Comments on: Now, the Twist: The Price of Freedom

By: Todd the Bladesmith

Todd the Bladesmith — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:17:59 +0000

I remember those days well also. Frustrating times on many fronts.

We all need to remember with great risk comes great reward…

Another great article in a great series.

By: The Bull

The Bull — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:26:42 +0000

Oh I remember the witchhunt of these days very well. Even in France and other european countries a big discussion was set loose about how dangerous RPGs can be for your children…

Fortunately the judges kept their calm!

As you mention, Colin, it all depends on your own comfy level as how far you go… or the little devil in your own twisted mind who simply loves to provoque others, who loves heated discussions about morals and about what human really means…

*devilish grin* oh yes – I so love to be the devils advocate! and to push my players out of their comfy zones for unique experiences they still remember 20 years later.

By: Marc Radle

Marc Radle — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:50:37 +0000

Great as always! I love hearing about the TSR days …

By: Wolfgang

Wolfgang — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:08:02 +0000

That list is most of what I remember as well, though I know it was a longer list. Khazars was new to me at the time, and is quite the mind-bender.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:10:27 +0000

Colin,

Thank you for this column! TSR’s Code of Ethics is an incredible attempt at maintaining creative freedom while also trying to soothe the fears of worried parents and non-gamers. It’s a mind bending read, and I loved it! I really appreciate the fact that you also show how *other* companies benefited from TSR’s attempt to walk the ethics line. This is a great article, I’m going to share this with Cultural Diversity students.
Thank you!
Mary

By: GeraintElberion

GeraintElberion — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:34:57 +0000

This column is an absolute joy.

By: Colin McComb

Colin McComb — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:00:34 +0000

Thank you, Dave! I’ve just gone looking for the list of inspirations, and hey, it looks like the primary inspirations page went the way of all flesh… or at least the way of all Geocities pages. I’m waiting for archive.org to pull it up, but just in case it decides to crap out: http://geocities.com/athens/7117/zinspiration/index.html

In the meantime, the books I recall specifically were:
Dictionary of the Khazars
Invisible Cities – Italo Calvino
Borges
Piranesi
Milorad Pavic
and…

well, I’m sure Wolfgang can help fill in the blanks here.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:42:21 +0000

Excellent read and a sad part of our history. Would really like to see what would’ve happened to the industry if people like Patricia Pulling hadn’t come along fearmongering. Do you have a link for Zeb Cook’s reading list — have been a Planescape fan for a long time. And thanks for all your work on our hobby, Colin!