The Sims Medieval is coming soon to a computer near you. Are you excited and need help to pass the time until the game\'s release? For the CRPG enthusiasts out there, a new book about fantasy role playing games written by Michael J. Tresca has appeared on Amazon. Here are the product details, courtesy of Amazon:
\"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.\"
A short book review has been written up by Alexander Hinkley over at The Examiner. Coincidentally, the author of the book also happens to work at The Examiner. Here is an excerpt of the review:
\"Every RPG really has the same goal in mind, for the player to achieve agency with his or her character. That is, they want the player to feel like they actually are their character. This is the essence of \"role-playing.\" Whether this is achieved by taking on the role of an established character like Kaim Argonar in Lost Odyssey on the Xbox 360 or creating your own character in Dungeons and Dragons at your kitchen table, the general principle has remained the same for decades. The Evolution of Fantasy Role-Playing Games is a must-read for anybody interested in playing or ever creating an RPG.\"
You can read more about the book review over at The Examiner.
