Trip Down Memory Lane: The History of Computer RPGs

[Comfortably Numb]

Part 1: The Early Years

http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223a/barton_01.shtml


Part 2: The Golden Age

http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_01.shtml


Part 3 isn't up yet, but should be coming soon.

[TheRedEye]

Part 3 isn't up yet, but should be coming soon.

Hi, I'm the features editor of Gamasutra. We don't have an estimated date for part 3 yet, but it probably won't be for quite a while: from what I understand, part 2 took him well over a month to do!

I'm glad you're enjoying the series.

[Comfortably Numb]

Yeah, they're great articles. I'll be looking forward to part three.

[Nature Boy]

I started reading it, but I can't say I'm going to finish it. The author seems too hung up on how much he loves RPGs, to the point where all other genres are irrelevant.

Like this:


You just can't have more fun with a computer or a console than when you're engrossed in a well-crafted CRPG.

(Sure I can).

And this:


Although there have always been games, none of them had the drawing power of D&D.

(His explanations as to why the above statement are weak and unsupported).


Strategy games like chess, meanwhile, are so abstract and "mental" that it's often not clear whether they are true amusements or really just exercises in logic. Furthermore, the fact that you can become a professional chess player indicates that chess lost its status as a mere "game."

(Um, last time I checked, there were professional video gamers)

If you're an avid RPG fan, you'll probably enjoy the article (because the hyperbole will roll right off you). If you're only a casual RPG fan it might get under your skin.

Just my two cents.

[Ed Oscuro]

Well, of course I can always quibble with stuff...but I've already learned a few things from skimming the article. I agree about the usage of the term Role Playing Game, for what it's worth (you can always skip the bits you don't much care for, as I have - it's better to have it in there, though).

I'm enjoying this bit:


Somehow I doubt that anyone sitting down for an evening of Rogue ever donned a pair of cheap elf ears and a faux leather jerkin, though such accouterments are common enough at real D&D games. Furthermore, although dnd players might belt out an obscenity every so often, I doubt any of them did so in a Dwarvish accent.
:)

[tom]

Excellent, I always enjoyed RPGs from USA on my A8 or C-64 (The Magic Candle & Knights of Legend, those two on C-64, still my favorites), the Japanese could/can never match those.

Of course, he missed the Atari VCS 'Adventure' and 'Dragonstomper' games, plus the Intellivision AD&D games?

[Superman]

I'm not a fan of most RPGs, but I like to see the history of video games. Even though it only covers one aspect of games, I enjoyed the history!

[Steve W]

I'm happy that they mentioned Tunnels of Doom on the TI Home Computer. I sunk many hours into that one, and I'm glad it's greatness hasn't been forgotten.

[Mayhem]

Was "The Temple of Apshai Trilogy" really first released in 1983? The C64 "improved" version wasn't out until 1985. What formats got the combined super deluxe improved package in 1983?

Oh and which version are you quoting for Bard's Tale 3: Thief of Fate with 1991 release date? It was out on the C64 in 1988 or 1989.

Very good reading... need to take more time to digest it all :)

[Comfortably Numb]

I started reading it, but I can't say I'm going to finish it. The author seems too hung up on how much he loves RPGs, to the point where all other genres are irrelevant.

Like this:



You just can't have more fun with a computer or a console than when you're engrossed in a well-crafted CRPG.

(Sure I can).

And this:


Although there have always been games, none of them had the drawing power of D&D.

(His explanations as to why the above statement are weak and unsupported).



Strategy games like chess, meanwhile, are so abstract and "mental" that it's often not clear whether they are true amusements or really just exercises in logic. Furthermore, the fact that you can become a professional chess player indicates that chess lost its status as a mere "game."

(Um, last time I checked, there were professional video gamers)

If you're an avid RPG fan, you'll probably enjoy the article (because the hyperbole will roll right off you). If you're only a casual RPG fan it might get under your skin.

Just my two cents.


Sounds like you're just nitpicking. The article is about the history of computer rpgs, so, I'm not sure why he would talk about other genres. And I also don't think they're gonna get a sports or FPS gamer to write that kind of article.