Old School Renaissance

Last updated

The Old School Renaissance, Old School Revival, [1] or OSR is a play style movement in tabletop role-playing games which draws inspiration from the earliest days of tabletop RPGs in the 1970s, especially Dungeons & Dragons . [2] It consists of a loose network or community of gamers and game designers [3] who share an interest in a certain style of play and set of game design principles. [4]

Contents

Terminology

The terms "old school revival" and "old school renaissance" were first used on the Dragonsfoot forum as early as 2004 [5] and 2005, [6] [7] respectively, to refer to a growing interest in older editions of Dungeons and Dragons and games inspired by those older editions. By February of 2008, a pre-launch call for submissions for Fight On! magazine described it as "a quarterly fanzine for the old-school Renaissance". [8] The two terms (revival and renaissance) continue to be used interchangeably according to user preference, [9] though a 2018 survey found that most respondents understood the R in OSR to mean "renaissance" over "revival", with "rules" and "revolution" as distant third- and fourth-place choices. [10] Ben Milton describes the use of "Revival" as a return to older role-playing games, and "Renaissance" as taking inspiration from the kinds of play they engendered. [11]

History

The OSR movement first developed in the early 2000s, primarily in discussion on internet forums such as Dragonsfoot, Knights & Knaves Alehouse, and Original D&D Discussion, as well as on a large and diverse network of blogs. [12] Partly as a reaction to the publication of the Third Edition of Dungeons and Dragons, [13] interest in and discussion of "old school" play also led to the creation of Dungeons and Dragons retro-clones (legal emulations of RPG rules from the 1970s and early 1980s), including games such as Castles & Crusades and OSRIC which were developed in OSR-related forums. [14] Zines dedicated to OSR content, such as Fight On! and Knockspell, began to be published as early as 2008. [15] [16] [17]

In addition to the development of internet platforms and printed rule books, other printed OSR products became widely available. In 2008, Matthew Finch (creator of OSRIC) released his free "Quick Primer for Old School Gaming", which tried to sum up the OSR aesthetic. [18] [19] Print-on-demand sites such as Lulu and DriveThruRPG allowed authors to market periodicals, such as Fight On! and many new adventure scenarios and game settings. These continue to be created and marketed, along with older, formerly out of print gaming products, via print-on-demand services. [20]

In 2012, Wizards of the Coast began publishing reprints and PDFs of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons and Dungeons and Dragons Basic Set materials, possibly in response to a perceived market for these materials driven by the OSR. [21]

By the early 2020s, the OSR had inspired such diverse developments in tabletop gaming that new classifications such as "BrOSR", "Classic OSR", "OSR-Adjacent", "Nu-OSR" and "Commercial OSR" were being used. [22]

Games

A variety of published RPGs can be understood to be influenced by or part of the OSR trend, ranging from emulations of specific editions of Dungeons and Dragons such as OSRIC [23] Old-School Essentials , [24] and Labyrinth Lord [25] to games such as The Black Hack , Mörk Borg , and Electric Bastionland , which are designed to recreate the "feel" of 1970s roleplaying while taking only slight (if any) inspiration from the early rules. [26]

Broadly, OSR games encourage a tonal fidelity to Dungeons & Dragons as it was played in the first decade of the game's existence—less emphasis on predefined endings, and a greater emphasis on player choice determining the fate of characters. OSR Games provide play where wrong decisions can easily become lethal for characters and do not guarantee satisfying endings to character arcs. Characters live and die by player choice as opposed to the story's needs. [27]

Style of play

Matthew Finch, in his 2008 book A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming, sets out the four pillars of OSR:

  1. Rulings from the gamemaster are more important than rule books. Concoct a clever plan and let the gamemaster rule on it.
  2. Player skill is more important than character abilities. Outwit the enemy, don't simply out-fight them.
  3. Emphasize the heroic, not the superheroic. Success lies in experience, not superpowers.
  4. Game balance is not important. If the characters meet a more powerful opponent, either think of a clever plan or run away. [28] [29]

See also

Related Research Articles

Open gaming is a movement within the tabletop role-playing game (RPG) industry with superficial similarities to the open source software movement. The key aspect is that copyright holders license their works under public copyright licenses that permit others to make copies or create derivative works of the game.

<i>Dungeon Masters Guide</i> Role-playing game rulebook

The Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. The Dungeon Master's Guide contains rules concerning the arbitration and administration of a game, and is intended for use by the game's Dungeon Master.

