Swords & Circuitry: A Designer's Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games (Premier Press Game Development)

Never in the history of gaming have role-playing titles been more popular. PC DATA reports that leading role-playing titles, like "Diablo," have sold over one million units, and many others, like "Baldur's Gate," have sold over 500,000. Research by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, on behalf of the Interactive Digital Software Association, states that 145 million Americans regularly play video games. This book will allow this audience to decipher the arcane mysteries behind game development tools like plot trees, world bibles, design documents, and game scripts. Readers will also receive sage advice from game gurus like John Cutter (Betrayal at Kondor), Jon Van Caneghem (Might & Magic), Chris Taylor (Dungeon Siege), Sarah Stocker (Pools of Radiance), Carly Staehlin (Ultima Online), and more.