Fantasy Role Playing Games

by John Eric Holmes

An introduction to the intellectual pastime of fantasy role playing games of the Dungeons and Dragons type. This book describes the development of these addictive games from their origins in the early 70's and presents a state-of-the-art summary of their variations, their physical paraphernalia, their statistical tools and props, and the special imaginative atmosphere that each is likely to develop. The fascination of 'acting out' one's character in a universe that is defined at once by rational constraints and by chance, that is both orderly and studded with possibility, has made the role playing games amazingly popular.

Genres: Games, Role Playing Games, Nonfiction, Gaming

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

A curious snapshot of a time and a place, as written for someone curious about or feeling the need to know about the hobby, and written for the practical matters instead of the theory. One could imagine a parent of the time reaching for it in order to understand the weird esoterica that their son (let's be honest) was getting involved with. And it was written prior to the Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons noise circa 1983-ish, so the chapter addressing the obsessive qualities and antisocial behavior is done without that specific defensiveness.

Yet it does dive into the prevalent games, covering the gamut by genre. I don't think it a particularly deep dive about the thought processes or themes that each brings to the table, and the discussion is framed with Dungeons and Dragons as the reference point. Whether all the games were really about people murderhoboing their way to wealth and prestige is a separate discussion, or one that did not stick in my mind.

[Corey Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy Role Playing Games provides a nice description of the hobby as it was, circa 1980. The author, Eric Holmes was a TSR insider who also wrote the rules for the first Dungeons and Dragons Basic Set. In this book, he gives his opinions and perspective on the major games of the day, including AD&D, Tunnels and Trolls, Gamma World, Runequest, and Chivalry and Sorcery. This is a unique book that would be of interest to collectors and anyone feeling nostalgic for the early days of roleplaying.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history of fantasy role playing games from the perspective of 1981. A less commercial hobby back then, still enjoyed mainly by men with beards who liked prog rock.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holmes' treatise on roleplaying is mainly an introduction, intended to introduce the genre to new players. Thus, most of the time is spent explaining how to play and outlining the options for play circa about 1978 or 1979.

The result is just slightly interesting from a historical point of view, based on Holmes' matter-of-fact explanations of how roleplaying works. Sadly, it doesn't provide any notable insights into who Holmes was or what his philosophy on gaming was.