The Open Game License (OGL) is a public copyright license by Wizards of the Coast that may be used by tabletop role-playing game developers to grant permission to modify, copy, and redistribute some of the content designed for their games, notably game mechanics. However, they must share-alike copies and derivative works.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owlbear</span> Fictional monster from Dungeons & Dragons

An owlbear is a fictional creature originally created for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. An owlbear is depicted as a cross between a bear and an owl, which "hugs" like a bear and attacks with its beak. Inspired by a plastic toy made in Hong Kong, Gary Gygax created the owlbear and introduced the creature to the game in the 1975 Greyhawk supplement; the creature has since appeared in every subsequent edition of the game. Owlbears, or similar beasts, also appear in several other fantasy role-playing games, video games and other media.

Several different editions of the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) fantasy role-playing game have been produced since 1974. The current publisher of D&D, Wizards of the Coast, produces new materials only for the most current edition of the game. However, many D&D fans continue to play older versions of the game and some third-party companies continue to publish materials compatible with these older editions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of role-playing games</span>

The history of role-playing games began when disparate traditions of historical reenactment, improvisational theatre, and parlour games combined with the rulesets of fantasy wargames in the 1970s to give rise to tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). Multiple TTRPGs were produced between the 1970s and early 1990s. In the 1990s, TTRPGs faced a decline in popularity. Indie role-playing game design communities arose on the internet in the early 2000s and introduced new ideas. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, TTRPGs experienced renewed popularity due to videoconferencing, the rise of actual play, and online marketplaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Role-playing game terms</span> Words used in a specific sense in the context of role-playing games

Role-playing games (RPGs) have developed specialized terminology. This includes both terminology used within RPGs to describe in-game concepts and terminology used to describe RPGs. Role-playing games also have specialized slang and jargon associated with them.

OSR may refer to:

EN World, also known as Morrus' Unofficial Tabletop RPG News, is a British-owned tabletop role-playing game news and reviews website. The website is run and owned by Russ Morrissey ("Morrus"). It reports current news and provides insight into major product releases before they are officially unveiled. EN World was the original host of the ENNIE Awards.

Lenard William Lakofka was an American writer of material for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. Although never a formal employee of TSR, the company that published Dungeons & Dragons, Lakofka was an influential voice in the development of the game. He was one of the playtesters of the game as it was being developed, an editor of early manuscripts, wrote a widely-read monthly D&D magazine column and two official D&D adventures, and had his home campaign setting of the Lendore Isles incorporated into Gary Gygax's World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Mearls</span> American game designer

Michael Mearls is an American writer and designer of fantasy role-playing games (RPGs) and related fiction.

<i>Pathfinder Roleplaying Game</i> Tabletop role-playing game

The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game is a fantasy role-playing game (RPG) that was published in 2009 by Paizo Publishing. The first edition extends and modifies the System Reference Document (SRD) based on the revised 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) published by Wizards of the Coast under the Open Game License (OGL) and is intended to be backward-compatible with that edition.

<i>D&D</i> Insider

D&D Insider (DDI) was Wizards of the Coast's subscription method of digitally delivering periodic content, information, and online tools for the 4th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons to the game's players from 2008 to 2014. The service officially shut down in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tabletop role-playing game</span> Form of role-playing game using speech

A tabletop role-playing game, also known as a pen-and-paper role-playing game, is a kind of role-playing game (RPG) in which the participants describe their characters' actions through speech and sometimes movements. Participants determine the actions of their characters based on their characterization, and the actions succeed or fail according to a set formal system of rules and guidelines, usually involving randomization. Within the rules, players have the freedom to improvise, and their choices shape the direction and outcome of the game.

