The other day was Gary Gygax's birthday & it's been a New York minute since I cracked the spine of my copy of original Dungeons & Dragons set. Looking at the original three books it's easy to remember the sheer excitement of the game that I love. 

Quite a few reviewers also felt this same way, according to the Original Dungeons & Dragons Wiki entry; "

Tim Waddell reviewed the original Dungeons & Dragons in The Space Gamer #2.^[8] Waddell commented that "The most stimulating part of the game is the fact that anything can happen. Nothing is impossible."^[8] Andy Pudewa also reviewed the original Dungeons & Dragons in The Space Gamer #2.^[9] Pudewa said that "As a game, D&D is a fantastical outlet for the imagination. It has the quality of being infinitely flexible, and with it comes the reality of impossibility. [...] There are drawbacks to the game however; as there are in any game. D&D cannot even begin to get interesting in less than 20 hours playing time. Hundreds of hours of work must be done ahead of time by the referee, and it takes a fairly long time to prepare on the part of the players." I think it's this anything can happen attidude that keeps bringing me back to original Dungeons & Dragons. And this includes the idea of using monsters as player characters. Original Dungeons & Dragons is a deadly affair make no mistake about this. 

The nice thing about original Dungeons & Dragons is the simplicity about the game. It's an easy game to pick up and then run with. But once again OD&D is a game that takes a lifetime to master. Everything within the game is self contained and according to the OD&D wiki entry:"The original Dungeons & Dragons boxed set was the first published role-playing game, a fantasy game system modeled on medieval Europe.^[1] This set introduced elements which would become standard in later editions, including abilities (such as strength, intelligence, and dexterity); character classes (fighting-man, magic-user, cleric) and character levels; races (human, dwarf, elf, halfling); armor class; monsters and treasure; underground dungeons consisting of halls, rooms, and doors protected by tricks and traps; and magic items, such as intelligent swords.^[1] The set also presents rules for travelling through the wilderness by land and sea, hiring specialists as well as men-at-arms, constructing fortifications and establishing baronies.^[1] The set defines movement rates and areas are using inches, like that of the miniatures rules from which the system descended"

Original Dungeons & Dragons literally has everything one needs to run an ongoing campaign. Is it any wonder why I see so many OSR players using original Dungeons & Dragons or prefer it as thier edition. 
What does this have to do with Gary Gygax's birthday?! Quite a bit when I've medated on the subject. Gary was a gamer and a risk taker who played the odds on many things. However, he was also a wargamer and knew how to minimize risk. And his controbutions to original Dungeons & Dragons can't be denied. Sure Dave Arneson laided out so many things but it was Gygax who was the means & the marketing of the grand game. I really appreciate Gary Gygax for bringing Dungeons & Dragons to the public perception & all of his contributions to this crazy hobby of mine. I also miss him and James Ward along with so many other designers and writers from heyday of original Dungeons & Dragons. It wasn't been until I've grown older to appreciate so much of what went into these games.