Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Mar 31, 2005 8:53:49	I'm looking for a little help from fans or veterans of first edition Dungeons and Dragons, what we used to call AD&D, back in the early days. I've taken on a rather imposing project, converting Wizard of the Coast's slipshod 1E downloads into a more impressive, more professional set of pdf files. Don't ask why; if you played the game 30 years ago, when it was in its infancy, these old modules and rulebooks have a special place in your heart. If you think it's nuts, well, there's little I can say that would convince you. Suffice to say that some of these modules are approaching their 25th or 30th anniversaries. And some of the artwork -- particularly stuff from Erol Otus, Jim Roslof and others -- is exceptional, and deserves proper preservation. Each module (legally bought and paid for, I should add) was converted out of pdf, into Word, edited and polished, then converted back into pdf format for a very clean, very crisp-looking product. Pictures were balanced and sharpened, and on the whole, the entire module is a far cry better than what WotC sells through the SVGames web site. So here's the problem: I'm trying to find someone within the WotC hierarchy to at least look at the restored versions, and possibly offer them for sale in place of the murky, low-res, skewed scans that are up for sale now. I don't expect WotC to buy back their own property. I would like to see these documents given a fresh look, one that befits a game that has become part of our culture. I consider this a labor of love, and again, if you cut your teeth on D&D back in the 70's and 80's, you'll understand. If you have any contacts, e-mail or otherwise, within WotC, I would love an introduction. I can't get past the automated customer service replies to find an open ear. In one sense, I can't blame them (God knows how many wackos call them up in a day), but on the other hand, I'm a little tired of canned e-mails promising to forward my comments to the appropriate department. Yes, I also contacted Gary Gygax, and while he was cordial, he's short on time and couldn't offer any advice. Thanks, folks. I appreciate any help that anyone out there might be able to give. Cheers, msephiri P.S.: No, I can't e-mail you the restored versions, since they're still property of WotC. P.P.S.: I've posted a duplicate of this threat at rec.games.frp.dnd on Google Groups. If you can think of another place it belongs, please let me know.
#2 zombiegleemax Mar 31, 2005 12:29:21	Charles Ryan is Category Manager for WotC RPGs (or something similar, I forget the exact title) and posts on these boards. I would suggest PMing him directly and seeing if he can help you. Here's a link to his member profile: http://boards1.wizards.com/member.php?userid=162418
#3 zombiegleemax Apr 01, 2005 0:21:54	I think you should be taking this to the people from RPG Now, since they are the ones who seem to be in charge of the PDF's. I don't really think WotC has much intrest on the quality of vintage PDF's, but the people who actually sell them might. As for Gary, he won't comment on anything AD&D related from the Williams and specially the WotC eras, nor about his current opinion on the company. At any rate, I highly doubt there's anything he or any of friends can do to help you out, here. Now, as someone who also purchased the 1st edition books, I have one thing to add: GIMME!! GIMME!! GIMME!! GIMME!!! GIMME!!! GIMMEEEE!!!!!