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\r\nFor those with an interest in CRPGs (Computer role-playing games), there is a book written by Matt Barton entitled Dungeons & Desktops \u2013 The History of Computer Role-Playing Games. Published back in 2008, the book has not garnered much attention, and so Jay Barnson over at Tales of the Rampant Coyote website took it upon himself to conduct a review of the comprehensive 451-page tome. He writes:\r\n
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\r\n\"Chapter one is an introduction to computer role-playing. Besides introducing the rest of the book, Barton tackles the ever-slippery subject, \u201CWhat is a computer role-playing game?\u201D attempting to differentiate it from other, similar game categories. While his will hardly be the final word on the subject, he takes a pretty good stab at it. Ultimately, he notes that it all comes down to \u201Cfamily resemblances\u201D rather than strict categorical definition.\r\n
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\r\nChapter two discusses the origins of computer RPGs, including the usual suspects as Strat-O-Matic baseball, tabletop wargaming, J. R. R. Tolkien, renaissance fairs, Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games, Colossal Cave Adventure, and others.\r\n
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\r\nChapter three deals with the \u201CDark Ages\u201D of Computer RPGs \u2013 principally the era before home computers and the commercial computer game industry. His name for this stage of history is fairly apt \u2013 in many cases, we have very little information about these games, as their code has been lost to the fickle enforcement of university system administrators, known only through the dim memories of a few players.\"\r\n
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\r\nYou can read the rest of the review at the following link:\r\n
\r\n\r\nhttp://rampantgames.com/blog/?p=343
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\r\nCheck out this blast from the past, courtesy of the folks at 1Up:\r\n
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\r\n\"Exactly fifteen years ago today, Electronic Arts officially unveiled its website at www.ea.com. \r\n
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\r\nRecords of EA\'s first attempt at a web presence are long gone, though a press release issued that day provides some insight into what was available at the time, including audio and video clips (something of a rarity on the internet of 1995), downloadable game demos, and an official EA shop with branded merchandise.\"\r\n
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\r\nHow things have changed so much in the last 15 years! You can read the rest at the following link:\r\n
\r\n\r\nhttp://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3178697
