Friday 14 June 2013

'80s Roleplaying Television Programme. MUST WATCH!

Have you ever wanted to watch Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, founders of Games Workshop, playing Dungeons and Dragons with a youthful (but impressively deep voiced) Jervis, creator of Bloodbowl, Johnson and the dishevelled writer of Blackadder, Ben Elton?

Well now you can!

Or perhaps a stroll through the original Games Workshop store to gaze in wonder at row upon row of classic 80s boxed RPGs, early Citadel miniatures, original art works and interviews with members of the Games Workshop team - and one or two of their customers?

Well now you can!

Or indeed, do you have a fascination with Live Action Roleplay, or remember fondly the thrill of entering dungeons weilding a sword you constructed in your kitchen out of several toilet tissue tubes, silver foil and cellotape? Did you Treasure Trap even?

Well, Realm of Chaos 80s has a video for you!

What I am about to share with you, in three parts, is an edition of the news programme, South of Watford made in 1984. It attempts to deal with the, by then, booming fantasy game market and the growth of Live Action Roleplaying. Strangely, its presented by Ben Elton as is well worth a viewing, especially the first video which seems to have filmed in the original Games Workshop store in London.

Do yoyself a favour. Make yourself a drink, find a quiet corner where you will not be disturbed for the next 30 minutes or so ans enjoy the programme. Can you spot a copy of First Edition Warhammer in there?

Enjoy,

Orlygg.




13 comments:

  1. Oh, sir. Oh, oh, oh, have you found a gem. Humble thanks.

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  2. There are so many things to point in all this, thanks a lot Orlygg.

    - Ben Elton did a game with Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson with the company of JJ, did he even know this moment would be the fantasy of many men? (the GM seems to be having great time, seeing the time he takes to draw maps, he must have prepared some serious things ahead, he's nearly shaking with impatience)
    - Store managers didn't give a thing about their customers even back in the days it seems...
    - I laughed my arse off when the elf lad has understood he has to ask the daemons if they are lying but he can't remember how to ask the proper question and how to be sure of who is lying... EPIC

    30mn really worth the watch to me...
    - I've NEVER seen that many girls in fantasy gaming, what made them flee,where did they go ?

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    1. In my defense, Ben Elton interviewed me for almost thirty minutes but only used the tiny bit where I came across as insulting to hardcore customers. Like any store, there are customers who are cool and customers who are a bit OTT and I guess my comment about Frothers was the most interesting television.

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  3. PT2: 1:00 "WE CALL THEM FROTHERS!!!" ROTFLMAO

    Nice to see Albie DMing too.

    Thanks for the heads-up on these. Pure gold.

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  4. Well, where is the link? I can't see him?!?

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  5. great stuff, I am sure James Whale or someone like did a very similar article of their show back in the day.
    J

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  6. Amazing stuff James, thanks for sharing.

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  7. Amazing. Cuts and broken teeth!

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    1. It really does make you wonder where the passion went in fantasy gaming, doesn't it? These people were willing to travel huge distances, spend hours and hours preparing their characters (costumes and all) not to mention a willingness to contribute to a bigger picture and shared experience beyond 'winning with my uber-army list'.

      What happened?

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  8. This is a remarkable document, I can't believe it's Ben Elton in it as well.

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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