Product Volume ≠ Players.

Someone recently commented on YouTube about how many products are listed under the OSR (Old School Renaissance) category on DriveThruRPG.com. I would like to politely point out that just because there are thousands of books, supplements, and adventure modules does not mean people are playing them.

One search of DriveThruRPG for OSR yielded 9,075 results. That’s pretty extensive. My guess is there are a few products in the wrong category and a lot of art or 2D counters. Still nothing to laugh at, however. Then there are companies that don’t even publish on DrivethruRPG.

The question that comes to my mind is, “How well do any of these products sell?” If you really think about what OSR means in terms of product, some of us have had everything we’ll ever need or want for Old School D&D for the last 40+ years or can get reprints. Then we start getting into retro clones and knockoffs. How many times do we need to buy the same set of rules?

Please understand, I’m not here to bash on the OSR.

There are plenty of wonderful people who play OSR style games. I’ve been getting more interested in Dungeon Crawl Classics and Old School Essentials myself, lately. I know plenty of well-meaning, good-intentioned, non-judgmental, caring, inclusive folx who just love to play games. It’s been stated many times over that there are good examples of inclusion and diversity to be found in the OSR community/subculture.

Our values align when it comes to gaming. We can all sit down at the same table for four hours and play our characters. Roleplaying is in my blood. I’ll be running RPG’s long after they wheel me into the old gamer’s home someday. I’m expecting at least one of my kids to really get into the hobby eventually.

We can focus on the “good actors” any time. (Eric) Tenkar has an outstanding YouTube channel and represents the best every chance he gets. Tom/Jedion is another YouTuber who works hard usually two or three times per week and conventions, etc. I’ve listened to both guys during this past year or two with the whole NuTSR debacle.

But is it enough to focus on the good ones?

What happens when a society doesn’t call attention to the “bad actors?” I’m sorry, family. There are bad actors in the OSR community, the broader RPG community, the RPG industry and (news flash) the rest of the world, too!

#DropDaveCon because they’re willing to support bigots, transphobes, homophobes and others who hate. It would be worth going to if/when they change their Guest of Honor. It might be a great convention, but is it great for everyone?

It’s not “Cancel Culture” as some have suggested. We’re not out to ban the OSR. It’s not an active threat. But what happens when we don’t speak up for friends and family who belong to groups that have been put down and marginalized for centuries? I’m often reminded of a poem:

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

Pastor Martin Niemöller

This is the longer version on the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust in Britain. It serves to remind all of us that if we don’t act when we can act, there might not be anyone left to act. Please, family, call people out on their crap when you hear it. One of the things the Nazis, the KKK, and most terrorists count on is indifference. The more oblivious we appear to be, the stronger they become.

It’s not another edition war, either.

Play whatever edition of D&D or whatever other RPG you like. Heck, ask me and I’ll recommend games all day. Take my word for it. Explore on your own and find whichever RPG works best for your group and you as a GM. No one has the right to restrict speech or the press (including the RPG industry) in the US.

As far as I know, no one has said it until now:

If the new One D&D and Wizards of the Coast no longer think in terms of editions, then I guess I can start creating 1st Edition AD&D adventures and they should port straight over into One D&D, right?

What do you mean, “lunatic?” Why won’t it work? OGL? Pfft. We don’t need no license. Stop telling me how to run (or print) my game! It’s fine.

At the rate we’re going, none of it might matter anyway.

Enjoy what you have today. Tomorrow is never promised to any of us. Please be kind to one another. Strive for peace when you can, fight for it otherwise.

Thank you for stopping by. You’re awesome. I appreciate you!