My wife and I went to CAX (California Extreme) this year, a huge two-day gathering of classic and new pinball and video arcade cabinets and tables, all at the convention center at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara, and we didn't need any quarters. I've written about it before, but I barely mentioned the video arcade cabinets.
So I've been looking for a game system to play. There's Basic D&D (Basic/Expert; which I have been playing a little), D&D modern (aka 5th ed.), and AD&D (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, aka 1st ed., though I'm including 2nd edition under "AD&D").
I've been reading this book lately. Very interesting, and highly recommended for anyone who is interested in the early history of role playing games (RPGs).
Update: I finished reading it and can't wait to dig into volume 2!
I don't actually miss the 1980s or even the 1990s. Sure the computers were better back then, but its kind of hard to look back and be overly fond of the 1980s. There were high spots to be sure, but mostly because this is a gaming blog, I tend to fixate on the games.
I did other things during these times, granted. I read a lot, even watched a bit of television, mostly in the 1990s when Babylon 5 was on. And the early 1990s introduced me to a lot of films I ignored during the 70s and 80s. And culturally, I remain a bit of a work in progress.
So, unlike the Lone Wolf books, I cannot remember how I came by Dungeon of Dread. It was earlier than the Lone Wolf books, for sure, but the circumstances are simply lost to time and memory. I lived in Japan, the book came my way, I purchased it new, and that's all I can say on the matter.
RIP James Ward, author of many many games and a game designer of many games. Notable on my shelf is the Deities and Demigods Advanced Dungeons and Dragons expansion, but of course he did more.
Sorry, not been using the lappy much lately as I need to replace the charging cord. anyway, lots of doctors appointments and stuff keep us hopping, but I've been able to make a few things;
Mr Jon Haines has digitized the old issues of Wargamer's Newsletter. effectively a fanzine for collectors and gamers with toy soldiers from the 1960s it was Donald Featherstone and Jack Scruby's trumpet, directly influencing the likes of Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax and the guys in the Castles and Crusade society.https://www.fourcats.co.uk/mags/?fbclid=IwAR0QURCwV_70GfhnDCiBPvsfsKfPX_ZSduXQkYS_KW0e3AT4kbNY45gUYC8
