23 réponses à ce sujet

[felipepepe]

Fellow RPG fans, hello!

My name is Felipe, and I'm currently working on a crowd-sourced book on cRPGs. After organizing the RPG Codex's Top 70 list, I decided to expand that into a full blown book.

The idea is to feature in-depth reviews of over 250 great cRPGs in chronological order, from Akalabeth to Might & Magic X, plus interesting articles on the genre and interviews. All that written by RPG fans from all over the world, compiled into a beautiful book with big a colored screenshots. It is a book showing what the genre has best, and how people enjoy them. A book that every review that you read you will see that it was important for the reviewer and want to play the game he just talked.

So far I've got some big developers in, like Ian S. Frazier (lead designer on the next Mass Effect) Tim Cain, Chris Avellone, Josh Sawyer and Colin McComb. I also got full support and access to the content of forums like the RPG Codex and RPG Watch (including some stuff from RPGdot), DJ Old Games, some indie developers like Iron Tower Studios, Sinister Design and Rampant Games, as well as bloggers such as cRPG Addict and modders like Durante and Wesp5.

Here's a small WIP preview:

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

The entire project is entirely non-profit, so the final e-book will be freely available for download, under Creative Commons and all that. And if everything goes well I intend to make a paperback print also available, fully colored and in high-quality print, for those that want one. Non-profit as well, of course, sold at cost price. 

My call for aid

Here's the list of games that will be in: https://docs.google...._54VibI/pubhtml

I'm looking for fans willing to write a review of one or two of the listed games still unassigned. You can, of course, also suggest games that should be added.

BEFORE starting to write, please post on the thread about what will you do, PM me or send an e-mail to crpgbook at gmail.com. Someone might have already taken the game, or I might have extra details to discuss.

Thanks all for your time and sorry for the massive 12/12 Wall of Text.
 

[Dominus]

I'm surprised no one else has posted on this one. Yeah, I'd be quite happy to throw in some insight for a couple role-playing games. Not exactly a hardcore RPG fan, but some of these I know very well.

Mass Effect 2, or Barkley Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden would be ones I'd probably be able to write 1-2 pages on.

[Cyonan]

I would be interested to see this when it's finished. Unfortunately most of the games I'm knowledgeable about appear to have already been assigned.

 

I should be able to handle XCOM: Enemy Unknown as well as the expansion Enemy Within(I wouldn't draw many comparisons to the 1994 original though, as I've not actually played that).

[Kaiser Arian XVII]

Might and Magic 8 and 9 are the only M&M games I've finished and I like both. 9th is problematic, but I can forgive its uninteresting graphics. I wish I could help, but my reviews aren't very special and high class. I'm sure there are better reviewers out there.

[felipepepe]

I'm surprised no one else has posted on this one. Yeah, I'd be quite happy to throw in some insight for a few role-playing games. Not exactly a hardcore RPG fan, but a couple of these I know very well.

You don't have to be a hardcore fan, the idea of the book is to represent every kind of player, from the veteran of the Gold Box series to someone that had Mass Effect as his first RPG ever.

 

For those interested, this is the format of the reviews:

 

Reviews specifications:

There are two kinds of reviews, the ones with one page and the ones with two. These are displayed on the list. If you think that the game you're writing about needs 2 pages instead of 1, contact me and we'll discuss it. But please note that not every game needs two pages, ok?

One Page reviews have up to 2000 characters, one header image and 2 screenshots + descriptions. And they have room for one short side blurb or info-box. Here's an example of a 1 page review: http://i.imgur.com/AKINvJj.png

Two page reviews have up to 4200 characters, one header image and 3-4 screenshots + descriptions. They feature a developer's quote and they have room for two or three short side info blurbs or info-boxes. Here's an example: http://i.imgur.com/LfZfHEw.png

You can, but don't need to provide the screenshots (in .png if you do, please), just be sure to say what you think is important to show and write the descriptions for the images. They are a good place to point out things that won't fit the main text. The developer's quote will be handled by me (unless you know a good one already).

The tone can be somewhat personal, talking about how you stayed up for a whole night trying to map that dungeon in Wizardry 4, but it’s very important that a reader that knows nothing about the game is able to understand what the game really is, its strong points and occasional flaws. Don’t say that “it has great combat”; explain why it’s great.

 

 

 

Mass Effect 2, or Barkley Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden would be ones I'd probably be able to writing 1-2 pages on.

 

I would be interested in these.

 

I should be able to handle XCOM: Enemy Unknown as well as the expansion Enemy Within(I wouldn't draw many comparisons to the 1994 original though, as I've not actually played that).

I think it's fair for you to review them, maybe even mention that the new games made you care for something that the 1994 games never managed to sell you...

[TheChris92]

I wrote a great wall of text review for Sith Lords on Steam once, it was among my first CRPGs/western/whatever you wanna call it and its extrovert take on Star Wars was what fascinated me to analyze it -- I love analyzing anything from games to film in general. Sadly, it, and a few others I'd have taken up has mostly been taken. I think I could South Park if need be though.

[Dominus]

It’s very important that a reader that knows nothing about the game is able to understand what the game really is

Good idea, considering the potential audience could be someone just starting in the gaming world. I'll probably be mentioning a blurb on Mass Effect 1 as a precursor, but I doubt it'd be more than a paragraph. Sounds like I've got a hell of a lot of writing to do. This calls for some inspirational music...

[Il Divo]

Is it absolutely necessary to have played System Shock 1 to review its sequel? If not, I'd certainly love to give a crack at System Shock 2.

