Over the past five decades, Dungeons & Dragons have evolved and expanded, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in tabletop gaming. Rulebooks, supplements, and expansions have been released, offering players new options for characters, settings, and adventures. From the medieval-inspired realms of the classic Forgotten Realms setting, to the horror-themed world of Ravenloft and the steampunk wonders of Eberron, D&D has explored a vast tapestry of genres and themes, keeping the game fresh and entertaining.
To mark the 50th Anniversary, a new book about how Dungeons & Dragons came to be, has been released. The Making of Original D&D is an extraordinary collection of rare documents that shed light on the game’s origin story. It contains materials never released to the public, including Gary Gygax’s first draft, and early published writings such as the 1974 original D&D “white box” booklets and supplements. Each document is featured alongside insightful commentary from one of the game’s foremost historians, Jon Peterson.
The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons: 1970 – 1977
Here is the ultimate record of how Dungeons & Dragons came to be. The Making of Original D&D is an extraordinary collection of rare documents that shed light on D&D’s origin story. Uncover materials never released to the public, including Gary Gygax’s first draft of original D&D, and early published writings such as the 1974 original D&D “white box” booklets and supplements. Each document is featured alongside insightful commentary from one of the game’s foremost historians, Jon Peterson.
Contents:
- Unearth the very first draft of original D&D, never released to the public until now. Crafted on Gygax’s home typewriter, this 1973 document contains handwritten notes by both Gygax and Arneson.
- Discover approximately 30 early articles and rare documents that lay the foundation for modern D&D, including unpublished correspondence between Gygax and Arneson.
- Peruse a remarkable collection of magazine and fanzine articles, many of which are no longer publicly available or remain undiscovered by D&D historians and fans of classic D&D.
- Flip through facsimiles of all the first printings of Original D&D, compiled in a single book for the first time in D&D’s publishing history.
- Explore the creation and development of the original 1974 game with insightful commentary by Jon Peterson, one of D&D’s foremost historians.
- Commemorate our 50th anniversary with this homage to D&D’s past. We invite you to look back on D&D’s history with a discerning eye as we celebrate how far D&D has come. Here’s to 50 years, and 50 more!
D&D is here to stay
In the realm of tabletop gaming, few titles command the same level of reverence and admiration as D&D. Since its first publication in 1974 by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, Dungeons & Dragons has captivated the hearts and minds of millions worldwide, shaping the landscape of gaming and inspiring a generation of players.
From character creation to decision-making during gameplay, every choice matters and contributes to the unfolding narrative. This collaborative storytelling aspect has fostered a sense of camaraderie and shared experience among players, making it one of the top tabletop games for socializing and networking. Many would agree that strong friendships have been forged because of the game.
Launch of new Player’s Handbook
Fans can look forward to a new, revised and expanded Player’s Handbook that will be launched in September this year. It is the biggest Player’s Handbook in Dungeons & Dragons history and reflects ten years of feedback from the D&D community worldwide. The Handbook contains rules for character creation and advancement, exploration, combat, equipment, spells, and much more.
You can find out more about the book on the SolarPop website.
