D&D still has a bad reputation

[Finarvyn]

From the Giant in the Playground news section, it turns out that Dungeons & Dragons still has a bad reputation.

Read about it here.

[kesher]

I guess they failed their Saving Throw vs. Irony...

That is truly, truly sad.

[kenmeister]

Gary was very religious and I'm sure despised how his beloved game was viewed. A shame.

[Deleted]

Oct 31, 2008 12:35:57 GMT -6 kesher said:

That is truly, truly sad.

Indeed it is.

Since I don't donate to that charity in question, I'm not sure if sending a sincere e-mail or letter voicing my disappointment would help, but I do encourge any who have donated to do so as Giant in the Playground recommended.

It's really sad how ignorance of the hobby (and, specifically, D&D in particular) continues even after all these years...

[apeloverage]

However, this makes them look like weirdos rather than us.

[kesher]

You know, that's a really good point...

[korgoth]

It may be due to the fact that the money was raised by GenCon as an organization... ? If one organization takes money from another organization, it implies an endorsement. So I doubt (though I could be wrong) that it has anything to do with D&D specifically... if the CCF think that their donor base would find some aspect of GenCon questionable they might decide that to take the money from GenCon as an organization (rather than taking it from individuals) would cost them more money in the long run.

I don't know if they have larping at GenCon... but can you imagine somebody seeing V-Larp with guys dressed up as heretic vampire priests, etc.?

It's regrettable and everything, but I can at least see potential reasons why they might have backed away from the donation.

[thegreyelf]

Yeah, except GitP clarifies that the reason for the refusal was specifically that sales of D&D contributed to the money.

[korgoth]

Nov 3, 2008 7:48:03 GMT -6 thegreyelf said:

Yeah, except GitP clarifies that the reason for the refusal was specifically that sales of D&D contributed to the money.

I have no desire to start any "webwars" but I personally would require independent confirmation to assent to the proposed facts.

[Max]

Here is a story at The Escapist. I'm not sure it clarifies much though.

I *think* the issue is that CCF was only willing to take the GenCon donation anonymously -- their spokesperson states they "[can't] lend [their] name for publication because [their] policies have specific criteria for endorsements." It's unclear why D&D or GenCon violate those policies.

[coffee]

It's probably a matter of CCF not wanting people to use their name. They can't really vet all the organizations that donate, and they don't want to offend anyone. So they only accept anonymous donations -- that is, they don't let people say "We donated a bunch of money to CCF, so we're the good guys" because that implies that CCF endorses the donating organization.

I can kind of see their point.

On the other hand, if that is the case, they could have been much more clear. When someone does something good for you, it's in really bad taste to slap them around for it. And that's what it appeared they were doing, no matter what the actuality was.


I'm just glad the money did go to a worthy charity and not just into some organizer's pocket. That would have really caused a stink!

[oldgamergeek]

there are a lot of charities that would be glad to have our help and will look on us with favor .

[korgoth]

community.gencon.com/forums/t/18786.aspx

Thus my desire for independent confirmation.

[geoffrey]

Nov 7, 2008 11:51:00 GMT -6 korgoth said:

community.gencon.com/forums/t/18786.aspx

Thus my desire for independent confirmation.

Very interesting. Thanks for the link!

[kesher]

Korgoth, you called it. I'm now going to need to send that link to a few people...