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Author:

Peterson, Jon.

Title:

Playing at the world : a history of simulating wars, people and fantastic adventures, from chess to role-playing games / Jon Peterson.

Publisher:

Unreason Press,

Copyright Date:

2012

Description:

xx, 698 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.

Subject:

Fantasy games--History.
Computer games--History.
War games--History.
Games of strategy (Mathematics)--History.
Role playing--History.
Dungeons and Dragons (Game)--History.
History.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [633]-657) and index.

Summary:

Explore the conceptual origins of wargames and role-playing games in this unprecedented history of simulating the real and the impossible. From a vast survey of primary sources ranging from eighteenth-century strategists to modern hobbyists, Playing at the World distills the story of how gamers first decided fictional battles with boards and dice, and how they moved from simulating wars to simulating people. The invention of role-playing games serves as a touchstone for exploring the ways that the literary concept of character, the lure of fantastic adventure and the principles of gaming combined into the signature cultural innovation of the late twentieth century.

ISBN:

0615642047 (pbk.)
9780615642048 (pbk.)

OCLC:

(OCoLC)808727087

Locations:

BAPH771 -- Des Moines Public Library (Des Moines)

OIAX792 -- Grinnell College (Grinnell)

OVUX522 -- University of Iowa Libraries (Iowa City)