Here's a look at D&D commercials over the years.
1983 I was twelve years old and this commercial seemed so very cool. That and I had a crush on the girl with the braids. I love the group. Two kids in big pilot lenses. Sweaters! However there are two female players, no Mountain Dew on the table and everyone is listening to the DM, that's so unrealistic.
And there was the little known D&D Labryinth Computer Game. I really wanted that as a kid, but Santa never brought me one. You play head to head against another players trying to find the treasure, while avoiding the dragon.
For the Intellivision (which we had) there was the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons computer game. This game launched scores of adorable little girls into playing D&D, which is why we have so many today. OK, that didn't happen.
NO advertisements for the 90s, which is the decade TSR folded. Here's a 2003 D&D boardgame commercial in German, which just makes it goofier. I never saw this game, has anyone played it?
This commercial may have appeared on G4 a few years back for the book, Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies. This is for real? I never thought that there were hordes of yuppies yearning to play D&D but they didn't know how.
An informational video for 4th edition. I love the depiction for 3rd edition grapple.
A modern commercial for 4th edition. That beholder statue is so cool, I want one in my home.
And the super rocking Red Box commercial done by that Dungeon Mastery guy. Always rocking, the original video is even cooler.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
I Blame Tom Hanks
All this ridiculous talk about D&D being a gang activity for gangs has me remembering the days when D&D was Satan's game. Back in middle school I had to constantly explain that D&D wasn't a tool of Satan and wasn't going to cause me to commit suicide. D&D being a gang activity is just as ridiculous. If I'd known I would have recruited a couple of Crips when I used to live in a really lousy neighborhood.
*Please do not take these statements as being anti-homosexual, I assure you the opposite is the case. I am disgusted with anyone who exploits minors sexually, heterosexual or homosexual.
The movie provided the example concerned loved ones needed to cause them to force their kids to stop playing D&D and sometimes even burn their books. Players tell stories of being called into the principal's office, or even having assemblies in school warning of D&D and the influence of the occult.
It's all very funny now to see these clips of Tom Hanks with D&D. I hope you enjoy them. Of course, I really want to see a Youtube video of Tom Hanks saying how ridiculous this was and apologizing for all those kids who had to burn books and things; that would be something to see.
The DVD!
MAZES AND MONSTERS.
The original book in hardcover.
A group of gangsters playing "old school", notice the red shirts identifying them as "Bloods"
Personally, I blame Tom Hanks. If you did not know, back during the search of James Dallas Egbert III, the 16 old kid who was involved with drugs, older homosexual men, and D&D who went missing for a month. D&D, and not the drugs or older homosexual* men who were exploiting him, was blamed. Writer Ron Jaffe wrote a book called Mazes & Monsters about a college student who plays a game like Dungeons and Dragons and goes insane doing so. This was turned into television movie starring a young Tom Hanks in 1982, before Bosom Buddies and Splash.
The movie provided the example concerned loved ones needed to cause them to force their kids to stop playing D&D and sometimes even burn their books. Players tell stories of being called into the principal's office, or even having assemblies in school warning of D&D and the influence of the occult.
It's all very funny now to see these clips of Tom Hanks with D&D. I hope you enjoy them. Of course, I really want to see a Youtube video of Tom Hanks saying how ridiculous this was and apologizing for all those kids who had to burn books and things; that would be something to see.
The DVD!
MAZES AND MONSTERS.
The original book in hardcover.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Seventh Court of Appeal fails Intelligence check
sThe Seventh Court of Appeal has held up the ban of D&D being played by prisoners in a Wisconsin jail on the grounds it could encourage gang behavior.
It looks as if another sad chapter is opening in the already dim history of D&D, which has been misunderstood and scapegoated for years. It seems incredible that a game whose audience tends to be law-abiding citizens with productive lives including a high number of professionals and college educated people is being accused of promoting gang-related behavior. Particularly when there is absolutely no evidence of such, in fact I imagine most gang members would rather be dead than caught playing something as nerdy as D&D.
It seems some activism is called for. Here's an article:
http://blastr.com/2011/01/judge-bans-dd-in-prison-rules-it-could-lead-to-gang-behavior.php
Here's a petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/d20d12d8/petition.html
Here's a possible address to the prisoner who is pressing the suit forward:
Kevin T. Smith
c/o Waupun Correctional Institution
200 S. Madison St, PO Box 351
Waupun, WI 53963-0351
Or you could write the acting warden, Mr. Jim Schwochert, and tell him your thoughts and feelings on the matter.
