Behind every great hero is a party of adventurers, and behind every great game is a team of visionaries.”
When we talk about the origins of Dungeons & Dragons, the names Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson tend to dominate the conversation. But lurking in the background, like a rogue hiding in the shadows, was Brian Blume, a man whose influence on D&D and its parent company, Tactical Studies Rules (TSR), was both crucial and, in some ways, controversial.
So who was Brian Blume, and why does his name elicit both admiration and resentment in D&D history? Let’s roll initiative and delve into the tale of one of TSR’s most enigmatic figures.
Table of Contents
The Early Days: The Business Side of D&D
Brian Blume entered the story in 1974, just as Dungeons & Dragons was about to be unleashed upon the world. A passionate wargamer, he was introduced to the game by Gary Gygax. Recognizing its potential, he didn’t just join the adventure he helped fund it.
Blume’s father, Melvin, invested $2,000 into TSR, a move that made Brian and his family major stakeholders in the company. While Gygax and Arneson were the creative forces, Blume provided the business acumen necessary to turn D&D from a hobbyist’s dream into a profitable venture.
The Rise of TSR: Blume’s Influence
As TSR grew, Brian Blume played a pivotal role in expanding the business. Some of his key contributions included:
- Helping structure TSR’s corporate framework, ensuring that it could grow beyond a basement-run operation.
- Overseeing production and distribution, making D&D available to a wider audience.
- Encouraging the development of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D), which helped solidify the game’s popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
While Gygax was the face of D&D, Blume was the numbers guy, ensuring that TSR had the infrastructure to handle the rapidly increasing demand. However, it wasn’t all critical hits for Blume—there were plenty of natural ones along the way.
The Rift: Blume vs. Gygax
As D&D grew into a multi million dollar empire, tensions within TSR began to mount. Blume and Gygax had different visions for the company and their relationship started to fracture.
One of the most controversial moments in TSR’s history came in 1985, when Blume and his business partner, Kevin Blume (his brother), orchestrated a move that effectively forced Gary Gygax out of TSR. Using their majority stake in the company, the Blumes took control, sidelining the game’s original creator.
Gygax, understandably furious, tried to fight back but ultimately lost his place in the company he had founded. While Brian Blume had played a key role in TSR’s success, he also played a role in the departure of the man who made D&D possible.
The Fall of TSR and Blume’s Departure
Brian Blume’s reign at TSR was short lived. Under his and his brother’s leadership, TSR struggled financially, leading to the company’s eventual decline. In 1985, the Blumes sold their shares and left the company, marking the end of an era.
After leaving TSR, Brian Blume largely disappeared from the public eye. Unlike Gygax, who remained involved in game design and became a legend in the RPG community, Blume faded into obscurity.
Brian Blume’s Legacy: Hero or Villain?
So how should we remember Brian Blume?
- On one hand, he helped turn D&D into a successful business, ensuring its survival beyond its early years.
- On the other hand, his role in ousting Gygax and contributing to TSR’s financial troubles left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans.
Regardless of where one stands, it’s undeniable that Blume was an essential part of D&D’s history. Without him, the game might never have grown beyond a niche hobby. But without his business moves, Gygax might have remained at the helm, and TSR’s fate could have been very different.
Final Thoughts: A Cautionary Tale
Brian Blume’s story serves as a reminder that every adventuring party needs balance. Just as a Dungeon Master keeps players in check, a company needs both creativity and business sense to thrive.
Though he’s not celebrated like Gygax or Arneson, Blume’s influence on Dungeons & Dragons was profound. Whether as a strategic genius or a corporate antagonist, his actions shaped the game we know and love today.
So the next time you roll the dice, spare a thought for Brian Blume the man who helped build the kingdom, but may have lost his way in the dungeon.
