Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground, Deluxe Edition

Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground, Deluxe Edition
Author: Stu Horvath
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 457
Release: 2023-10-10
Genre: Games & Activities
ISBN: 026204823X

A richly illustrated, encyclopedic deep dive into the history of roleplaying games. When Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson released Dungeons & Dragons in 1974, they created the first roleplaying game of all time. Little did they know that their humble box set of three small digest-sized booklets would spawn an entire industry practically overnight. In Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground, Stu Horvath explores how the hobby of roleplaying games, commonly known as RPGs, blossomed out of an unlikely pop culture phenomenon and became a dominant gaming form by the 2010s. Going far beyond D&D, this heavily illustrated tome covers more than three hundred different RPGs that have been published in the last five decades. Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground features (among other things) bunnies, ghostbusters, soap operas, criminal bears, space monsters, political intrigue, vampires, romance, and, of course, some dungeons and dragons. In a decade-by-decade breakdown, Horvath chronicles how RPGs have evolved in the time between their inception and the present day, offering a deep and gratifying glimpse into a hobby that has changed the way we think about games and play. The deluxe edition will include a foil-stamped cover and slipcase with a cloth binding, a ribbon, gilded edges, and an 8.5x11-inch card stock poster of the regular edition.

Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground

Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground
Author: Stu Horvath
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 457
Release: 2023-10-10
Genre: Games & Activities
ISBN: 0262048221

A richly illustrated, encyclopedic deep dive into the history of roleplaying games. When Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson released Dungeons & Dragons in 1974, they created the first roleplaying game of all time. Little did they know that their humble box set of three small digest-sized booklets would spawn an entire industry practically overnight. In Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground, Stu Horvath explores how the hobby of roleplaying games, commonly known as RPGs, blossomed out of an unlikely pop culture phenomenon and became a dominant gaming form by the 2010s. Going far beyond D&D, this heavily illustrated tome covers more than three hundred different RPGs that have been published in the last five decades. Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground features (among other things) bunnies, ghostbusters, soap operas, criminal bears, space monsters, political intrigue, vampires, romance, and, of course, some dungeons and dragons. In a decade-by-decade breakdown, Horvath chronicles how RPGs have evolved in the time between their inception and the present day, offering a deep and gratifying glimpse into a hobby that has changed the way we think about games and play.

Monster of the Week

Monster of the Week
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2015-01-27
Genre:
ISBN: 9781613170922

Most people don't believe in monsters, but you know the truth. They're real, and it's your task to bring them down. This revised edition of Monster of the Week brings that adventure to life.Monster of the Week is a standalone action-horror RPG for 3-5 people. Hunt high school beasties a la Buffy the Vampire Slayer, travel the country to bring down unnatural creatures like the Winchester brothers of Supernatural, or head up the government investigation like Mulder and Scully.This book contains everything you need to tackle Bigfoot, collar a chupacabra, and drive away demons. In this revised edition, you'll find:

Touched by an Alien

Touched by an Alien
Author: Gini Koch
Publisher: Astra Publishing House
Total Pages: 371
Release: 2010-04-06
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1101186321

Sci-fi action meets steamy paranormal romance in Gini Koch’s Alien novels, as Katherine “Kitty” Katt faces off against aliens, conspiracies, and deadly secrets. • “Futuristic high-jinks and gripping adventure.” —RT Reviews Marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt had just finished a day on jury duty. When she stepped out of the Pueblo Caliente courthouse, all she was thinking about was the work she had to get caught up on. Then her attention was caught by a fight between a couple that looked like it was about to turn ugly. But ugly didn't even begin to cover it when the "man" suddenly transformed into a huge, winged monster right out of a grade Z science fiction movie and went on a deadly killing spree. In hindsight, Kitty realized she probably should have panicked and run screaming the way everyone around her was doing. Instead she sprinted into action to take down the alien. In the middle of all the screeching and the ensuing chaos, a hunk in an Armani suit suddenly appeared beside her, introduced himself as Jeff Martini with "the agency," and then insisted on leading her to a nearby limo to talk to his "boss." And that was how Kitty's new life among the aliens began... Touched by an Alien is the thrilling first installment of the Alien novels.