I'm going to suggest something to directly challenge the ban. Mail Mr. Smith (or any prisoner at the facility in question) individual solo adventures,along with a character sheet and sheets with pre-rolled random rolls on them. Not recognizable immediately as D&D product and not involving getting together, confiscating such materials would definitely be a violation of First Amendment rights. I'm going to work on the idea further.
It looks as if another sad chapter is opening in the already dim history of D&D, which has been misunderstood and scapegoated for years. It seems incredible that a game whose audience tends to be law-abiding citizens with productive lives including a high number of professionals and college educated people is being accused of promoting gang-related behavior. Particularly when there is absolutely no evidence of such, in fact I imagine most gang members would rather be dead than caught playing something as nerdy as D&D.
It seems some activism is called for. Here's an article:
http://blastr.com/2011/01/judge-bans-dd-in-prison-rules-it-could-lead-to-gang-behavior.php
Here's a petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/d20d12d8/petition.html
Here's a possible address to the prisoner who is pressing the suit forward:
Kevin T. Smith
c/o Waupun Correctional Institution
200 S. Madison St, PO Box 351
Waupun, WI 53963-0351
Or you could write the acting warden, Mr. Jim Schwochert, and tell him your thoughts and feelings on the matter.
I'm going to suggest something to directly challenge the ban. Mail Mr. Smith (or any prisoner at the facility in question) individual solo adventures,along with a character sheet and sheets with pre-rolled random rolls on them. Not recognizable immediately as D&D product and not involving getting together, confiscating such materials would definitely be a violation of First Amendment rights. I'm going to work on the idea further.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Christina Applegate plays D&D
Once upon a time, there was a show called "Jesse" starring that little hottie from "Married. . .with Children". There was an episode of "Jesse" in which Jesse falls for a math teacher who's also also a D&D player, and actually shows a session making fun all the way. Offensive? Sure. Funny? Yeah. C'mon, admit it. The producers did consult with Wizards at the time this was made. Which is something, isn't it?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Geek of the Week- Patton Oswalt
Patton Oswalt is a long-time self-confirmed D&D player. Besides that, he jokes about comics, pop culture, and even Mesopotamian cuneiform script.
Patton's book, which, unlike Snooky's, was actually written by him!
Patton telling jokes, which is what he does when he's not playing D&D or reading comics.
A related bit from a SCA sort of event.
Mr. Oswalt in his native environment, approach with caution
Below are the three bits he did for the show Reno 911. Now the guy who is wearing the helmet and is shot by the arrow is my old buddy Jack Conway, who used to be a customer in a comic store I ran a long time ago. It's really funny to see Jack in these segments, and he assures me that Patton really knows his D&D. Enjoy!
I believe this is the series that has the three segments.
| RENO 911! | ||||
| Magic Missile | ||||
| ||||
| RENO 911! | ||||
| Chaotic Evil | ||||
| ||||
| RENO 911! | ||||
| Moustache Petition | ||||
| ||||
I believe this is the series that has the three segments.
Patton's book, which, unlike Snooky's, was actually written by him!
Patton telling jokes, which is what he does when he's not playing D&D or reading comics.
A related bit from a SCA sort of event.
| RENO 911! | ||||
| Courtesy Flush | ||||
| ||||
Monday, January 3, 2011
Darkon, a review
At some point, a documentary film maker thought, "What sort of project should I do?" Somehow, defying all belief or logic, the answer was, "a bunch of nerds in costumes running around beating each other with boffers." Furthermore, and incredibly, that was the right answer. Andrew Neel & Luke Meyer have done an incredible job with Darkon.
Darkon is a brilliant documentary, managing to perfectly capture both the drama and excitement LARPers (Live Action Role Play) feel with the contrasting fear, revulsion, and judgement other may feel. The film explores a storyline that occurs within the game, where a small kingdom rebels against a large and imperialistic kingdom solely on principle alone, and the lives of some of the players including the two opposing leaders.
