Spotted Online – The Long Shadow of D&D
With the newest edition of Dungeons & Dragons (Amazon.com search*) starting to hit shelves I am not at all surprised to see that Wizards of the Coast has posted “The Long Shadow of D&D”. This look back (written by Shannon Appelcline) at the product format of Dungeons & Dragons rules is a fun read for any who love to watch the evolution of an idea.
Starting with the game’s release in the seventies, Appelcline examines each iteration of the game’s rules, discussing how the three book format came into existence and ways in which TSR — and then Wizards of the Coast — deviated from that format. I find it fascinating that despite their various format changes and experiments over the years today’s fifth edition rules follow the same three book format as the late seventies Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game. I guess you just can’t improve on a perfect approach to roleplaying game rules presentation.
You absolutely must read Appelcline’s article. Seriously. This is well worth the ten or fifteen minutes you’ll spend reading the text and enjoying the covers of the various editions of the game.
Related articles
- Designers & Dragons: RPG Histories I Like (ageofravens.blogspot.com)
- 5 Reasons to Play DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 5th Edition (nerdist.com)
- The New Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook Is Here (kotaku.com)