[CZ]Jeff T. terminates association w/Gygax Games

[ghul]

Castle Zagyg fans,

It is my duty to inform you that I will no longer be working on Castle Zagyg materials. Prior to Gen Con, I was informed that Gygax Games was heading in a new direction, one that did not involve me as the lead developer of Gary's grand adventure, Castle Zagyg. Truly, the reasons for this can only be answered by Gygax Games.

Fellows, I had the time of my life working with Gary Gygax and seeing his bold vision of Castle Zagyg fulfilled, and to this end Castle Zagyg: The Upper Works was produced. Steve Chenault, Peter Bradley, Cory Caserta, and Robert Doyel were instrumental in assisting me. Ernie Gygax, Mark Ratner, and Jim Ward were very helpful interview subjects. And I would be remiss if I did not also mention Rob Kuntz, for although I did not have the opportunity to collaborate with him, I studied his body or works with a student's interest; his style, his tact. Gary Gygax was my mentor and inspiration, to whom I owe all the thanks for taking a chance on a relative unknown such as myself.

My friends, I bear no ill will toward Gygax Games. They have new vision and new interpretation of Gary's legacy, and it is their unquestionable right to handle their property as they see fit. I was offered a lesser position with Gygax Games, an organizational role, but this I declined.

I'd like to thank all the fans for their wonderful support and patience as I developed Gary's masterpiece, and I hope the adventures I took part in creating are enjoyed across many a dinner table. It was my distinct honor and pleasure to work for and with the greatest legend in the history of role playing games, and I will forever cherish that.

This is not my farewell, fellows. I have been busy on a new project that I hope to begin promoting as its development progresses. Thank you for your support! Undoubtedly there will be questions the likes of which I may not be able to answer, so please be patient with me if I must repeatedly refer you to Gygax Games.

Best wishes,
Jeffrey Talanian

[geneweigel]

Yow!

So no more TLG CZ? Is that what you're saying? What about the work so far? Are they starting over without Gary's supervision?

[ghul]

Oct 6, 2008 9:08:54 GMT -5 geneweigel said:

Yow!

So no more TLG CZ? Is that what you're saying? What about the work so far? Are they starting over without Gary's supervision?

Hi Gene,

I don't know if TLG and Gygax Games have a future. That is something I'm sure one party or the other will announce sooner or later.

Regarding the work so far, you'll have to ask Spencer Wright what they intend to do with Castle Zagyg. I am out of the loop at this point.

Thanks for the interest,
Jeff T.

[geneweigel]

Thanks for the fast reply. For your involvement, I'm glad that you can be so nice about it but on the other hand regarding what the fans are going to get, I'm more than a bit worried that I'm going to get yet another non-Gygax dungeon that has all the cover names but none of the atmosphere (as you can guess!!!).

Geez, well, I hope everything works out for you at least.

[Scott]

Ahhh, that sucks.
Thanks for sharing and discussing what you could.
Do keep us in the loop for your new project.

[GT]

Errr--actually I knew about this, but I was bound to silence, as Jeff can tell you. I believe CZ will proceed until finished, but the best situation would be if Jeff could be worked back into the equation after the splendid job he did on the Upper Works, IMHO! I also await his solo project with baited breath, as I can attest that he is one possessed of boundless creativity!

[geneweigel]

Whats all this talk that there was no fleshing out of the dungeons for publication?

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

[geneweigel]

Sorry, I was referring to the latest post by Steve at Troll Lords:

This (sic: UPPER WORKS) was the last project that Gary worked on, he put his all into it and he did so with Jeffrey Talanian.

Does this mean they're going to be using the campaign notes from scratch for the dungeons?

[Scott]

It seems that the only people to know, ain't talkin' at the moment.

[geneweigel]

Hmmm...so it seems like it'll be this unknown guy "Wright" (who has a real wonky rpg taste from what I've gleaned off the net[I'm such a bastard!]), the SLAYER'S GUIDE dude and the WORLD BUILDERS/INSIDIAE dude will be the ones doing it.

Thats a big bag of mixed feelings for me right there.

I wish Ernie would stop what ever he's doing and step up to the plate...

HELP US, "ERNIE SERTEN OBI", YOU'RE OUR ONLY HOPE!

[geneweigel]

Well, it appears that Mongoose Publishing is doing yet another Lejendary Adventures:

I saw this link posted over at the Knights of Knaves Alehouse forum:

forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=418521

I'm getting a SLAYER'S GUIDE TO CASTLE GREYHAWK feeling, folks...

Who are these mysterious "gygaxians" they speak of? Or do you think thats just a load of flash?

[Scott]

Just a load of flash.

[geneweigel]

Yeah, who knows?

I should have a boot camp to see if they're up to the job...

PRIVATE "ELMINSTER"! FRONT AND CENTER!

Yes, sir. Drill Sargent Weigel, sir? My name isn't "Elminster" it-...

What kind of a monster has a THREE PAGE SPECIFIC HISTORY?!?

An...er...uh..an elaborate one? Sir..?

THATS NOT THE KIND OF GAME WE PLAY HERE, PRIVATE!

But, sir, you said it needed 3 pages of more content, sir?

YOU WILL SPEAK WHEN SPOKEN TO, PRIVATE "ELMINSTER"! YOU CALL THAT CONTENT? YOU COULDN'T "CONTENT" A FLY'S ***** WITH THAT ****!!! NOW DO TWENTY THOUSAND "DM SCREEN STAND UP MINIATURE CHECKS"!!!

[ghul]

Oct 6, 2008 9:36:36 GMT -5 geneweigel said:

Thanks for the fast reply. For your involvement, I'm glad that you can be so nice about it but on the other hand regarding what the fans are going to get, I'm more than a bit worried that I'm going to get yet another non-Gygax dungeon that has all the cover names but none of the atmosphere (as you can guess!!!).

Geez, well, I hope everything works out for you at least.

Thanks Gene. Of course, I can't speculate on the future of the Castle Zagyg project. For the sake of the fans, I can only hope the next developer does not ignore all hooks and set-ups included in The Upper Works. I hope that the subtlety of some of these devices does not escape the attentions of the developer, but it's truly out of my hands. Thank you for the warm wishes, mate.

Best,
Jeff T.

PS: looking forward to your often alluded to project as well, dude.

[ghul]

Oct 6, 2008 14:17:17 GMT -5 GT said:

Errr--actually I knew about this, but I was bound to silence, as Jeff can tell you. I believe CZ will proceed until finished, but the best situation would be if Jeff could be worked back into the equation after the splendid job he did on the Upper Works, IMHO! I also await his solo project with baited breath, as I can attest that he is one possessed of boundless creativity!

GT! Hello mate. I'm afraid it's not likely that I have a future with Gygax Games, but I do appreciate the kind thoughts and words!

All the best,
Jeff T.

[geneweigel]

Oct 8, 2008 22:01:05 GMT -5 ghul said:

Thanks Gene. Of course, I can't speculate on the future of the Castle Zagyg project. For the sake of the fans, I can only hope the next developer does not ignore all hooks and set-ups included in The Upper Works.

Well, you know what they say about "if it can it will"!

Oct 8, 2008 22:01:05 GMT -5 ghul said:

: looking forward to your often alluded to project as well, dude.

You mean the the endless wall of projects spell that I've been under for the past three years?

Well this monster book is finished wait whats the context? Better have an adventure. Wait where should it be placed? Better have a "world" for it. Wait what dimension are these coming from? Better make my own cosmic layout. Wait what game format? Better have my own system. Wait what if its too different better endlessly reread D20. Wait what the hell was I doing?

[amalric]

Sorry to hear your news, Jeff.