A history of CRPGs book

[tiresius]

I just got this book for my birthday. It's pretty good, some of you may have read the gamasutra articles the author wrote about the different ages of CRPGs. This book is that idea more fleshed out with more games described. The first reviewer is spot on with the book's flaws, but I still enjoy reading it.

http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops ... 568814119/

[BasiliskWrangler]

Oh man, what a great looking book! I will order my copy post-haste!

Thank you very much for sharing!

[Dragonlady]

Looks interesting, but it is a bit steep in price. Guess I'll have to dig out my Xmas gift certificate to Amazon and use it.

[Getharn]

Interestingly, I did a search for it on the UK Amazon site, and came up with a match containing the largest array of brackets I've ever seen:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dungeons-Deskto ... 568814119/

How can it be an audiobook and be in large print?

[scback]

This is a definite buy once it is out in paperback.

Thanks!

[CrazyBernie]

Did you see the "Frequently Bought With" book?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quests-Design-T ... gy_b_img_a

[Getharn]

Did you see the "Frequently Bought With" book?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quests-Design-T ... gy_b_img_a

Yes, I had a brief look. It seemed to be a little too dense for my tastes, as it talks a lot about history and literature, but I think perhaps the preview only showing the first few pages is being unfair. I trawled a little more just now and a comment I noticed elsewhere on the web intrigued me:

This unique take on quests, incorporating literary and digital theory, provides an excellent resource for game developers. Focused on both the theory and practice of the four main aspects of quests (spaces, objects, actors, and challenges), each theoretical section is followed by a practical section that contains exercises using the Neverwinter Nights Aurora Toolset.

Hmm, I know that toolset!

After a little more digging I found there was a Slashdot review I'd completely missed the first time. I must admit I'm now rather tempted to buy it, although it is rather pricey.

I'd be tempted to get it along with its "perfect partner", if I could be sure it wasn't an audiobook, as advertised by the brackets... Maybe I'll get it from Blackwells instead.

As an aside, I've just found a Slashdot review of Dungeons and Desktops as well, in case anybody's interested.

[Dragonlady]

thanks for the review link Getharn. I was long enough! From the review I've decided it's not worth the cost. If there had been lots of color pictures of the games mentioned I would have been tempted.

[CrazyBernie]

I found it rather amusing that you could find it new for less than used... ^_^

[Palog]

By the same author there's a series of article about CRPG history on the net:

Part 1: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part 1: The Early Years (1980-1983)
Part 2: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part 2: The Golden Age (1985-1993)
Part 3: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part III: The Platinum and Modern Ages (1994-2004)

[BasiliskWrangler]

I did get a copy of this book, and I have enjoyed it quite a bit. It's not a "read it cover-to-cover" type of book, but rather one you page through until you see the name of a game that catches your eye and then relish the great memories it stirs up. It is a pretty extensive compilation of RPGs, and I have discovered about half-a-dozen titles from the late 80's/early 90's that I never knew about that I want to track down and add to my collection.

[Palog]

Home of the Underdogs abandonware site was also an excellent source for discovering worthy not well known CRPG. Alas it recently get down. It hadn't only reviews for abandonware CRPG but also for any CRPG.