Paul Bellow

Paul Bellow is a LitRPG author, gamer, RPG game developer, and publisher of several online communities. In other words, an old school webmaster. He also developed and runs LitRPG Adventures, a set of advanced RPG generators powered by GPT-3 AI. Here at LitRPG Reads, he publishes articles about LitRPG books, tabletop RPG books, and all sorts of DND content that's free to use in your personal tabletop campaign - i.e. non-commercial use. Enjoy your stay and reach out on Twitter or Discord if you want to make contact.

More on Pathfinder RPG in 2017

We’ve already done one post on Pathfinder RPG recently, but we left out some information about where this game system is headed in the future.

With that in mind, we’ve put together another blog about Pathfinder Online and Pathfinder: Kingmaker CRPG. We think you’re going to be as excited as we are about this news.

Be sure to read our post on the History of Pathfinder RPG to learn more if you’re new to this classic gaming system that’s been around a while now.

Even if you’ve never played Pathfinder RPG before, we think you’re going to enjoy the new information on Pathfinder Online and Pathfinder: Kingmaker CRPG

Wargaming for Wargamers

Would you like to play a game? The original War Games movie was scary (yet great), but this article is about the history of wargaming throughout the years. We go all the way back to 1911. Shall we begin?

War can be a fascinating topic. When you step away from the gore and the tremendous loss of life, you get a fairly clear picture of two sides working at odds with one another. Armchair generals the world over can grasp the concepts involved even if they’ve never set foot on a battlefield.

It’s no wonder, then, that wars have become a major part of gaming. Wargaming is one of the most perennially active fields in the gaming world, with games ranging from the simple to the fiendishly complex. These games test the intellect and cunning of anyone who sits down to play.

Epic RPG Zombie Survival Games

Zombies have been very much en vogue since the late 2000s. There’s something about the threat of an undead apocalypse that just grabs the imagination. It’s not just the hordes that interest people, but the act of survival. If the zombies came, people simple want to know if they would be able to survive.

Considering that an outbreak of undeath isn’t likely to happen, the next best way to test one’s skill is with games. There have been several games dedicated to zombies, from the realistic simulators to the utterly fantastical. Zombies have become a vital part of the gaming world.

Who is Doctor Who?

Doctor Who is one of the longest-lasting science fiction shows in history. Despite a lengthy hiatus, it has managed to engage viewers across the decades. It has a relatively simple concept, yet has accredited a huge universe around what had originally been an educational show for children that wasn’t meant to last more than a few seasons.

Doctor Who has a massive following in both its native Britain and around the world, with dedicated Whovians spreading their love of the show even when it has been off the air. Currently well past its 50th anniversary, Doctor Who is preparing to transition to a fourteenth official doctor. Much of what made the show so impressive, though, surrounded the first eleven doctors.

RPG Legends: Dragonlance

Memorable Dragonlance Characters

The early era of Dungeons and Dragons didn’t quite have the unified backstory of today’s games. While the mechanics were all in place, there wasn’t a true world in which … Read more

Overview of the Civilization Game Series

Civilization is one of the fundamental games of the PC gaming experience. It’s a game that most players are familiar with, even if they’ve never really sat down to play a game. It’s the game that seems to have seeped into the consciousness of gamers of all stripes. You’d be hard pressed to find even a hardcore FPS fan who hasn’t at least seen a game of Civ in passing.

Civ is the formative game when it comes to the 4X genre and the turn-based strategy genre on the PC. While there have been many games that have sought to copy the formula, none have ever been quite as successful as Civ. Whether players were looking for history, strategy, or just the chance to play a game for years at a time, this series delivered. Seeing where it came from makes it easier to appreciate where Civ is going today.

The Bard’s Tale Universe (1985+)

Bard's Tale Video Game

There are certain games that helped to define how computer games would be perceived for decades to come. Some of these games are still in the spotlight, lauded on best-of lists and the subjects of remakes and documentaries.

Other games, however, don’t get quite the same amount of love. One game series that really did revolutionize video games is The Bard’s Tale, an early RPG series. While it shared space with games like Wizardry and Ultima, it never seems to be mentioned in the same breath.

The universe of the game is fantastically constructed, though, extending past video games and into the realm of novels. Let’s dig in, shall we?

Epic List of 10 D&D Video Games

Love D&D Video Games? So do we. Enjoy this deep dive into beloved Dungeons & Dragons adventures on the computer. Video games owe a huge debt to Dungeons and Dragons. … Read more

Free Sci-Fi MMORPG Games 2017

Massively Multiplayer RPGs may have started with fantasy settings, but the concept has always belonged to science fiction. After all, there are plenty of stories that essentially revolve around sci-fi MMOs, and it’s only natural that gamers would want to participate in those realities. These are the games that the genre was meant for, for better or for worse.

It’s strange, then, that so many of these games game and went quickly. Gamers just weren’t interested in paying for their sci-fi fix every month. Fortunately, going free to play helped save the genre. Below are some of the best free sci-fi MMOs of 2017. We also have yet another mention of our new LitRPG Forum, a retro place for all things geek and gaming.

What About RPG Racing Games?

Racing games and RPGs don’t always seem like they go together. They should, though.

Think about what you have to do to improve racing skills. You have to buy upgrades. You have to learn new skills. You have to master a very specific set of actions in order to move on. It’s all the same stuff you’d have to do in an RPG.

It’s no wonder, then, that there’s always been a thriving subset of racing games that embrace RPG elements. They might not be the games you played in the arcade as a kid, but you can find them on store shelves around the world.

