Arkham Horror (1987) - Where the Madness Began

[@justinrastin8802]

Hello! I apologize for the long post, I didn't have time to write a shorter one. I have been following the Dungeon Dive for years and I can say without a doubt that this is one of the best videos you've ever made. In some of your earlier videos you talked about the Dungeon Dive being a kind of digital museum or archive for your favourite aspects of the hobby and I think this video is the ultimate example of achieving that goal. I also think the idea of creating a curated list of Mythos fiction for board gamers is an incredible idea and would fill a gap that has been present in the hobby for far too long. I own a multitude of Mythos board games and while they all throw out tons of references, very few provide actual reading lists so that players can have some context for the Hounds of Tindalos or the Yellow Sign. If you were to make a "Board Gamer's Mythos Reading List" I could really see that becoming the Lovecraftian equivalent of "Appendix N" from original D&D. It was very cool to see the first edition laid out on the table and learn how it plays. As a bit of a collector, I’ve always been subtly tempted to spend way too much money to track down a copy. But after seeing it played I think I’ll stick with the 2nd and 3rd editors. A lot of great ideas were in that 1st edition, but it clearly benefited from a bit more polish. I understand that the response to this video has been somewhat muted compared to the amount of time and effort that I am sure you poured into it. I would also completely understand if you were to cut short your very ambitious road map and focus on easier to produce content that appeals to a larger audience. But for my part I would encourage you to press on. I think the deep dive you have outlined could become the premier analysis of Cthulhu Mythos board games on the internet and a kind of "required viewing" for those interested in the history of this little corner of the hobby. Great work as always, looking forward to what comes next!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thank you! Luckily, the remaining episodes won't require as much work to produce, and will be focused more on the table with brief breaks for fiction. Creating a kind of Appendix N for Cthulhu Mythos fiction is exactly what I want to do, because I think this is a major failing of all of these games, sans the CoCRPG. I've always been surprised by how the board games don't really acknowledge all of the sources - the stories and authors - on which they're based. And there is so much great stuff out there! I think you're right in sticking with the later editions of the game. That just makes the most sense, because they all offer up the same kinds of things, but just do it better.

[@stephenavery6174]

Richard Launius is one of the most genuine, generous, and hard working person in the the gaming industry. He makes games for the love of gaming and will bend over backwards to help anyone he can. I have huge admiration for him and love everything he makes. I loved hearing about the origins of Arkham Horror. I hope you get him back on your channel soon.

[@Genghis-Pawn]

1:45:59 - love those vintage minis! they don't make 'em like that anymore.

[@TheFatalT]

Have been looking forward to this series. Arkham Horror is such a fun IP.

[@brian2cat]

That Arkham Classic idea sounds 🔥

[@boatofcar3273]

“I start with the theme and the experience.” This, in a nutshell, is what makes these (and so many other DD games) amazing and what separates “Euro” style games from “American” style games. (Of course, folks from anywhere can design either.)

[@boatofcar3273]

If you ever do a followup, I’d love to hear Richard’s tips on how to play AH in only 2 hours!

[@TheDungeonDive]

I'd love to get him back on. I'm really interested in his LA-1 game coming out. Sounds super cool.

[@joejohnson2291]

@@TheDungeonDive I second this, would love to hear how he condenses AH into a two hour thrillride.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Probably by playing the game how you're supposed to - all players take turns simultaneously. Everyone moves at the same time. Everyone has encounters at the same time. Then mythos phase. Most people wait around for each player to finish their turn in the phase, and I don't think that's how the game is supposed to be played.

[@boatofcar3273]

@@TheDungeonDive Ah. Well I can see why people would not want to play like that. Half of the fun of these games is watching to see how your friends react to adversity and cheering them and their dice on!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yeah, I think most players like to stretch things out so they can experience all the stuff that happens, but that's exactly why these games last so long.

[@RSOULIER75]

Very interesting I am huge fan of arkham horror I have all the second édition and the third too. Really nice to know how it started

[@fullasagoog]

Great video! Never realised Richard was the designer for Freedom Five - really glad I picked up that Kickstarter now :)

[@cinderellaboy1981]

Excellent video. A pleasure to watch. I really enjoy the books of Titus Crow 🙂 And the Lurker at the Threshold is a personal favourite.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yes! I just re-read the first 3 Titus Crow books, and I'm starting on the next 3 for the first time this week! I also really like Lurker. Sounds like we both like the Derleth / Lumley style! :)

[@adrealz276]

Omg, this is gold ! Thank you Daniel

[@TheDungeonDive]

My pleasure! Please help spread the word! The video is absolutely tanking! I need this series to hit. :)

[@JonG1970]

Fantastic video. Really enjoyed the interview and the look back at the first Arkham game. Also enjoyed the look back at the writers and stories that have shaped the Mythos. Can’t wait for the rest of series!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@arheru]

Omg this is going to be a treat, I'm sure!

