TSR(Tactical Studies/Rules)
In the past, TSR has released/lisenced dice, audio CD games, action figures, miniatures, a cartoon show (previously available through Best Film & Video), several board games, two card games (as noted above), four magazines (Amazing Adventures, Dragon, Dungeon, and Polyhedron Newzine), dozens of role-playing games / wargames (Chainmail, D&D, AD&D, Alternity, Dangerous Journeys, Dragonlance: Fifth Age, Gamaworld, Marvel Super Heroes, Star Frontiers, Top Secret/SI, and many more), video games with Nintendo, Sega, and 3DO, and dozens of computer games (Through several computer gaming companies including Interplay (Decent to the Undermountain), Sierra (Birthright), and SSI (makers of all AD&D computer games not already mentioned)). The best of the SSI games are Strahd's Possession, Stone Prophet, and Menzoberranzan, all in a first-person point of view simmilar to Doom and its genre of games.
TSR runs Gen-Con, the big game show that is found in Missouri annually, and the RPGA Network (Roll Playing Game Association Network).
TSR's Gary Gygax, now working with another company, first created a wargame/role playing game called "Chainmail" in the 1970's, and soon, Chainmail evolved into Dungeons and Dragons. Advanced Dungeons and Dragons followed after a few years. The Second Edition of the game was brought about in 1989 by the initiative of a David "Zeb" Cook. In 1996, the Second Edition was revised. There are now very detailed and organized books on the basics of the game to the very minute of details, also available on CD-ROM (Core Rules).
The following is from the TSR FAQ section:
TSR is the creator of the famed Dungeons & Dragons and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons games. These are the world's first and most popular adventure games. With sales in excess of 10 million copies worldwide, TSR is the leader in this growing US$200 million market. The company's products are translated in more than a dozen languages and sold in 50 countries.
TSR produces the world's only interactive audio CD games. Both Terror T.R.A.X. and the new Advanced Dungeons & Dragons games make use of this exciting interactive format.
TSR also produces two popular strategy card games, Spellfire and Blood Wars, and this summer will release Dragon Dice, the world's first collectible dice game!
TSR holds many exciting computer, video, arcade, and online game licenses. TSR has released dozens of computer and video games -- and sold over 3 million copies! Titles are available for Nintendo, Sega, NEC, IBM, 3DO, and Amiga systems.
In addition to adventure games, TSR is the nation's top publisher of fantasy and science-fiction hardcover and paperback books!
In 1984 the first Dragonlance book was released, since then TSR has published over 125 titles! TSR has sold millions of copies of its famous Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance and Endless Quest books. Today, the company sells over 3 million novels annually, and has produced many New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers.
TSR also publishes Dungeon and Dragon magazines, recognized as the leading magazines serving the role playing gamer.
TSR's headquarters are in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with a European sales office in Cambridge, England.
Between March and June, TSR was bought by another fantasy products company. At first it was a rumor, then it was official. On June 3, 1997, Wizards of the Coast, makers of Magic: The Gathering, officially completed purchasing TSR. The details are posted on this press release. They promise to be responsible and not to bring about drastic changes to the TSR products. The TSR headquarters will most likely be moved to around Renton, Washington (from Lake Geneva, WI). The TSR-owned Gen-Con game fair will also be moved to Washington after this summer.
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