Labyrrinth
04-12-2007, 10:15 PM
Gamasutra is running a series on The History of Computer Role-Playing Games. They currently have 3 parts up of a supposed 5 part series. Part 1 covers the early years (http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223a/barton_01.shtml) and examines the origins of the Computer Role-Playing Game (CRPG) From it's obscure roots in Dungeons and Dragons to the first incarnations of true CRPGs. Part 1 even touches on some myths that still plague gamers today
Furthermore, as then as well as now, occasionally news surfaced of some genuinely disturbed gamer performing some horrific crime and then blaming it all on the game. The same could be said about the D&D-themed "heavy metal" music of the era. Obviously, Iron Maiden or Judas Priest was a powerful catalyst for evil during all those dice rolls for initiative. The fact that so many people are still willing to buy into this rubbish is far more fearful than any demonic foe encountered in a D&D session!
The Golden Age. That's how the author refers to the period between 1985 to 1993 and this is the time period that Part 2 of The History of Computer Role-Playing Games (http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_01.shtml) details. The Golden Age covers gaming classics like The Bard's Tale, Ultima IV, and The Pool of Radiance, among others.
After all, like Wizardry, the first Bard's Tale is a challenging game even for expert D&D players. The difficulty is particularly felt during the crucial initial stage of the game, when the player's characters (up to six) are weak, poorly equipped, and inexperienced. I can't remember how many times I created an entire party of adventurers, only to have them all perish in a random encounter before I could make it to Garth's weapons shop!
1994-2004, The Platinum and Modern Ages (http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070411/barton_01.shtml). According to the author, this age of computer gaming had it's share of ups and downs, with quite a few flops and some hard lessons learned. Among the many games that didn't succeed were Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance and Descent to Undermountain. Those that did succeed set a whole new standard for future game developers to strive. Among the many wonderful things The Platinum and Modern Age brought the CRPG world were MMORPGs, which according to the author, have also been a contributing factor to the CRPG's downfall.
Perhaps we’re at such a point now; major CRPG titles have slowed to a trickle, and some critics seem all but convinced that online games like Blizzard’s World of Warcraft are the logical heirs of the “oldskool” CRPG. However, rather than trace the lineage of games like World of Warcraft or EverQuest back to CRPG classics like Ultima or Wizardry, I see them more as the descendents of another genre called the “MUD,”or the multi-user dungeon.
Furthermore, as then as well as now, occasionally news surfaced of some genuinely disturbed gamer performing some horrific crime and then blaming it all on the game. The same could be said about the D&D-themed "heavy metal" music of the era. Obviously, Iron Maiden or Judas Priest was a powerful catalyst for evil during all those dice rolls for initiative. The fact that so many people are still willing to buy into this rubbish is far more fearful than any demonic foe encountered in a D&D session!
The Golden Age. That's how the author refers to the period between 1985 to 1993 and this is the time period that Part 2 of The History of Computer Role-Playing Games (http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_01.shtml) details. The Golden Age covers gaming classics like The Bard's Tale, Ultima IV, and The Pool of Radiance, among others.
After all, like Wizardry, the first Bard's Tale is a challenging game even for expert D&D players. The difficulty is particularly felt during the crucial initial stage of the game, when the player's characters (up to six) are weak, poorly equipped, and inexperienced. I can't remember how many times I created an entire party of adventurers, only to have them all perish in a random encounter before I could make it to Garth's weapons shop!
1994-2004, The Platinum and Modern Ages (http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070411/barton_01.shtml). According to the author, this age of computer gaming had it's share of ups and downs, with quite a few flops and some hard lessons learned. Among the many games that didn't succeed were Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance and Descent to Undermountain. Those that did succeed set a whole new standard for future game developers to strive. Among the many wonderful things The Platinum and Modern Age brought the CRPG world were MMORPGs, which according to the author, have also been a contributing factor to the CRPG's downfall.
Perhaps we’re at such a point now; major CRPG titles have slowed to a trickle, and some critics seem all but convinced that online games like Blizzard’s World of Warcraft are the logical heirs of the “oldskool” CRPG. However, rather than trace the lineage of games like World of Warcraft or EverQuest back to CRPG classics like Ultima or Wizardry, I see them more as the descendents of another genre called the “MUD,”or the multi-user dungeon.