[CZ] Jeff Talanian terminates association with Gygax Games

Ghul · Post by **Ghul** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:40 am

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 of 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

francisca · Post by **francisca** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:03 am

Jeff-

Sorry to hear things are over with you and GGG. You've come across as a stand-up guy and I wish you the absolute best in your future endeavors.

Ghul · Post by **Ghul** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:32 am

francisca wrote:Jeff-

Sorry to hear things are over with you and GGG. You've come across as a stand-up guy and I wish you the absolute best in your future endeavors.

Thanks, francisca. Your kind words are well received. I'll still be around the alehouse, mate. I'm not going anywhere soon.

Best,
Jeff T.

Mythmere · Post by **Mythmere** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:34 am

This sounds like a very tactful and gracious description of a complete screw-job perpetrated on you, Jeff. Forgive me, but I've made enough of these announcements as a mergers & acquisitions attorney, and I know them when I see them.

Whatever happened here behind the scenes, and we'll probably never know, I raise a beer to the work you did, and raise a questioning eyebrow at GGG.

EDIT: feel free not to confirm or deny ... no need to make a liar out of yourself if you did get screwed ... certainly not for the benefit of the screwor.

James Maliszewski · Post by **James Maliszewski** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:36 am

Curiouser and curiouser.

I've been hearing this name, "Gygax Games," bandied about in certain places, but I haven't a clue who they are or precisely what they're about. I can only presume that it's a new business venture founded by Gary's widow and/or family to take control of his creative legacy, but that's just a guess.

Can you shed any light on this, Jeff?

EDIT: Is "Gygax Games" the same thing as "Trigee Enterprises Company?" If so, that would explain why I never heard of it, since, until very recently, I'd never seen the company called anything but Trigee.

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:04 am

James Maliszewski wrote: EDIT: Is "Gygax Games" the same thing as "Trigee Enterprises Company?" If so, that would explain why I never heard of it, since, until very recently, I'd never seen the company called anything but Trigee.

Yes, Trigee Enterprises was renamed Gygax Games a few months back. Here is a link to the announcement: Press Release.

James Maliszewski · Post by **James Maliszewski** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:10 am

Matthew wrote:Yes, Trigee Enterprises was renamed Gygax Games a few months back. Here is a link to the announcement: Press Release.

Thanks for that. I guess I missed the announcement during the summer.

Do we know who runs Gygax Games? Is it Gary's family?

Ghul · Post by **Ghul** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:10 am

Mythmere wrote:This sounds like a very tactful and gracious description of a complete screw-job perpetrated on you, Jeff. Forgive me, but I've made enough of these announcements as a mergers & acquisitions attorney, and I know them when I see them.

Whatever happened here behind the scenes, and we'll probably never know, I raise a beer to the work you did, and raise a questioning eyebrow at GGG.

EDIT: feel free not to confirm or deny ... no need to make a liar out of yourself if you did get screwed ... certainly not for the benefit of the screwor.

Thank you for the kind words, Matt. Indeed, there is more behind the scenes, but at the present time I'd like to take the fifth, if it is no offense to you, sir.

All the best,
Jeff T.

Ghul · Post by **Ghul** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:14 am

James Maliszewski wrote:
Matthew wrote:Yes, Trigee Enterprises was renamed Gygax Games a few months back. Here is a link to the announcement: Press Release.
Thanks for that. I guess I missed the announcement during the summer.

Do we know who runs Gygax Games? Is it Gary's family?

Hello James,

It is Gail Gygax and her manager, Spencer Wright. They call the shots. Hope that helps.

Best,
Jeff T.

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:16 am

James Maliszewski wrote: Do we know who runs Gygax Games? Is it Gary's family?

As far as I understand it, Gail Gygax is sole owner of Gygax Games (maybe some other folks own shares, I don't know). The only other person I know to be definitely involved in the company is Spencer Wright, whose role is "Director of Operations & Product Development." I presume there are other roles being, or to be, fulfilled.

James Maliszewski · Post by **James Maliszewski** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:20 am

Ghul wrote:Hope that helps.

Well, it helps in the sense that I now have names, although I still don't know who Spencer Wright is. I don't believe I've ever encountered the name before. Guess it's time to do some digging ...

jgbrowning · Post by **jgbrowning** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:22 am

Sorry to hear it Jeff.

joe b.

Ghul · Post by **Ghul** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:26 am

jgbrowning wrote:Sorry to hear it Jeff.

joe b.

Thanks Joe. Sorry I could not tell you at Gen Con, mate.

Cheers,
Jeff T.

Nikosandros · Post by **Nikosandros** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:48 pm

I'll cross post my short reply from the Troll's forum...

It would be nice if Gygax Games made an official statement in which they explain their motivations and what is their vision and their program for further development.

jgbrowning · Post by **jgbrowning** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:57 pm

Ghul wrote:
jgbrowning wrote:Sorry to hear it Jeff.

joe b.
Thanks Joe. Sorry I could not tell you at Gen Con, mate.

Cheers,
Jeff T.

I understand. We're not always able to say what we know as well.

joe b.