Customer Reviews

Master of the Game

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Confessions first: I'm an unabashed Gary Gygax fan. Yes, he borders on egotistical... But, without him, it's doubtful gaming would exist as we know it. And I love the way he writes. What other RPG author uses words like "dweomer" or "obstreperous" in their works?

In this particular book, Gygax addresses the all-important role of the referee in all of its facets. Running a lively and interesting game, dealing with troublesome players, modifying rules systems, starting a tournament... The chapter on starting an RPG publication could easily apply to today's websites.

In all, I'd heartily recommend this book, not only for the lessons, but also for a sense of history in Role Playing Games.

Gary Gygax, Master of the Game (Perigee, 1989)

I picked this up blind hoping I'd found an autobiography by the co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons, but alas, it was not to be. What it is, however, certainly has merit: a guide to making yourself into a better Game Master from a guy who's been doing it for pretty much his whole adult life. It's basically an inspirational-business title for gamers. (Think The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Half-Orcs combined with Start and Run Your Own Money-Making Tavern.) It gets a bit self-aggrandizing at times, which can be grating, but can you blame the guy? After all, he did write most of the early source material.

Way back in the late 60s I came across a copy of this book. This at the time was the only book of its kind available in commercial bookstore. Nearly forty years later there are many books which may be similar, but Master Game continues to shine as a glowing example of how one can approach spiritual life.

A pioneer of the "Master Game". Not to be used as a "how too" book but as an explanation and stimulation for those who want to play the "Master Game"!

Don't let the subtitle "Transcending the drug experience" alienate those who are too young to remember phychadelia. The Master Game is not about using drugs; it's about going beyond them to personal enlightenment. It details the games people play, much like Toffler, then it defines the Master Game: one in which the person is not so involved with their life that their view is blinded by personal situations, much like Dyer's observer. If you got beyond the drugs in Castaneda, you can discover the genius of The Master Game. It is truly a book to base your attitude on.

This is one of the most essential books I have acquired in my life-long search for higher meaning. It is a handbook to read over and over. It would be a mistake to think that it is outdated because it was written in the 1960's. It is even more urgent and compelling. For example, "In man the will to power has operated at various times as a destructive force, activating certain individuals to become 'conquerors' and to destroy vast numbers of their fellowmen in the process. It is certainly a dangerous will and badly needs restraining and directing, especially in the contemporary period of 'megadeath' and 'overkill.'" His occasional acerbity is refreshing; he does not waste a word.

I bought this thinking that it was a semi-autobiographical book in which Gygax talked about the creation and development of D&D. Not the case: this is his advice on how to perfect your skills as a game master and get the players involved. There's almost no autobiographical information in it.

Having read both, I would say this has been completely blown out of the water by the 4e Dungeon Master's Guide, whose wealth of sage counsel on this topic makes Gygax look like a neophyte. True, James Wyatt has like 30+ years of experience and all of Gygax's wisdom to build on, but still.