Dungeons & Dragons retro-clones are fantasy role-playing games that emulate earlier editions of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) no longer supported by Wizards of the Coast. They are made possible by the release of later editions' rules in a System Reference Document under the terms of the Open Game License, which allow the use of much of the proprietary terminology of D&D that might otherwise collectively constitute copyright infringement. However, per the license, these games lack the brand names Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, and all the other trademarks associated with those brands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen R. Marsh</span> American tabletop role-playing game designer

Stephen R. "Steve" Marsh is an American game designer and lawyer best known for his contributions to early editions of TSR's Dungeons & Dragons fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG). Some of the creatures he created for the original edition of D&D in 1975 have been included in every subsequent edition of the game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basic Fantasy RPG</span> Role-playing game

Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game, is an open source retro-clone role-playing game written by Chris Gonnerman that emulates, and is largely compatible with, the 1981 Basic and Expert sets of Dungeons & Dragons. Its main differences from B/X D&D include d20-style ascending armor class and separation of character race and class. It was first published in print in 2007 and updated in 2008, 2014, and 2023. The game is one of the first products of the Old School Revival and has been positively received.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Crawford</span> American game designer

Jeremy Crawford is a game designer who has worked primarily on role-playing games. He was the Lead Rules Designer for the 4th Edition of Wizards of the Coast's tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, and one of the Lead Designers of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition.

Wolves of Freeport, Inc, formerly named OneBookShelf, Inc, is a digital marketplace company for both major and indie games, fiction and comics. In 2023, OneBookShelf merged with Roll20 to become Wolves of Freeport. OneBookShelf itself was formed by the merger of RPGNow and DriveThruRPG in 2006. The company's e-commerce platforms host content from individual sellers, indie creators and major publishing companies such as Chaosium, Fantasy Flight Games, White Wolf, and Wizards of the Coast.

Matthew J. Finch is an American writer, game designer, and artist, best known for his contributions to the Old School Renaissance movement. His work has been instrumental in reviving and popularizing a style of role-playing that emulates the early editions of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D).

