Main Topic: D&D - Pushing Boundaries: TSR/WoTC often pushed boundaries

Does D&D just have to be high fantasy?  The Various Editions and the Boundaries they pushed:

Old DnD (Oe) First of its name, Gygax and Arneson create a masterpiece of a game: no winners and never-ending story, delve into dungeons to get loot and gain power  

BECMI/RC Level to 36, immortals, XP for roleplaying, completing goals as well as defeating monsters, more classes, added weapon mastery, select personality and background, Mods -3 to +3  

1e Advanced More guidance, adventure types: dungeon, outdoor, town, focus on adventure and RP, Magic Resistance based on 11th level, race/class combos

Foolishness: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/473/759/2148159/   

Other media: The Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_(TV_series)

2e Advanced: THAC0, Standard magic resistance, Dragons awesome, Character Class groups, Spell caps, Specialty priests, settings, more narratively focused, bloat, The four horsemen: Parkinson, Elmore, Caldwell, Easley

Foolishness: Removing Gary Gygax: https://boingboing.net/2014/08/12/how-gary-gygax-lost-control-ov.html

Monstrous Compendium Binders: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstrous_Compendium

*Caving: (Removal of Devils and Demons) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_controversies#TSR_removes_Satanic_monsters

3e Selling to WoTC: https://www.enworld.org/threads/ryan-dancey-acquiring-tsr.661632/ in 1997- http://gamecabinet.com/news/TSRWotC.html

WoTC purchased by Hasbro- https://money.cnn.com/1999/09/09/deals/hasbro/   

The OGL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Game_License

The Creation of 3e: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_&_Dragons_3rd_edition  New approach, character build, Stat mods increased, FRW saves, Unified XP chart, Feats, skills, BAB and ascending AC, D20 checks high/good and low/bad, magic shop, CR, New Setting: Eberron

Chances taken: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Vile_Darkness

D&D The Movies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_(film_series)

4e: big changes, new direction, every class has powers: daily, at will and encounter, miniatures & maps required, informed by video games such as wow, cartoonish art/anime, divided fan base and gave room for PF. New setting: Points of Light: The Nentir Vale

The Creation of 4e: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_&_Dragons_4th_edition

Foolishness: Advertisement leading up to 4e: “Hey, let’s alienate old fans.” https://youtu.be/sbbqMoEwDqc

Funny: https://youtu.be/4UqFPujRZWo

5e: Lots of 3e stuff and bits of 4e (short and long rests), optional feat system, controlled character build, easy mode, characters rarely die, legendary and lair actions, DnD Beyond digital components become significantly useful after 2-3 editions of empty promises

Foolishness: https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/07/dd-wizards-of-the-coast-adds-disclaimer-to-legacy-content.html https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/spelljammer-race-controversy-hadozee

YouTube: Critical Role and the Rise of Actual Plays: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Role

ONE D&D Prediction!

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