The Forge Reference Project

 

Topic: Writing/Designing Gamebooks
Started by: Space Cowboy
Started on: 11/5/2004
Board: RPG Theory


On 11/5/2004 at 10:50pm, Space Cowboy wrote:
Writing/Designing Gamebooks

Hey all,

How’s it going? After I finish a trilogy of novellas I’m working on, I’m taking a page from the Homestar Runner playbook and my next project will be to write a gamebook set in the Wild Sphere universe. I used to be a HUGE fan of gamebooks (I probably bought over 100 of them (e.g., “Choose Your Own Adventure”, “Fighting Fantasy”, “Lone Wolf”) but it’s been nearly 20 years since I’ve read a gamebook in earnest, and I have do to a bunch of research.

I’ve already been to the excellent source website gamebooks.org, and I’m going to download the Lone Wolf books from Project Aon, but does anyone have any other suggested resources?

Also, if you can remember or if you currently read gamebooks, does anyone have any suggestions, hints, tips to writing/designing gamebooks?

Many thanks in advance!

Message 13307#141966

Previous & subsequent topics...
...started by Space Cowboy
...in which Space Cowboy participated
...in RPG Theory
...including keyword:

 (leave blank for none)
...from around 11/5/2004




On 11/6/2004 at 12:06am, xiombarg wrote:
RE: Writing/Designing Gamebooks

There was an old ADQ article from the British Steve Jackson on how to do gamebooks... Perhaps if you Paw around in the archives...

Also, don't forget gamebooks.org...

Message 13307#141969

Previous & subsequent topics...
...started by xiombarg
...in which xiombarg participated
...in RPG Theory
...including keyword:

 (leave blank for none)
...from around 11/6/2004




On 11/6/2004 at 2:40am, Cup of Iron wrote:
RE: Writing/Designing Gamebooks

If by research, you mean perhaps reading someof these book, I had heard of one (although had not read it) which was written by an author, who's name escapes me at the moment called Lottery or something like that. One of the more interesting aspects of this book is that while it is also a variable plot novel , it is also made to be read cover to cover, which no doubt took a while to create, but makes it more easily marketable to the average reader.

Message 13307#141971

Previous & subsequent topics...
...started by Cup of Iron
...in which Cup of Iron participated
...in RPG Theory
...including keyword:

 (leave blank for none)
...from around 11/6/2004




On 11/16/2004 at 10:06pm, Space Cowboy wrote:
RE: Writing/Designing Gamebooks

xiombarg wrote: There was an old ADQ article from the British Steve Jackson on how to do gamebooks... Perhaps if you Paw around in the archives...

Also, don't forget gamebooks.org...


Hey Xiombarg,

Sorry that I haven't gotten back to your post earlier- I've been down with the flu for a week.

Thanks heaps for your post and the links!

Message 13307#142737

Previous & subsequent topics...
...started by Space Cowboy
...in which Space Cowboy participated
...in RPG Theory
...including keyword:

 (leave blank for none)
...from around 11/16/2004




On 11/16/2004 at 10:07pm, Space Cowboy wrote:
RE: Writing/Designing Gamebooks

Cup of Iron wrote: If by research, you mean perhaps reading someof these book, I had heard of one (although had not read it) which was written by an author, who's name escapes me at the moment called Lottery or something like that. One of the more interesting aspects of this book is that while it is also a variable plot novel , it is also made to be read cover to cover, which no doubt took a while to create, but makes it more easily marketable to the average reader.


Hey Cup of Iron,

Thanks heaps for your post! Are you talking about Kim Newman's Life's Lottery?

Message 13307#142739

Previous & subsequent topics...
...started by Space Cowboy
...in which Space Cowboy participated
...in RPG Theory
...including keyword:

 (leave blank for none)
...from around 11/16/2004




On 11/21/2004 at 5:29am, Kesher wrote:
RE: Writing/Designing Gamebooks

Howdy.

If you're interested in the whole gamebook idea, check out

http://www.advancedfightingfantasy.com

They've got tons of info on that line of books, as well as fan-created texts and articles on writing your own. You can also join the Adventurer's Guild and get your very own membership card and sparkly purple dice sent all the way from England, which, you know, only makes the whole thing sweeter...

Message 13307#143218

Previous & subsequent topics...
...started by Kesher
...in which Kesher participated
...in RPG Theory
...including keyword:

 (leave blank for none)
...from around 11/21/2004