References

  1. ↑ "Old School Revival | The GeekPreacher". 30 June 2012.
  2. ↑ Maliszewski, James (21 August 2009). "Full Circle: A History of the Old School Revival". The Escapist. Escapist Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. This has led some critics to charge that the old school revival is essentially "fundamentalist", while many old school players counter that it is in fact radical in its original meaning, which is to say, returning to the roots of the hobby. Many of these same bloggers are participating in campaigns using older rules or retro-clones and use their blogs to demonstrate the principles of the style of gaming they prefer: rules light, freeform, and placing a greater emphasis on player skill rather than on character skill. Taken together, along with a do-it-yourself spirit, the outlines of what the old school revival is all about become more apparent.
  3. ↑ Bebergal, Peter (6 May 2013). "Old School Dungeons & Dragons: Wizards of the Coast's Problem Child". Boing Boing. Retrieved 24 June 2021. Sometimes referred to as the Old School Renaissance (OSR), this loose gathering of gamers and designers [...]
  4. ↑ "OSR survey: meaning". Necropraxis. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. These averages tell a simple story, which is that respondents agree most that OSR refers to a play style and set of design principles. Respondents agree somewhat that OSR is a scene or movement and that OSR is a collection of aesthetics.
  5. ↑ Foster, T. "The long journey home..." Dragonsfoot. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. If the 'old-school revival' continues to pick up steam and the current game continues to flounder [...] sooner or later some bean-counter at Hasbro who doesn't have an emotional attachment to the current edition is going to realize that there's a demand (i.e. money to be made) for 'collector's editions' of the classic games (OD&D, AD&D, B/X D&D) and we'll see them back on the shelves in some form or another.
  6. ↑ "Is True20 mustling in on Castles & Crusades' turf?". Dragonsfoot. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. The popularity of none d20 systems is again growing with WFRP selling second only to WoTs D&D. CoC and GURPS have also seen a slight revival in their market share. Compare this to the decrease in sales of d20 material over the last year (although still high). Over production and over stock is leading many online stores to slash prices. An old school renaissance could be on the horizon.
  7. ↑ Conley, Robert (23 August 2009). "Where the hell The Old School Renaissance come from?". Bat in the Attic. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  8. ↑ Calithena (27 February 2008). "Revenant Runes Pre-Launch Thread". OD&D Discussion. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  9. ↑ Maliszewski, James (21 August 2009). "Full Circle: A History of the Old School Revival". The Escapist. Escapist Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. a fully-fledged old school revival (or, as some call it, an old school renaissance)
  10. ↑ "What about the R?". Necropraxis. 20 December 2018. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. Respondents clearly preferred Renaissance (70% of responses) as the meaning of the R in OSR. Revival took silver, with about 20% of responses. After that was a long tail of many different alternatives. Third place was "Rules" (but at less than 4%).
  11. ↑ "Six Cultures of Play". 27 February 2024.
  12. ↑ Maliszewski, James (21 August 2009). "Full Circle: A History of the Old School Revival". The Escapist. Escapist Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. Forums like Dragonsfoot, Knights & Knaves Alehouse, and Original D&D Discussion all play vital roles by enabling old school gamers to discuss, share, and argue about their ideas with one another, just like the 'zines and APAs of yore. In recent years, these forums have been bolstered by a vast network of blogs, each as idiosyncratic as its owner, and many of which have produced a significant amount of new — and free — material for use with both original and retro-clone games.
  13. ↑ Maliszewski, James (21 August 2009). "Full Circle: A History of the Old School Revival". The Escapist. Escapist Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. Dragonsfoot benefitted from these fans that had little interest in the latest version of the game, whose rules and aesthetics seemed very different from their own preferences.
  14. ↑ Maliszewski, James (21 August 2009). "Full Circle: A History of the Old School Revival". The Escapist. Escapist Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. C&C grew out of discussions on Dragonsfoot in 2003 [...] OSRIC, a First Edition AD&D clone created by Matt Finch and Stuart Marshall of the Knights & Knaves Alehouse in 2006
  15. ↑ Maliszewski, James (21 August 2009). "Full Circle: A History of the Old School Revival". The Escapist. Escapist Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. Through forums, blogs, and new fanzines like Fight On! and Knockspell, the movement is now attracting the attention of gamers of all stripes, including many born well after the hobby's early days.
  16. ↑ "Fight On! magazine - Issue 01 Information Page". Fight On! Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  17. ↑ Finch, Matt. Knockspell Magazine #1. Mythmere Games. p. 3.
  18. ↑ Robert Conley (8 October 2008). "A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming". Bat in the Attic Blog. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  19. ↑ "A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming". Wired . 22 July 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  20. ↑ Bebergal, Peter (6 May 2013). "Old School Dungeons & Dragons: Wizards of the Coast's Problem Child". Boing Boing. Retrieved 24 June 2021. [...] print-on-demand, an option that has become central to OSR culture.
  21. ↑ Bebergal, Peter (6 May 2013). "Old School Dungeons & Dragons: Wizards of the Coast's Problem Child". Boing Boing. Retrieved 24 June 2021. Wizards of the Coast finally got around to acknowledging that some people like to play the earlier versions of the game and, seeing a small but flourishing market, tried to capture the spirit of OSR with a number of publishing initiatives. [...] It is as if Wizards does not really see new value in the old D&D material, but merely recognizes the opportunity to make money from those who do.
  22. ↑ "A Historical Look at The OSR". Simulacrum: Exploring OSR Design. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  23. ↑ Bebergal, Peter (6 May 2013). "Old School Dungeons & Dragons: Wizards of the Coast's Problem Child". Boing Boing. Retrieved 24 June 2021. The earliest iterations of OSR games, like the Old School Reference and Index Compilation, are simply various editions of the early D&D rules with new art and accompanying text offered as PDFs (often free) or print-on-demand at cost.
  24. ↑ Horvath, Stu (2023). Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. pp. 359–361. ISBN   9780262048224.
  25. ↑ Maliszewski, James (21 August 2009). "Full Circle: A History of the Old School Revival". The Escapist. Escapist Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021. Daniel Proctor's Labyrith Lord, which emulates the 1981 edition of Dungeons & Dragons, was the second retro-clone
  26. ↑ Gailloreto, Coleman (4 October 2020). "Excellent Tabletop RPGs From The Old School Revival Genre". Screen Rant. Retrieved 24 June 2021. More than strict rule emulation, though, OSR RPGs like those mentioned below seek to capture the feel of roleplaying game sessions from the time [...]
  27. ↑ Gailloreto, Coleman (4 October 2020). "Excellent Tabletop RPGs From The Old School Revival Genre". Screen Rant. Retrieved 24 June 2021. OSR RPGs [...] seek to capture the feel of roleplaying game sessions from the time via the following principles: high lethality, randomized and horribly unbalanced encounters, followers who flock to the side of high-level adventurers, and a free-form, unplanned plot that rewards careful exploration and creative solutions to dangerous scenarios.
  28. ↑ Horvath, Stu (2023). Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. p. 298. ISBN   9780262048224.
  29. ↑ Finch, Matthew (2008). A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming. Swords & Wizardry. p. 2. Most of the time in old-style gaming, you don't use a rule; you make a ruling.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.