Thom reviewed Game Wizards by Jon Peterson
Review of 'Game Wizards' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
A business history of TSR during the tenure of Gary Gygax - from founding to takeover. Chapters as years played out in turns like a major game of Diplomacy, which is both humorous and a connection to the earliest forms of D&D (see [b:Playing at the World: A History of Simulating Wars, People, and Fantastic Adventure from Chess to Role-Playing Games|15784870|Playing at the World A History of Simulating Wars, People, and Fantastic Adventure from Chess to Role-Playing Games|Jon Peterson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1350579412l/15784870.SX50.jpg|21502915] ).
This book is more accessible than that weighty tome, with less specifics of early D&D and more focus on the business of TSR and Gencon. It is apparent that a huge amount of research went into this - all well detailed in the end notes and index. Jon Peterson has provided an unbiased accounting of this epic battle. Unfortunately, neither of the principle characters is around to comment …
A business history of TSR during the tenure of Gary Gygax - from founding to takeover. Chapters as years played out in turns like a major game of Diplomacy, which is both humorous and a connection to the earliest forms of D&D (see [b:Playing at the World: A History of Simulating Wars, People, and Fantastic Adventure from Chess to Role-Playing Games|15784870|Playing at the World A History of Simulating Wars, People, and Fantastic Adventure from Chess to Role-Playing Games|Jon Peterson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1350579412l/15784870.SX50.jpg|21502915] ).
This book is more accessible than that weighty tome, with less specifics of early D&D and more focus on the business of TSR and Gencon. It is apparent that a huge amount of research went into this - all well detailed in the end notes and index. Jon Peterson has provided an unbiased accounting of this epic battle. Unfortunately, neither of the principle characters is around to comment on this work.
It does have dry moments, whether business and banking or legalities and lawsuits (neither published by TSR). I wanted to know more about acquisition by Wizards of the Coast, or how Dragon and Dungeon eventually ended up with Paizo - but I suspect that is more of a book than a chapter, and it didn't involve Gygax or Arneson.
This was a fairly quick read, from the local library. Unlike Playing at the World, I've read this and enjoyed it, but have no desire to own it. Factor that into your own ratings as you will - I would say this is a solid 4 stars.