So here's the revised list of chapters for my Kickstarter:

FOREWARD
INTRODUCTION
UNSTATED ASSUMPTIONS – WARGAMING
PLAYER SKILL
LESSNARD ALONE!
UNSTATED ASSUMPTIONS – D&D AND DIPLOMACY
UNSTATED ASSUMPTIONS – D&D AND CHAINMAIL
UNSTATED ASSUMPTIONS – D&D AND TRACTICS
YRAG, XAGYG, REDNIBLLEPS, AND GRONAN
FANTASTIC MEDIEVAL WARGAMES CAMPAIGN
SETTING ERNIE ON FIRE and TIM AND THE BALROGS
GARY incl THE NIGHT WE FED ERNIE TO THE MONSTER and NO KILLING THE PRINCESS
DAVE SUTHERLAND
DAVE incl NECROSS THE (HA HA HA!) MAD
UP IN THE AIR, JUNIOR BIRDMEN!
GARY AND DAVE
WHY PAY US TO HAVE FUN FOR YOU
GHOULASH THE BALROG AND THE ORCS
GARY LOSES CONTROL OF HIS GAME
PHIL
ONCE THERE WAS A LAND CALLED GREYHAWK inc 99 SIDED RANDOM MONSTER DIE
GARY GYGAX GAME DESIGN
MY GREYHAWK BALROG AND WIZARD TIMES
PLAYING IN GREYHAWK AND BLACKMOOR
BUT HOW DO I DO IT
THE GREATEST UNSTATED ASSUMPTION
THE LOST END GAME
THINGS PEOPLE DON'T KNOW
THE DJINN, THE BALROG, AND THE PANCAKE OF THREE WISHES
OUTDOOR SURVIVAL
AFTERWORD

My question is, is there anything anybody would like to know about that I've left out?  The parameters are that it's before 1977 (before AD&D 1E).  Also, I'm not interested in one-sentence or one-paragraph subjects like "Did you ever encounter a Tarrasque" or "Did Gary Gygax use miniatures for D&D?"; I'm looking for subjects people are interested in that would require fairly long answers, between 500 words anywhere up to 5000 words.

Thanks.

Changes, if any, between the fans and players then. And the fans and players now.

Changes between RPG designers then and RPG designers now.

Experiences with the D&D Hysteria & Witch Hunts if any?

Desperately clamoring for attention at TBP?

Quote from: JeremyR;791268Desperately clamoring for attention at TBP?

Go fuck yourself.

And when you're done, tongue my pee hole.

IDK, I think a one-paragraph joke chapter can work, I'm sure you could think of one.

The chapter list seems good.

1) Do you think that was a joke?
2) There are actually interesting posters there, and despite my inclinations I do not intend to turn this book into a rant about the superiority of my taste in gaming.

Quote from: Omega;791267Changes, if any, between the fans and players then. And the fans and players now.

Changes between RPG designers then and RPG designers now.

Experiences with the D&D Hysteria & Witch Hunts if any?

I really don't have much experience with fans, players, and RPG designers now, and it goes against my "before 1977" guidelines.  I hesitate to use my experiences on the internet as any sort of authority.

I was in my late 20s when the whole hysteria hit, so it had virtually no effect on me, and it was after 1977.

Gary and religion, how he felt about designing the spiritual dimension of the game.

When did genres other that fantasy/science fantasy enter the conversation as potential future designs, and which ones excited who?

The handling of stealth.

Quote from: Old Geezer;7913101) Do you think that was a joke?
2) There are actually interesting posters there, and despite my inclinations I do not intend to turn this book into a rant about the superiority of my taste in gaming.

My comment was in relation to this...

Quote from: Old Geezer;791265Also, I'm not interested in one-sentence or one-paragraph subjects like "Did you ever encounter a Tarrasque" or "Did Gary Gygax use miniatures for D&D?"; I'm looking for subjects people are interested in that would require fairly long answers, between 500 words anywhere up to 5000 words.

Something like,

DID GARY GYGAX GIVE WOMEN A NEGATIVE STRENGTH MODIFIER BECAUSE HE HATED WOMEN
Pee hole, mine: tongue.

...but, you know, funny.

Perhaps a chapter on the cultural and entertainment environment of the 70s, and how that informed the game?

I think everyone should chill out; I like making fun of OG as much as any well adjusted person should, but I think it will be interesting and cool to read through a detailed account of his memories of the whole scene. Over on the dreaded P I chimed in that I would particularly like to hear about the ca. 1972-5 era when Chainmail was the book at the table but something a but beyond that was being played. This experience was my entry to the hobby (though alone and a couple years later), so I'm quite curious to hear what was going through people's heads.

I'm not sure if it's included in your afterword but maybe a synopsis of where the hobby has gone and your reintroduction into it via forum authority and fandome of the beginning from your perspective.  It may not be relevant to the topic but to why the book was written.

Some really good stuff here, thanks.  Much of this stuff is already in there, but there's some stuff to add.  More like fleshing out existing chapters, but heck, you folks can't know that.

Like, yeah, I spend a good chunk talking about what it was like as CHAINMAIL transmogrified.

Quote from: Ladybird;791339

My comment was in relation to this...



Something like,

DID GARY GYGAX GIVE WOMEN A NEGATIVE STRENGTH MODIFIER BECAUSE HE HATED WOMEN
Pee hole, mine: tongue.

...but, you know, funny.

Which syllable of "pre-1977" is too hard to understand?

I want a Dave vs. Gary chapter.

I am quite interested in your thoughts on the GM style of Dave Arneson vs. the GM style of Gary Gygax, both how they approached the game rules, the development of their campaigns and how they evolved as GMs over time (or not). Also, any other notable GMs of the era who "invented" stuff that became standard, or more importantly GM stuff that didn't become canon in game books.

Quote from: Old Geezer;791265"Did Gary Gygax use miniatures for D&D?"

I would be interested in at least 500 words on how the use of miniatures and maps at the table changed and evolved, also differences in how use of minis by GMs of the era. Minis and grids are such an iconic part of D&D, whether you use them or not, so exploring that development would be great.

Quote from: Armchair Gamer;791340Perhaps a chapter on the cultural and entertainment environment of the 70s, and how that informed the game?

I agree. The 70s are an alien planet compared to 2014. I think it will be important to remind the audience about how the era affected the development and popularity of the game.

BTW, why are you cutting off at 1977?