RPG Review Cooperative, Inc.

December 17, high noon, Dili, East Timor

Abstract

The classic fantasy text of the twentieth century, the Lord of the Rings, suffers from notable literary flaws. The current portrayal of the first book of the trilogy by Peter Jackson, ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’, is a substantial improvement that manages to overcome Tolkien’s own biases and intellectual failings, yet also makes additional use of Tolkien’s heretical Catholicism.

Competing Claims to the Lord of the Rings

Abstract

The classic fantasy text of the twentieth century, the Lord of the Rings, suffers from notable literary flaws. The current portrayal of the first book of the trilogy by Peter Jackson, ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’, is a substantial improvement that manages to overcome Tolkien’s own biases and intellectual failings, yet also makes additional use of Tolkien’s heretical Catholicism.

Published in Mimesis Issue 2 (online), June 1998

Abstract

The formulation of moral alignments is as varied in roleplaying games as it is in behavioural psychology and the philosophy of ethics. Both universal and context bound models require assessment on quantitative and qualitative scales. Comparative evaluations through social simulation models, such as role playing games, may allow for a consistent synthesis of existing approaches.

Published in Mimesis #2 (online), June 1998

by Lev Lafayette

The following is by no means a fully fledged article for the use of developmental psychology in roleplaying games however it should point to specific issues that effect psychological development that should be catered for in role playing and simulation games (most of which are not).

Published in Mimesis, Issue 1, 1996

Published in Green Left Weekly, Issue 85, 1993, p24

On November 20, Superman, the fictional character who represented “Truth, Justice and the American Way” for more than 50 years, suffered a violent death at the hands of a character known as Doomsday. If you bought an issue and stuck it in a plastic bag with a cardstock backing, it might be worth something in 20 years.