"It is with a certain measure of pride that we at TSR bring you this second part of the new DUNGEONS & DRAGONS releases, the long-awaited MONSTER MANUAL for ADVANCED D&D. We are doubly proud of the format of this book - i.e., its special hard cover, a "first" in the gaming world and another step in our continuing quest for top quality products.
...
The success of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS has spawned a considerable number of imitations and spin-off products, perhaps inevitably. Some have merit; many, however, do not - and although we may concede their right to exist (however dependent they may be on D&D's audience), we would caution the prospective buyer to consider their true value and not to be confused with those items which bear the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS or ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS name and constitute the official D&D family of products. As for value, let the others be measured against the standard of quality we have striven for - a hardbound encyclopedia of monsters, for instance, as opposed to a low quality collection which is poorly assembled and bound."
This from the Foreword of the Monster Manual, dated September 27, 1977.
...
The success of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS has spawned a considerable number of imitations and spin-off products, perhaps inevitably. Some have merit; many, however, do not - and although we may concede their right to exist (however dependent they may be on D&D's audience), we would caution the prospective buyer to consider their true value and not to be confused with those items which bear the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS or ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS name and constitute the official D&D family of products. As for value, let the others be measured against the standard of quality we have striven for - a hardbound encyclopedia of monsters, for instance, as opposed to a low quality collection which is poorly assembled and bound."
This from the Foreword of the Monster Manual, dated September 27, 1977.
speaking of which, I just sent you an e-mail. go read it.
ReplyDeleteBut you're American; you're not supposed to know how irony works! ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a dog in this kerfuffle, but I don't know that I'd encourage a publisher to take a page from Gary and Company re: public relations. ;)
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was written by Gary Jackson of Hackmaster himself.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this (and the last post). As someone brand new to the OSR I've been a bit confused by the "crappy presentation and terrible art means its awesome" school of thought.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the only successful model has been the open game license, which allows us all even to not have to play purely with antiques... and this conveys the proprietary mindset which otherwise may stifle development of the game.
ReplyDeleteSo, thanks for pointing out, this issue is old; I love this Unearthed Arcana James!
And indeed, you are the only person I know who still pores over the introduction pages of classics and new, and gives them serious consideration. Meritorious.
Speaking of publisher pride, why'd you decide to go with the bible belt version of the artwork in the banner?
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing to post a pic now and again, but I figure if the big banner had boobies on it, somebody's going to stumble across it at work and get in trouble or something. I don't want to put the whole blog under that adult content wall because clicking on that screen when I'm wanting to look at a post ticks me off every time. :P
ReplyDelete... and I paid for the covered up version. Not much, but some. Might as well use it. :D
@Jim
ReplyDeleteThe Flame Princess reminds me of you btw.