Gizmodo: dungeons and dragons

Dungeons & Dragons on the Microsoft Surface

Mark Wilson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:25:21 EDT

For thousands of years, none of us quite understood the point of the Surface. Then, a few Carnegie Mellon students armed with but blades and wits developed this D&D game, and they lightning bolted the naysayers away. [Microsoft via Kotaku]

Spherical Satellites Aboard the ISS are Gary Gygax Approved

Sean Fallon — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:40:00 EST

It's too bad Gary Gygax is no longer with us, because it would be interesting to get his opinion on SPHERES (for Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). These prototype devices are currently floating around aboard the ISS as part of an experiment developed by MIT students. The goal is to test flight formations that could one day lead to autonomous maintenance satellites capable of building large spacecraft while in orbit.

Smaller, multiple satellite missions are economical and provide redundancy. Instead of launching one big, heavy satellite, launching lots of little is easier. They can orbit Earth in tandem, each doing their own small part of the overall mission. If a solar flare zaps one satellite—no problem. The rest can close ranks and carry on. Launch costs are reduced, too, because tiny satellites can hitch a ride inside larger payloads, getting to space almost free of charge.

The idea sounds great, but I can't help but want to see numbers painted all over these things. [Universe Today via io9]

The Ancient Romans Were Gamers: 2nd Century Glass d20 Sold for $17,925

Jack Loftus — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT

We can only guess what the ancient Romans might have thought about the latest revision of the Dungeons and Dragons rulebook (super approachable; they'd love it!), but we do know they were gamers. That's because an incredibly old, incredibly valuable Roman glass d20 was sold at auction by the famous Christie's auction house. For $17,925. Historians know the symbols are Roman, but have yet to figure out which game it was used for. Any guesses, Gizmodo readers/ancient gaming history buffs? [Christie's]

MIT Students Create Giant 20-Sided Die In Honor of Gary Gygax

Sean Fallon — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:40:00 EDT

I haven't played Dungeons and Dragons since I was a little kid, but I remember the time I spent geeking out with my friends fondly. So, when D&D co-creator Gary Gygax passed away earlier this month, I couldn't help but feel a little bummed. Apparently, a group of students at MIT felt the same way—which is why they erected this huge 20-sided die on the campus in his honor. It doesn't appear to be anything more than some cloth draped around a framework—but it is a fitting tribute nonetheless. [The Tech via Laughing Squid via CNET Photo via Eric Schmiedl]