Darkon manages to put you inside the mindset of the players while, often simultaneously, showing you just how very nerdy the whole thing is. You get caught up in the drama of the brave little kingdom that opposes such an obviously crushing entity, and the drama of their individual lives. Kenyon Wells, a successful businessman who claims Darkon as the founding experience that brought him the confidence he needs to succeed. Rebecca Thormund, a former stripper who lives with her mother. Daniel Mcarthur, an overweight and incredibly awkward young man who has trouble fitting in even among the Darkon crew, who dreams of being accepted and finding the courage to talk to a girl.
The story is mainly, however, about Skip Lipman, the D&D playing house husband and dispossessed son of a mail-order game mogul who escapes into Darkon where he is the leader of his own kingdom. Skip is an immediately lovable loser, who cares about his wife and kids, dutifully cleans house, plays a lot of D&D, and occasionally stands up to tyrants. Skip discusses his life and how he came to his present circumstances, while engineering the resistance to the despotic Mordheim kingdom. Skip is a guy who doesn't know how to quit, and this fighting spirit shows on what are positively moving battle sequences.
Darkon is a D&D geek's movie, even if you've never even considered playing LARP. Darkon is heavily influenced by D&D, including a clan of treacherous dark elves and actual gold pieces. D&D in part of the parlance in the game, and figures into the character's personal lives as well. Skip, in particular, plays with his children and uses the miniatures to make battle plans for Darkon.
It's a worthy watch for people who don't play D&D, and for D&D players this movie is a must. Skip is now part of the lexicon, and Darkon now has a place in D&D culture. It's on the Netflix Instant watch, or you can use the links below.
Darkon is a brilliant documentary, managing to perfectly capture both the drama and excitement LARPers (Live Action Role Play) feel with the contrasting fear, revulsion, and judgement other may feel. The film explores a storyline that occurs within the game, where a small kingdom rebels against a large and imperialistic kingdom solely on principle alone, and the lives of some of the players including the two opposing leaders.
Darkon manages to put you inside the mindset of the players while, often simultaneously, showing you just how very nerdy the whole thing is. You get caught up in the drama of the brave little kingdom that opposes such an obviously crushing entity, and the drama of their individual lives. Kenyon Wells, a successful businessman who claims Darkon as the founding experience that brought him the confidence he needs to succeed. Rebecca Thormund, a former stripper who lives with her mother. Daniel Mcarthur, an overweight and incredibly awkward young man who has trouble fitting in even among the Darkon crew, who dreams of being accepted and finding the courage to talk to a girl.
Darkon is a D&D geek's movie, even if you've never even considered playing LARP. Darkon is heavily influenced by D&D, including a clan of treacherous dark elves and actual gold pieces. D&D in part of the parlance in the game, and figures into the character's personal lives as well. Skip, in particular, plays with his children and uses the miniatures to make battle plans for Darkon.
It's a worthy watch for people who don't play D&D, and for D&D players this movie is a must. Skip is now part of the lexicon, and Darkon now has a place in D&D culture. It's on the Netflix Instant watch, or you can use the links below.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Tim Duncan, the Merlin of the NBA
Those who watch the San Antonio Spurs may already know of the magic that is Tim Duncan. The superstar Texas basketball player has been playing leader for his team for most of his 13 year career. This epic level player is large sized at a towering 6 ft. 11 inches and combines at-will jump shots with powerful immediate interrupt shot blocking to make opponents dominated (until end of Duncan's next turn.)
What many don't know, and the reason Duncan is being named Geek of the Week, is that this NBA striker is also a D&D fan and player. Duncan, nicknamed "Mr. Spock" in college, is a quiet intellectual who enjoys D&D and fantasy video games. He sports a tattoo of Merlin on his chest and a skeletal jester on his back.
What many don't know, and the reason Duncan is being named Geek of the Week, is that this NBA striker is also a D&D fan and player. Duncan, nicknamed "Mr. Spock" in college, is a quiet intellectual who enjoys D&D and fantasy video games. He sports a tattoo of Merlin on his chest and a skeletal jester on his back.
Duncan also enjoys the Texas Renaissance Festival and sword and knife collecting. What is not known is what class he prefers, but I assume wizard from his tat. I'd love to have him in a session. I've got a spot at my table whenever you want Tim.
This useful action figure doubles as a giant miniature. I'm going to have to stat this up.
Tim's +3 Jersey of Jumping.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)