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Dungeons & Dragons Inducted Into Toy Hall of Fame (npr.org)
Snowgen writes: NPR reports that Dungeons and Dragons has been inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY: "The nomination process for the Toy Hall of Fame is open to the public -- but to get in, a toy has to be approved by 'historians, educators, and other individuals who exemplify learning, creativity, and discovery through their lives and careers.'" "More than any other game, Dungeons and Dragons paved the way for older children and adults to experience imaginative play," says Curator Nic Ricketts. "It was groundbreaking. And it opened the door for other kinds of table games that borrow many of its unique mechanics. But most importantly, Dungeons and Dragons' mechanics lent themselves to computer applications, and it had a direct impact on hugely successful electronic games like World of Warcraft." The report adds: "The list of 12 finalists for this year's honors had included bubble wrap, Care Bears, Clue, the coloring book, Nerf ball, pinball, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, Transformers and Uno. When it emerged in 1974, Dungeons and Dragons was groundbreaking, says curator Nic Ricketts of The Strong. In addition to its own merits, the game created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson established a pattern for how similar role-playing games might work -- both on table-tops and, eventually, on computers and other devices."
Most, if not all, of the toys I played with growing up are already in the hall including erector set, tinker toys, lincoln logs, lego and plenty of other examples. A positive story in a week of tension is appreciated even if not purely tech related.
It would have got in last year but it made a terrible roll against CHA.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
"You are in the hall of the mountain king."
Obligatory message from Jesus.
A toy. For children. Anyone past mental age of 14 still playing this has BIG issues.
The report adds: "The list of 12 finalists for this year's honors had included bubble wrap, Care Bears, Clue, the coloring book, Nerf ball, pinball, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, Transformers and Uno.
I spent many an hour playing D&D back in the day, but this is a travesty. Literally all of those things are more deserving than D&D except for bubble wrap. (WTF.)
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Bubble wrap is sure to win next year. It's the definitive safe-space toy for ages to come. Well, except for that choking hazard problem.
I was at most a casual and occasional D&D player in the 70's and 80's, but I remember D&D being blamed for everything under the sun, from teen suicides to cult formation and widespread brainwashing. There was a bit of moral panic in the popular press, and social outrage from certain religious types due to the game's references to demons and magic.
This was all in spite of the fact that D&D players always seemed cooler to me to hang out with and more intellectually inclined and curious than its vocal critics.
I guess there are new scapegoats...
and I am being sincere about it this time
If it's in a museum, does that mean that it is relegated to history?
Satan must be pleased to see his beloved devil-worshipping game inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame!
There is a Toy hall of Fame?
A toy. For children. Anyone past mental age of 14 still playing this has BIG issues.
Wow a 9th level Chartered Accountant!
I have absolutely no idea what the hell your (apparent) joke means.
Thanks!! You just made my day!!
"most importantly, Dungeons and Dragons' mechanics lent themselves to computer applications, and it had a direct impact on hugely successful electronic games like World of Warcraft"
That might be the most popular thing in the past few years but these games definitely lack the imaginative qualities being praised, they just borrow mechanics to create hallow shells that are themed interactive TV. The old tabletop dungeons and dragons games were not a hack and slash run through of canned content with miniatures, they were imaginative journey's authored by the DM and players in collaborative fashion.
Of course, eventually the DM gets writers block and nobody else steps up and the game falls apart. Hack and slash adventures/box modules were the less interesting cruft DM's tossed out for filler between good ideas. Games like World of Warcraft are nothing but the lowest of D&D content, pure hack and slash with no real imaginative content from players and the editions of the table top after WoTC took over were pretty much the same where min/maxing made sense because combat success was overplayed.
I blame you for not making your saving throw.
I liked the original cartoon better.
The cartoon came 9 years after the game.
No, I know for a fact that the cartoon came first, just like how Rubik's Cube was also a spin-off from the cartoon, regardless of how many people argue otherwise!!
(Seriously, yes I *know* the ******* Dungeons and Dragons and cartoon was a spin-off. I knew that thirty years ago when I was ten and had never played D&D in my life. It was a joke I hoped would wind people up- or get them to play along- in a more amusing manner than actually transpired. Whoosh!)
(Actually, I've *still* never played D&D in my life).
(Seriously, I can't believe they actually made a Rubik's Cube cartoon. I only discovered that one recently- don't think they ever showed it in the UK- but.... FFS! At least D&D one had the potential to make sense. The Rubik's Cube one seems like the most contrived attempt at building an animation around the fad least suited to a Saturday morning spin-off....)
....Dungeons and Dragons Never! I am Pardue, and I am a holy man!