 

Alternatively, if it's somehow managed to stay available, I'd love to give Planescape: Torment a shot.

 

And if that's also not available, I'd love to try Dark Souls II, which I'm currently replaying.

[felipepepe]

Is it absolutely necessary to have played System Shock 1 to review its sequel? If not, I'd certainly love to give a crack at System Shock 2.

 

Alternatively, if it's somehow managed to stay available, I'd love to give Planescape: Torment a shot.

 

And if that's also not available, I'd love to try Dark Souls II, which I'm currently replaying.

 

Sorry man, those have all been taken already.

 

Here's the list, see if there's any other you would enjoy: https://docs.google...._54VibI/pubhtml

[Dominus]

For those still curious to write their hearts about their favorite RPGs(and get free publicity), quite a few popular titles are still available:

Transistor, South Park: Stick of Truth, Diablo 3, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Fallout 3, Diablo 2, Child of Light, and Final Fantasy 8.

A lot of the classic RPGs are also available on GoG as well in case their spots are open later on:

Bloodnet, Wizardry 6, Might And Magic 7, Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D: Dragonshard, Neverwinter Nights 2, Risen, Divinity 2, Torchlight, and Sacred.

If others get taken, I'll edit them out in the post.

[TheRealJayDee]

Hm, I guess I'd definitely be able to contribute a page about XCOM: EU (and EW), since it's probably my most played game of the last years.

 

I've finished playing Child of Light with a friend of mine just a few days ago, but while I liked it for the most part (**** the DLC madness) I don't feel entirely familiar enough yet to write about it.

 

Only played a little Torchlight here and there, since I got it for free on GOG, and Final Fantasy 8... nah, 'twas just too long ago. 

[Kaiser Arian XVII]

Hm, I guess I'd definitely be able to contribute a page about XCOM: EU (and EW), since it's probably my most played game of the last years.

 

 

I thought I had played it all after I finished XCom: EU on normal difficulty. The gameplay is awesome but the lab, engineering and cutscenes will become repetitive if you play this game too much.

Can you explain why you played it the most?

[Cyonan]

I thought I had played it all after I finished XCom: EU on normal difficulty. The gameplay is awesome but the lab, engineering and cutscenes will become repetitive if you play this game too much.

Can you explain why you played it the most?

 

I've actually had quite a bit of fun doing another playthrough with Training Roulette turned on from Enemy Within.

 

It helps mix up the gameplay by randomizing most of your soldier's abilities. You do get a few pre-defined choices, such as all snipers being able to choose Squadsight or Snap Shot still, but for the most part it completely breaks the same 2 or 3 cookie cutter builds that I had been using for all my soldiers. It's great when you get an Assault who ends up with both Bullet Swarm and Rapid Fire.

 

The cutscenes get repetitive, but at this point I just skip them and turned off the tutorial dialogue.

[Dominus]

Well, if you're still in need of reviewers, I'd tackle Diablo II in a heartbeat. Outside of that one, I wouldn't mind trying out Final Fantasy VIII since that seems to be the black sheep of the choices XD. I enjoyed it enough to wax nostalgic.

[felipepepe]

Hm, I guess I'd definitely be able to contribute a page about XCOM: EU (and EW), since it's probably my most played game of the last years.

 

 

Shall I mark is as "taken" then?

 

 

Well, if you're still in need of reviewers, I'd tackle Diablo II in a heartbeat. Outside of that one, I wouldn't mind trying out Final Fantasy VIII since that seems to be the black sheep of the choices XD. I enjoyed it enough to wax nostalgic.

 

Nice, are you familiar with the mods & multiplayer of Diablo II?

 

Also, the Dragon Age 2 review is available again... 

[Dominus]

I looked up some info online about it, which should be enough for an info box. I haven't touched the game since 2000 and don't have the original disc so :| Should still be more than enough for a 2-pager.

Dragon Age 2, I may try that instead of Final Fantasy 8. I'll figure things out once Diablo 2 is finished.

[felipepepe]

Dragon Age 2, I may try that instead of Final Fantasy 8. I'll figure things out once Diablo 2 is finished.

 

Great.

[Susty Randusky]

I'll take Fallout 3. Could easily write a lot about that game.

[felipepepe]

Do I need to play a game to review it?

You don't have to fully replay it for this, but you must have played it recently. Talking about how great was Might & Magic 3 when you played it 20 years ago as a kid is kind of pointless...

 

 

I'll take Fallout 3. Could easily write a lot about that game.

Great, are you familiar with the Wanderer's Edition Mod?

[Fast Jimmy]

I could EASILY write a twenty page dissertation of any of the Quest for Glory games. I play them all again on roughly an annual basis. Are they still available?

EDIT: I apologize - I had though the list were all games that were not assigned, not seeing the "X" mark next to the QFG games.

[Dominus]

Alright, got 3 reviews taken care of so far and working on Dragon Age 2. As a sneak peak, here's one of the reviews for Charles Barkley, Shut up and Jam: Gaiden - Chapter 1 of the Barkley/Hoops SaGa.(NSFW)
 

Spoiler

[felipepepe]

If someone is still checking this, we just released a 100-page preview of the book.

Grab it here: http://www.mediafire....ok_Preview.pdf

[Dominus]

Holy Smokes, it's back and looking good. The cover has a great look to it, and the introductory bits are a nice touch; If someone used the term 'automapping', I'd probably be scratching my head.
 

Now I've got something to read over christmas.