''The Fantasy Roleplaying Gamer's Bible'' is a book detailing fantasy role-playing games (RPGs), written by
Sean Patrick Fannon and published by Prima Publishing in 1996.
The book was
distributed Distribution may refer to:
Mathematics
*Distribution (mathematics), generalized functions used to formulate solutions of partial differential equations
*Probability distribution, the probability of a particular value or value range of a varia ...
only to chain
bookstore
Bookselling is the commercial trading of books, which is the retail and distribution end of the publishing process.
People who engage in bookselling are called booksellers, bookdealers, book people, bookmen, or bookwomen.
History
The found ...
s rather than
hobby shop
A hobby shop (or hobby store) sells recreational items for hobbyists.
Types Modelling
Classical hobby stores specialize in modelling and craft supplies and specialty magazines for model airplanes (military craft, private airplanes and airliners ...
s.
In 1998,
Palladium Books
Palladium Books is a publisher of role-playing games (RPGs) best known for its '' Rifts'' series (1990–present). Palladium was founded April 1981 in Detroit, Michigan, by current president and lead game designer Kevin Siembieda, and is now b ...
published an updated second edition that reorganized content and included an updated history of the genre.
Contents
In the 258-page ''The Fantasy Roleplaying Gamer's Bible'', Sean Patrick Fannon first gives an explanation of role-playing, and then a history of role-playing from its roots up to the time the book was written.
Fannon then lists many of the role-playing products published, as well as opinions about each game — his as well as those of other game critics.
Reception
In the June 1996 edition of ''
Dragon
A dragon is a Magic (supernatural), magical legendary creature that appears in the folklore of multiple cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but European dragon, dragons in Western cultures since the Hi ...
'' (Issue #230), John Bunnell stated that the book was "a wide-ranging and thoroughly cogent volume that provides more information and advice on gaming than any other single reference book published on the subject to date".
Bunnell liked Fannon's approach of writing the book for non-gamers, noting the inclusion of "extensive glossary supplements... The book is also liberally peppered with mini-essays."
Bunnell also liked Fannon's writing style, "deliberately amusing and self-referential, with a good deal of the humor at his own expense".
Bunnell did criticize Fannon's history of gaming, saying that Fannon's narrative focus after the birth of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' "narrows too much; he concentrates on game companies and design trends while giving only sparse attention to evolution on the players' side of the cash register."
Despite this Bunnel concluded that "There’s room left on the reference shelf for more detailed books on specific aspects of gaming, but as a general survey of the field, this volume can’t be matched."
In a review in the May/June 1996 issue of
Pyramid
A pyramid () is a structure whose visible surfaces are triangular in broad outline and converge toward the top, making the appearance roughly a pyramid in the geometric sense. The base of a pyramid can be of any polygon shape, such as trian ...
(issue 19), Jeff Koke states that the structure and casual tone of the book are helpful to newcomers to role-playing games.
In particular, he cites the content about how to organize gaming groups, schedule gaming sessions, find
game master
A gamemaster (GM; also known as game master, game manager, game moderator, referee, storyteller, or master of ceremonies) is a person who acts as a facilitator, organizer, officiant regarding rules, arbitrator, and moderator for a multiplayer r ...
s and players, where to obtain gaming books and accessories, and where to play as informative for new players.
He also stated that the discussion about means to dismiss "allegations of demon worship and black magic" was a sensible inclusion.
Reviews
*''
Games Unplugged
''Games Unplugged'' was an American magazine dedicated to the adventure tabletop game, tabletop gaming industry. The bimonthly magazine, headquartered in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, ran for 34 issues, from June 2000 until May 2004. The company also h ...
'' #1 (June/July, 2000)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fantasy Roleplaying Gamer's Bible
Books about role-playing games