These games played an important role in pushing forward the RPG genre. Players who have enjoyed these games have experienced not only an amazing past, but have a bright future ahead of them.

Free Fantasy MMORPG Games 2017

One of the major things that has stopped past players from embracing MMOs has been monthly fees. There’s something that just feels wrong about paying sixty dollars for a game and then having to pay a fee every month to keep playing. Fortunately, that model isn’t all that common in the MMO space any longer.

Today, subscriptions have largely been done away with in favor of microtransactions. Some of the best fantasy MMOs of 2017 no longer require a player to pay every month. Some of these games are totally free to play, while others require an initial purpose. No matter the case, though, players never have to pay a dime once they’ve installed the game.

Ready Player One Summary

ready player one movie

Read our quick Ready Player One Synopsis

There’s a certain intersection between video games and nostalgia. Many popular games build on the past to work towards a future – maybe not one that’s brighter, but possibly one that’s better. No novel has ever captured that intersection as well as Ernest Cline’s 2011 novel READY PLAYER ONE.

From the blurb:

In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS.

Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines—puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them.

But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

You can probably tell already why this novel was such a hit with geeks, especially those of a certain age. Let’s dig a little deeper into the Ready Player One phenomena.

When did D&D come out? Timeline of DnD Editions (History)

D&D Editions History Timeline

When did D&D come out? It started in 1974, but there’s so much more to the story… Dungeons & Dragons, a name synonymous with tabletop role-playing, has captured the hearts … Read more

What is a light novel? Some examples

light novel bookstore

light novel bookstore — By Jacklamf1d14

Every country comes up with its own unique spin on literature. Some of these forms seem to be purely artistic, mostly appreciated by academics. Others, though, are far more commercial.

One such art form is the light novel, which is incredibly popular in Japan and is gaining in popularity across the rest of the world. While not necessarily high literature, they are eagerly consumed by young readers.

Understanding the appeal of light novels requires understanding not just what these novels are, but taking a look at some of the most popular light novels and light novel adaptations.

First Roguelike Game? History of Roguelikes

Where to begin? What is the first roguelike game? Let’s start with the beginning, the original game from whence the term roguelike came. Yes, I’m talking about Rogue, which you … Read more

Respect for Sword Art Online

sao-video-game

There are certain bits of media that transcend their origins. Some just speak to people, becoming more than popular – they become phenomena. Sword Art Online is one such property.

Sure, there are plenty of light novels out there that are similar. There might even be shows that have done the plot first. None, however, do it with the sense of style as SAO. None quite match the quality.

One thing that this property doesn’t get enough of, though, is respect. It takes something special for a property to span so many different formats. It takes something special for a property to capture so many imaginations.

SAO deserves more respect, so we’ve put together this massive post with everything you want to know about the legendary series…and more!

Rip Roaring History of Steve Jackson Games Car Wars

Car Wars Games

If you’re an RPG enthusiast, you’ve probably encountered the products of Steve Jackson Games. While you might be very familiar with GURPS, you’d have to be pretty old school to … Read more

History of the Talisman board game

There are certain board games that transcend the boundaries of Monopoly and Life. These games present an adventure, one that takes skill and cunning to get through. These are the … Read more

The Legend of Gord the Rogue

Gord the Rogue, you ask?

If you love the fiction of Dungeons and Dragons, there are a few names you probably know by heart.

Drizzt Do’urden. Artemis Entreri. Wulfgar.

If you’re an old-school fan, there are a number of others names that you might know by heart, like Elminster.

If you’ve been around since the beginning, though, you know that there’s one oft-forgotten name that deserves to live on in that pantheon. He’s forgotten by many, but he’s still important.

That name, of course, is Gord the Rogue.

Gord’s legend is fantastic, both on and off the page. He’s a great character, but he’s also a huge part of D&D’s early history. If you don’t already know him, get ready – he’s going to be a big part of your D&D education. Sit back while we reminisce about the immortal Gord the Rogue series.

Top Five RTS Games of All Time

warcraft 3

Real Time Strategy is one of the best game genres of all time. If you love planning out every small detail while invading an enemy’s base, it’s the best genre … Read more

What is Gamification? Some Examples.

It’s hard to get people engaged with something they don’t want to do. There are a ton of options out there, and most people will choose the pleasant choice every time.

That’s why marketing professionals are so very good at tricking people. When you take something people love – games – and add the most addictive qualities – the gameplay loop – to every day tasks, you get something special.

You get gamification.

Understanding this process means understanding both how and why it works. By the time you’re done, you’ll wonder why everything isn’t gamified.

The History of Pathfinder RPG

Pathfinder is unique among role playing games not because of its systems, but because of its history. This isn’t a game that started with a developer’s dream or a unique … Read more

Best Anime RPG Forum Online?

Anime role playing boards are so old that they’re almost a throwback at this point. As long as there has been an internet to speak of, these boards have existed.

Now, the problem isn’t finding one of these boards. It’s finding a board that’s still alive and that is worth your time. Instead of digging through all the detritus out there, you can start with the cream of the crop.

Each of these boards has something to offer players. Each one has a unique flavor, and each can provide a unique home for certain gamers. Below are three of the best boards for anime RPG players.

What the Heck is the LitRPG Forum?

Helm of Theft Immunity

And why do they keep going on and on about pick-pockets and torches? Good question! To continue our efforts to help the LitRPG community at large (including authors and readers), we’ve launched the brand-spanking-new LitRPG Forum. Go check it out if you haven’t had a chance yet.