The History of Dungeons & Dragons Isn't What You Think

In his new book Slaying the Dragon, Ben Riggs takes a deep dive into the history of TSR, the company behind Dungeons & Dragons. The book, which draws on a wealth of insider accounts and leaked documents, presents a surprising new perspective on the downfall of TSR. "I thought the story was going to be, 'Wizards of the Coast made Magic: The Gathering … and it just sucked all the oxygen out of the room and killed TSR,'" Riggs says in Episode 521 of the Geek's Guide to the Galaxy podcast. "That was the story I was expecting. It was not at all the story I was told. The story I was told was one of mismanagement and mistakes and errors, and a death by a thousand cuts, and a failure to expand, and a failure to find new people to play D&D." TSR products were lavishly illustrated, had great production values, and were affordably priced.