I've been tasked as the spokesman for a plurality of traditional and OSR gamers to ask conventions a very important question in light of Gencon and Origins banning the new TSR over Ernie Gygax Jr.'s interview. Maybe you aren't aware of it, but it's been all over social media lately.
I have to ask if your convention will be accepting of non-woke, non-SJW gamers, gamers who reject that particular ideology, who are openly conservative, who are sick and tired of being harassed by the radical-left and labeled racists, bigots, nazis, whatever phobes and ists, white supremacists, etc. just because we don't subscribe to recent, reality-warping theories of gender identity, critical race theory, and anything having to do with cultural Marxism.
As an example, if you'd allow someone to wear a Black Lives Matter t-shirt, but not a MAGA hat... that's a serious problem. Similarly, if individuals such as Ben Shapiro and Jordan Peterson would not be allowed to attend, that speaks volumes about the egregious levels of gatekeeping in the gaming community.
If politically moderate, old-school liberal, libertarian, right-leaning gamers and just normal people who want to game without politics (including leftist politics) aren't welcome, then there's no reason for my continued presence at your gaming convention until mainstream, middle-America values are tolerated once again.
Hundreds of us (soon thousands, I hope) are sick and tired of being excluded from our beloved hobby by those championing (in name only) inclusion, diversity, and equity. The culture of RPGs has always been welcoming, decent, and law-abiding, but our past seems to be continually altered by revisionists to make it seem like everyone in Lake Geneva, WI circa 1974 owned slaves!
I'm sure you have been around long enough to know our hobby was pretty darn great back in the good old days, even though there have always been and will always be exceptions. Now... well, we're not so sure.
Sincerely,
Venger As'Nas Satanis
High Priest of Kort'thalis Publishing
Thank You for writing this... political activism and agendas have ruined the gaming community. I hope this helps in some small part, because as a conservative libertarian... the gatekeeping is real.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate it, hoss! Yes, it's time we started engaging with the politically charged RPG culture.
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DeleteLooking forward to how this campaign and education develops. It WILL impact how I spend my money and time in the future.
ReplyDeleteI'll post an update next week when I have more info.
DeleteAwesome.
ReplyDeleteDifficulties posting a comment or just that excited to read my letter?
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me why I avoid supporting you. Cancelled my pledge for your latest Kickstarter - not that it will matter or should, the Kickstarter's doing well and I don't begrudge you that.
ReplyDeleteAnother Left-Winger who thinks he's Christian.
DeleteBecause...?
DeleteSJWs think they are doing Jesus' work. Anyway, Democrats make terrible Christians. See abortion.
DeleteYes
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ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your post! We just want to game, we don't care about your politics, your orientation, or much else (except maybe your personal hygiene, lol), as long as you are a good gamer, or at least willing to learn. Looking forward to hearing more from you about this.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Too bad they won't listen. I'm checking out Encounter Critical now on Drivethru. Thanks for putting it up for free.
ReplyDeleteSome will listen, I think. Thanks!
DeleteGenCon showed their true colors with the Jeremy Hambley incident. Nothing about the Ernie Gygax ban surprises me.
ReplyDeleteomgoodness i didnt even know there was a new TSR lol
ReplyDeletei've been behind in pop culture
do you know if they still storm TSR at Gencon? that is a hoot :3
and during the unveiling of M:tA people reporting individual cards in each ahem in the bathrooms lol
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ReplyDeleteHere here.
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to figure out how this red munchkin infestation got so bad. Did someone feed them after midnight? Has the Wicked Witch of San Francisco been up to more than her usual malicious mischief?
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