The Ultimate RPG Gameplay Guide

The Ultimate RPG Gameplay Guide
Author: James D’Amato
Publisher: Adams Media
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2019-10-08
Genre: Games & Activities
ISBN: 1507210930

Improve your RPG campaign with this comprehensive and interactive guide to making the most out of your gaming experience. Whatever RPG game you play, from D&D to Call of Cthulu to licensed games like Star Wars, every detail is important. From setting the scene to choosing the right music or even adjusting the lighting to create the right atmosphere, every choice helps maximize your gaming experience. The Ultimate RPG Gameplay Guide provides practical advice for everything from pre-game preparations and in-game improvisation to working out a plan of attack with your teammates to learning how to lean into the setting of your game. Including instructions, prompts, and activities, it offers everything you need for successful, fun role-playing with your friends every time you play. Create hours of narrative and make the most out of your storytelling skills by setting the perfect scene for your adventure. Whether you need advice on your character or working better with your gaming group, James D’Amato includes everything you’ll need to take your game to the next level.

The Illustrated World of Tolkien

The Illustrated World of Tolkien
Author: David Day
Publisher: Pyramid
Total Pages: 371
Release: 2019-10-19
Genre: Art
ISBN: 0753734044

Tolkien's works have inspired artists for generations and have given rise to myriad interpretations of the rich and magical worlds he created. The Illustrated World of Tolkien gathers together artworks and essays from expert illustrators, painters and etchers, and fascinating and scholarly writing from renowned Tolkien expert David Day, and is an exquisite reference guide for any fan of Tolkien's work, Tolkien's world and the imaginative brilliance his vision inspired.

The Worldbuilder's Journal of Legendary Adventures (Dungeons & Dragons)

The Worldbuilder's Journal of Legendary Adventures (Dungeons & Dragons)
Author: Official Dungeons & Dragons Licensed
Publisher: Clarkson Potter Publishers
Total Pages: 370
Release: 2020-05-12
Genre: Games & Activities
ISBN: 1984824635

An official Dungeons & Dragons journal featuring 365 writing prompts to help role-players of all levels get their creative juices flowing. Building something from scratch is exciting, but it can also be a challenge. Within this journal lie 365 prompts to help you start your journey. Every page will steer you to strengthening the details of your world, whether you're playing within the vast Dungeons & Dragons cosmos or creating a landscape of your own design. You'll encounter insightful questions that encourage you to delve deep into the backstories of your characters and their enemies, and what drives them to a life of adventure. You'll also see prompts that reference D&D myths and legends, some familiar and others more obscure. Answer them as best you can or let them be the spark that starts your journey into the endless realms of D&D lore. Above all, this guided journal, like D&D itself, is driven by your imagination. There are no wrong answers, paths, or rolls here (though once the game begins there are no guarantees). Nor do you need to be a master storyteller, writer, or artist. You just need to aspire to create and have the courage to build something you may have never before imagined.

How to Write Adventure Modules That Don't Suck

How to Write Adventure Modules That Don't Suck
Author: Jobe Bittman
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2024-05-14
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781946231086

Goodman Games has established a reputation for publishing some of the best adventure modules in the industry. Now we present our advice on how you can write great adventures! This compilation of articles is authored by two dozen of the industry's best-known adventure writers. Each article gives a different perspective on how to write adventure modules that don't suck, written by authors with decades of experience and prominent published credits. By the time you're done reading this book, you'll be on the path to designing great adventure modules on your own. Bonus: This PDF includes a digital copy of the original How To Write Adventures Modules That Don't Suck (2007). Whether you're an experienced writer or an aspiring novice, you'll find something of value in this book!