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"Seeking people who made "precision" dice 70s-80s" Topic
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Malchor | 04 Sep 2023 7:32 a.m. PST |
I'm looking for people involved in the designing, making or running the business side of 1970s to 1980s straight edges or precession dice. Here are the brands from that time that I know of (thanks to Kevin's site): * The Armory, 1st and 2nd generation (with straight edges) * B&J Enterprises * Diamond Dice * GameScience (Precession Dice) * Heritage * Jerry Alexander * Martian Metals (Dragon Slayers) * Mini 20Ds * Techny * Windmill Hobbies Anyone missing? Not sure all were manufacturers (some may have rebranded from another company on the list—something I am hoping to unravel. I'm a wargame researcher who would like to capture this information before it is gone. Other questions: * Did they design their own dice or dupe the mold of another maker (it is decades ago, so no harm letting the cat out of the bag now). * Did they learn their craft from another maker? * Thermal plastic or poured resin? * More specifically, what kind of plastic(s) were used? (looking for more specific than "high impact") * Injection, gravity or spincast? * What happened to their mold, at least the last time they saw it, but also do they know where the molds or masters are today? * Any other stories about how they or the company got started, trials and errors, convention stories, business challenges, player and customer stories, anything at all. Message me and we can exchange emails, do a phone call, Zoom, Discord, whatever you like. Know someone who fits this description, reach out to me and I'll give my contact info to pass on to them. Thanks all in advance. |
Pendekar | 04 Sep 2023 7:52 a.m. PST |
Hello Malchor, I do not know anyone, but I did learn a bit out Gamescience dice from a discussion with Battletech and Deadlands artist Loston Wallace on twitter that lead to me searching on Google and found this interesting video of Louis Zocchi, founder of GameScience, at Gencon in 2015. link You can find him as well on LinkedIn and Facebook. linkedin.com/in/louiszocchi facebook.com/louiszocchi
Anyways, not much and I do not have any useful contacts, but I just thought I would share the video if you have not seen it or similar.
Are you going to publish your research results somewhere? It would be interesting to read. Pendekar |
Fitzovich ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 04 Sep 2023 1:24 p.m. PST |
I was in the Retail side of the business in the 80s & 90s and can think of two companies you missed. Koplow & Chessex. I don't know the particulars of dice design or production but both of those firms still exist and it might be worthwhile to contact them. |
Malchor | 04 Sep 2023 2:23 p.m. PST |
@Pendekar, I am planning to reach out to Louis for sure. Most of the available source material on the subject is from various interviews with Louis over the decade. I do have a blog, though not as active as I'd like. I mostly help other researchers out, though am hoping to change that. @Fitzovich, Koplow & Chessex are dice makers, but they are known for round corner style dice. The only time Chessex sold straight edge dice were repackaged Game Science. If I am mistaken, please do let me know. Cheers both. |
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