[@hernandotorres1234]

What a fabulous interview. Richard is a player as well as a designer and enthusiast and that makes him invaluable. No wonder everybody loves Arkham so much (three generations of us here).

[@TheDungeonDive]

He's such a great guy. :)

[@hernandotorres1234]

@@TheDungeonDive He is, you did a great job with him too. It was just like two old mates catching up.

[@DieNische]

Before watching: Arkham Horror 2nd Edition is still such a fantastic game even after all these years. Richard: Thank you for giving us this masterpiece with Kevin Wilson. So many games have come and gone but this game still holds up so well. So from the bottom of my heart: Thank you so much for this, Richard Launius and Kevin Wilson. By the way: How is Alien Uprising 2nd Edition going? ;) So now: I am watching this video. ;)

[@nakanoFIN]

2nd the 2nd edition of Alien Uprising. Been waiting if it ever happens.

[@TheDungeonDive]

It really is an amazing game.

[@DieNische]

@@TheDungeonDive Thanks for the Interview. Very entertaining. LA-1 is on my watchlist now. ;)

[@PaulScott-fw1cq]

An excellent start to an epic investigation!

[@timothystevano2994]

AH 3rd is my favorite coop, can't wait to see you do the retrospective of it with Nikki Valens!

[@Twineandribbon]

Very much looking forward to this series!!! Thanks so much! 🎉

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks! I hope more people are. The video is absolutely tanking! Yikes! Almost no interest at all.

[@Twineandribbon]

@@TheDungeonDiveI hope that changes! What an incredible start! I love all your retrospectives, but Arkham is probably my personal favorite board game series so this is a treat. I think this yearly series really captures the “museum” style essence of your channel and this interview in particular provides exceptional and timeless content.

[@elikurtz729]

Thank you so much Daniel for the look into the Mythos and the interview and thanks for Richard Launius for bringing me into the hobby :D Arkham Horror 2nd Ed is still one of my favorites of all time and for almost 5 years it dominated our Friday gaming after it came out. ^^ Such great memories :D

[@TheDungeonDive]

Right on! It’s such a fantastic game.

[@pauls3585]

This is a great interview with Richard and an informative episode, Daniel. I'm looking forward to what the next episode will cover.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I hope there is a next episode! This video has absolutely tanked, especially with the amount of time and effort I put into it. I'm conducting a poll right now to see if Dungeon Dive patrons want me to continue with it.

[@pauls3585]

What? That episode was gold. I loved it.

[@TheDungeonDive]

The people who watched it seem to enjoy it. :)

[@browe]

Any TfF reference gets a heartfelt 💯 from me. One of the best bands ever, still making great music today!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Totally. Their last album was surprisingly good.

[@jarldjevel6111]

Maybe not the series of games I'm the most interested in but possibly the best Dungeon Dive video ever. The mythos background, the interview both give so much substance to the part on the game. Simply amazing!!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Wow, thanks! I really appreciate that. :)

[@jarldjevel6111]

@@TheDungeonDive I assume it was a lot of work to publish that one.

[@TheDungeonDive]

It was. Especially since I redid everything except for the interview twice because I wasn't happy with it. :)

[@kevinfitzgerald9319]

Couldn't be more excited for this series!

[@crazyvolucris]

I really love this series already 😍 so much cool informations. And this great interview👍🏻. My highlight as a miniatures painter were the fantastic sculpts. That would be my first mission: get them painted 😆😂

[@TheDungeonDive]

Haha! Such detail!

[@Twineandribbon]

The miniatures spotlight was hilarious.

[@TheDungeonDive]

They’re so detailed!

[@steverichards7295]

Any excellent episode, many thanks!

[@bernardgodfrey3499]

Great stuff Daniel. I bought the original AH from my FLGS in the mid-eighties, played it a lot with a fellow disciple, up until I left the UK in 89. It was stored at my Mum's house and eventually lost in time, when I went back to the UK to visit, it was always there waiting to be taken, but as time passed, the car got smaller and smaller as the kids got bigger and bigger. Mum passed on during the covid outbreak in 2020 and I couldn't get back to the UK due to lockdown, my sisters sold the house etc etc, sure you know how the story goes. I have very fond memories of playing AH Chaosium on the dining room table and am looking forward to your appreciation of it.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Great memories. Thanks for sharing. :).

[@turnandpull75]

I love that the minis come pre-painted as well! 😂

[@TheDungeonDive]

Exactly! :D

[@boatofcar3273]

@@turnandpull75 Best part of the video 🙂

[@TheDungeonDive]

I'm glad the joke landed. :)

[@zevenspiraal]

Bravo! That was an amazing video and I can't wait to watch the rest of them. I really appreciate your combination of history, literature and board games. It's what makes you one of the best KZbin channels out there. Thank you Daniel.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thank you! Glad you appreciate the perspective. I really don’t think there’s anything else out there like this. Want this to be unique.

