Customer Reviews

Role-Playing Mastery

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Role-playing mastery is a highly useful book, in that in Gygax's approach he deals not only in the more defining qualities of both the player and the G.M. but goes into depth on designing factors that need to be addressed in creating new r.p.g.'s and also takes a lateral view on the mechanics of already existing games. This is done in a very positive manner and he even gives reasons as to why he took the direction he did with AD&D..
If you want the viewpoint on the how to make or break an excellent nights gaming then take the advice Gygax has lined out in his book, he really knows what he's talking about.

You can't get much closer to the source material than this book. Gary Gygax explains, in great detail, his vision of roleplaying and how to do it. In this book, you'll get a glimpse of what his vision was:

- A roleplaying community coming together

- Strong GMs with a focus on story and a mastery of the rules (versus arguing for it)

- PCs working together for a common goal

And a lot of other fun, fun, fun details. Gary goes into detail on what these actually means. And let me tell you, it is a very different vision than what we have these days.

If you have a chance, please pick it up. It's well worth the read. If anything else, it is a piece of RPG history, and should be read as such by any serious gamer.

If you're reading this review, you know who Gary Gygax is. He is a man to equate with Albert Einstien, Da Vinci, and John Romero. Gygax is the inventor of role-playing. Dungeons & Dragons, his first RPG, still remains the best. In this book he discusses all aspects, not just D&D, but all RPGs in general. It will help you deal with problems not discussed in any guidebook, and expand your horizons as a GM. An impetus for imagination expansion and a vehicle for your campaign.

My overall impression of the book is that it's an okay read. It's not a bible, something to be slavishly followed, but it shouldn't be completely ignored. It does get long-winded at times, and it does get pretty preachy at the same time. It seems to be an advice paper from a guy who thinks that his way is better.

Does he have reason to think that? Well, yes and no. He was one of the original creators of Dungeons and Dragons, which while not the sum of RPGs is certainly the core of the genre. On the other hand, RPGs are unique in that there is no set way to play a single one. What works in one group may not work in another and he only makes a passing reference to the challenges a 'Master Player' may face.

While this does make some mention of other RPGs, this work is not inclusive of more than a tiny fraction available. In addition, given that it is written by Gygax himself, the game makes many references to the D&D he helped create. The book is very general for the most part and that limits the utility provided.

In short, the book could have been longer and included more depth, or it could have been pared down and done just as well. It is somewhat dated, but the main points are still generally valid.

Parts of the book are useful, but I really found nothing useful. At times, it struck me as though I was being talked down to, by someone who obviously considered himself far superior to me. I also take issue with the fact that Gygax takes most of the credit for creating D&D, giving Dave Arneson very little credit for his efforts, and his original D&D campaign, Blackmoor, which is still running today, using Arneson's original rules!

If you can locate a library copy, read it, and judge for yourself. I would not recommend purchasing a copy simply because it fails to deliver on what the title promises.