Description
Tracing the evolution of fantasy gaming from its origins in tabletop
war and collectible card games to contemporary web-based live action
and massive multi-player games, this book examines the archetypes and
concepts within the fantasy gaming genre alongside the roles and
functions of the game players themselves. Other topics include: how The
Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings helped shape fantasy gaming through
Tolkien's obsessive attention to detail and virtual world building; the
community-based fellowship embraced by players of both play-by-post and
persistent browser-based games, despite the fact that these games are
fundamentally solo experiences; the origins of gamebooks and
interactive fiction; and the evolution of online gaming in terms of
technological capabilities, media richness, narrative structure, coding
authority, and participant roles.
Praise and Reviews
"Highly recommended for any and all fans of the RPG genre." Alexander Hinkley, Xbox 360 Examiner.
"A fascinating stroll through history, "The Evolution of Fantasy
Role-Playing Games" is an excellent pick and is highly recommended." Midwest Book Review