[@andrewlavery3974]

Been looking forward to this one ever since it was teased! Gonna be great!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks! I hope more people think so. The video is absolutely tanking! Ugh. So much time and effort went into this. But at least we’re happy with it. :)

[@jonathandavis4819]

Amazing stories in this interview. I love the AH1 prototype shipping story. Wow. What a leap of faith.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yeah. That was crazy.

[@the_Mike_d]

Another great interview - I had no idea what his motivation was for creating Arkham Horror - he's like a patron saint for solo board gaming! Looking forward to this new series - I think it's great you're putting this all together.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kkantele]

Thank you for doing this! One of the top episodes!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jdebarr]

Another great video. I Love this game and it was one of the first games I bought after getting into board games. Never tried the 1st edition but a friend of mine does have the 3rd edition and we have played it a couple of times. 2nd edition is still my favorite though and I have everything for it. I learn most of my strategy from Catweasle's channel. Thanks for the work you did on this.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@MegaChiliMac]

Excellent interview. I love hearing people talk about their creative process and the stories of how something goes from idea to reality. Looking forward to the next installment of this series. Thanks, Daniel!

[@itsallfunandgames723]

I'd note that a lot of these "Lovecraftian" games are a lot more Lovecraftian than some people give them credit for. Lovecraft, like most complex things over time, has been reduced and Flanderized in the minds of many people, in a way that isn't supported in his actual work. There is no one definitive form of Lovecraftian story, no one pre-determined outcome. Sometimes the protagonist goes insane or dies, sure, but sometimes they don't. In Lovecraft's world you might defeat an evil sorcerer, or foil the intentions of some demonic force. You may become a powerful wizard yourself, you may learn the secrets of the cosmos and talk to gods. These are all versions of the authentic Lovecraft tale. I learned a lot by listening to the HPPodcraft podcast, where they covered all his works, and read a decent number of them as I followed along. It really was a great way to go through his many stories.

[@TheDungeonDive]

There’s also about a hundred different ways to tell a mythos story, and HPL didn’t really invent the mythos nor did he own it! I cover a lot of that in the mythos primer section in the longer video. :)

[@blueroselion5243]

I found Brian Lumley via Nicroscope but he weirded me out way over the edge with the Psychomech books. 😵‍💫😅

[@ソルグル]

01:59:48 There’s more where that 2nd Gazette came from, though! In fact, it’s only a small part of the so-called Return to Arkham supplement, including a whole lot of new rules and ideas, some of which was later used in FFG’s 2nd edition. Then there is a semi-official expansion called Tokyo Horror, a Japan-exclusive release with its own board, new creatures, and some rules variants. And finally, there is a bunch of fan-made stuff, too. The most noteworthy ones might be those made by Drexxell (and rejected by Chaosium) back in ‘91: A 3rd Gazette (called The Alternative Gazette) for even more variations, the Strange Outer Worlds expansion, and last but not least, the Escape to Dunwich project with a standalone map of Dunwich, its own Dunwich Gazette, plus some new creatures and ideas.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Great info, thanks!

[@TheFundead]

Hey Daniel!!!!... Amazing work as always!!!!!.... I have like EVERY mythos game FFG made, EVERY expansion, prepainted minis, sets you name it, I TRY and have them anyways!!!!...lol

[@TheDungeonDive]

Nice!

[@davidwillems9904]

Awesome.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks!

[@martinouellet3540]

Arkham Horror 2nd edition is also the game that brought me back to the hobby.

[@TheDungeonDive]

It’s such an important game for so many reasons.

[@bernardgodfrey3499]

Thanks!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thank you!

[@BradLacke]

Just picked up AH2e and Dunwich Horror and the timing on this couldn't be better! I am cheesing out on this game! I also have most of the other ones but I can already tell 2nd edition is going to scratch my gonzo messy epic game itch the most. I fear what the prices are going to do on the secondary market if too many people catch wind of this retrospective! 😅

[@TheDungeonDive]

Oh nice! Is this your first time playing AH2e?

[@BradLacke]

@@TheDungeonDive yes! I'm on the third round, four investigators, three gates and monsters and doom tokens already which I understand is pretty standard, stupidly threw in all the Dunwich stuff so I"m overwhelmed, have no idea what I'm doing and loving every second of it!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Ha! Yeah. It’s a wild time for sure. I almost never play to win. I just play to see what kind of cool stuff can happen.

[@Locustnism]

Do you think Arkham horror board game still holds up in this day? Seems like the hype these days is about the LCG

[@TheDungeonDive]

That's what this whole retrospective is about! You'll have to actually watch the videos to get my perspective. That's why I make videos. :)

[@bri.g.5105]

Great interview. Which arkham horror edition would you recommend for a new player

[@TheDungeonDive]

Eldritch Horror because it's still in print.

[@bri.g.5105]

@@TheDungeonDive thanks