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• 1. Introduction: Theorizing the Modern Fantastic
• 2. The Posthuman in the Schismatrix Stories and Eclipse Phase
• 3. Dungeons and Dragons' Multiverse
• 4. Worlds of Darkness: From Gothic to Cosmic Horror
• 5. Lovecraft's (Cthulhu) Mythos
• 6. Warhammer 40,000: A Science Fantasy Epic
• 7. Beyond Borders with Mieville, Wolfe, and Numenera
• 8. Conclusion.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

Dread Trident examines the rise of imaginary worlds in tabletop role-playing games (TRPGs), such as Dungeons and Dragons. With the combination of analog and digital mechanisms, from traditional books to the internet, new ways of engaging the fantastic have become increasingly realized in recent years, and this book seeks an understanding of this phenomenon within the discourses of trans- and posthumanism, as well as within a gameist mode. The book explores a number of case studies of foundational TRPGs. Dungeons and Dragons provides an illustration of pulp-driven fantasy, particularly in the way it harmonizes its many campaign settings into a functional multiverse. It also acts as a supreme example of depth within its archive of official and unofficial published material, stretching back four decades. Warhammer 40k and the Worlds of Darkness present an interesting dialogue between Gothic and science-fantasy elements. The Mythos of HP Lovecraft also features prominently in the book as an example of a realized world that spans the literary and gameist modes. Realized fantasy worlds are becoming ever more popular as a way of experiencing a touch of the magical within modern life. Reworking Northrop Frye's definition of irony, Dread Trident theorizes an ironic understanding of this process and in particular of its embodied forms.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

This is an astonishing collection of ideas, information, and instruction from one of the true pioneers of Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games. MMOs from the Inside Out: The History, Design, Fun, and Art of Massively-Multiplayer Role-playing Games speaks to the designers and players of MMOs, taking it as axiomatic that such games are inspirational and boundless forces for good. The aim of this book is to enthuse an up-coming generation of designers, to inspire and educate players and designers-to-be, and to reinvigorate those already working in the field who might be wondering if it's still all worthwhile. Playing MMOs is about fun, immersion, and identity. Creating MMOs is about imagination, expression, and art. MMOs are so packed with potential that today's examples are little more than small, pioneering colonies on the shore of a vast, uncharted continent. What wonders wait beyond the horizon? What treasures will explorers bring back to amaze us? MMOs from the Inside Out is for people with a spark of creativity: it pours gasoline on that spark. It:* Explains what MMOs are, what they once were, and what they could - and should - become.* Delves into why players play, and why designers design.* Encourages, enthuses, enrages, engages, enlightens, envisions, and enchants.* Doesn't tell you what to think, it tells you to think. What You Will Learn:* Myriad ways to improve MMOs - and to decide for yourself whether these are improvements.* What MMOs are; who plays them, and why.* How MMOs became what they are, and what this means for what they will become.* That you have it in you to make MMOs yourself. Whom This Book is For:MMOs from the Inside Out is a book for those who wish to know more about game design in general and MMO design in particular. It's for people who play MMOs, for people who design MMOs, and for people who study MMOs. It's for people with a yearning to see beyond the world around them and to make manifest the worlds of their imagination.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)

• 1. Unreality: A Brief History of ARG
• 2. Beyond Reality: Approaching an ARG
• 3. Past Reality: An Annotated ARG, Part I
• 4. Past Reality: An Annotated ARG, Part II
• 5. Down the Rabbit Hole: Introducing Route 66
• 6. Route 66 ARG, Part II
• 7. Route 66 ARG, Part III (Conclusion)
• 8. A Post-ARG Analysis
• 9. Web Design for Puppetmasters, Part I
• 10. Web Design for Puppetmasters, Part II Appendix A Online ARG Resources.
• (source: Nielsen Book Data)

"Beyond Reality: A Guide to Alternate Reality Gaming" serves as a comprehensive introduction to this fascinating topic. It covers various aspects of alternate reality gaming, including its history and development of an ARG game (e.g. the "puppet master" role). It also introduces components of ARG games, explaining to inexperienced players how to play an ARG and covers devices (such as GPS devices, etc.). Readers will get tips regarding ARG strategies and will be able to play their own sample "game" that is contained within the pages of the book.
(source: Nielsen Book Data)