Christmas Update
The strange thing about writing this project is that subjects naturally fall into place as I go through the decades. I’ve spent a fair amount of time explaining the various editions, mostly in a positive light, in order to chronicle how some particular mechanics have completely changed. The d20 system, leaving side initiative behind, even shunting domain play and the wargaming aspect, all these things become more conspicuous by their absence when you’re reading these books side-by-side. One of the strangest changes I noticed is that the random dungeon generator disappears after 1e, somewhat comes back in 4e, but then really comes back in 5e, which makes that edition more capable of supporting the DM out of the DMG than some other editions.
One small section I plan on adding, as I’m working on my section on Basic, which takes us from 1977-1991 (Holmes-Rules Cyclopedia), is the penetration of the red box into Japan in 1985. I’ve found some articles in English from Japanese players about what happened to Record of Lodoss War, and the dispute with TSR which harmed D&D in that country. There are some manga/anime properties I’ll say a few words on: Lodoss, Slayers, Bastard!!, and Berserk, since they give different interpretations and still derive from D&D and its background literature.
My schedule looks right now as follows:
December: Basic section.
January: AD&D and the Arneson lawsuits.
February-March: Prussia and wargaming, including Bath and Featherstone.
April: Filling in details between major sections, much like how in ye olde animations there are core drawings and then the inbetweens. DaveCon at the end of the month.
May: Taking the insights given to me and adding them to the book.
June-July: Editing, art, the almighty index, and getting a proof ordered from the printer, sending out the PDF and putting in the physical orders.
Despite several months remaining, and knowing what I plan to say, it’s funny how that feels like almost no time at all.
Merry Christmas, and stay safe during the holidays!