Swords Circuitry: A Designer's Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games (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.

Neal Hallford has been a professional game designer for more than 13 years and has led the development of several best-selling computer role-playing titles. He has co-authored the story behind the New York Times best-selling novel "Krondor: The Betrayal" and has created stories and designs for well known computer role-playing games, including "Betrayal at Krondor", "Planet's Edge", and "Dungeon Siege." He is currently leading the creation of "Lords of Everquest", a real-time strategy game based on the largest massively multiplayer role-playing game in the United States.