The Battle Between Creators – Arneson v Gygax

The Legal Fallout Behind Dungeons & Dragons | Arneson v Gygax
Discover the courtroom clash that nearly destroyed D&D! This episode of Dice, Dungeons, & Dreamers dives deep into the bitter legal battle between co-creators Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax. Forgotten royalties, creative credit, and a friendship torn apart—this is the story you didn’t read in the Player’s Handbook.

WATCH NOW to find out how a partnership built on imagination ended in legal warfare—and shaped the legacy of the world’s most iconic role-playing game.

CHAPTERS
0:00 – Intro: D&D’s Founding & Fallout
2:35 – Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Changes Everything
5:58 – Legal Fireball: Arneson Sues Gygax & TSR
9:20 – The Settlement and The Aftermath
13:23 – Settlement Terms & Behind-the-Scenes Drama
14:39 – On the Next Episode…

📚 Want to dive deeper?
🔗 Download the full court documents (~900 pages): https://catalog.archives.gov/id/200185170

🧙‍♂️ Missed Episode 1? Catch up on the origins of Dungeons & Dragons: https://youtu.be/9tCwj6X96_0?si=8D538Zs4bdabTmvs

👋 About This Series
Dice, Dungeons, & Dreamers explores the wild, weird, and often dramatic history of D&D. From its underground beginnings to pop culture domination—we’re unpacking every twist in the tale.

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🔍 Keywords:
Dungeons & Dragons history, Arneson vs Gygax, D&D legal battle, TSR lawsuit, AD&D royalties, Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, D&D creators conflict, origin of D&D, Game Wizards, D&D drama, Dice Dungeons Dreamers