The CRPG Book Project is a significant collaborative, non-profit initiative that has produced a free, expansive ebook dedicated to the history of computer role-playing games. This extensive guide, available as a free digital download, serves as a valuable resource for enthusiasts, covering a wide chronological and geographical scope of the genre. The project is the result of years of volunteer work, offering a detailed compilation of game reviews, historical articles, and developer insights without any cost to the reader.
The book is the result of an eight-year collaborative effort involving a large team of volunteers. According to the source material, the project involved 145 volunteers for the expanded edition, with another source noting 151 volunteers. This collaborative, non-profit approach is central to the project's mission, which is to create an accessible and educational volume on the history of computer role-playing games. The work is entirely free, a key feature that distinguishes it from many commercial publications.
The primary deliverable of the project is a free ebook. Multiple sources confirm this, describing it as a "FREE ebook" and a "free, easily available ebook." This means that UK consumers, deal seekers, and gaming enthusiasts can access this comprehensive guide without any financial outlay. The distribution is digital, with the book available for download from official project pages and archives. The lack of cost makes it an attractive freebie for those interested in the history and evolution of computer role-playing games.
The content of the book is both broad and deep. The expanded edition spans 680 pages and covers over 400 RPGs. It includes games from 1975 to 2019, with a specific focus on compiling a history that will appeal to both veteran players and newcomers. The book is not merely a list; it features reviews written by fans, developers, modders, journalists, and critics. Beyond game reviews, the book contains several articles, mod recommendations, developer quotes, and interesting trivia. The expanded edition specifically added new sections on MUDs, MMORPGs, and RPGs from Korea, China, and France, significantly broadening its scope beyond the typical Western-centric view of the genre.
The project has seen multiple iterations and updates. The initial version of the book covered games from 1975 to 2015. The expanded edition, which is the focus of the available sources, adds 152 extra pages, 56 new game reviews, several new articles, and revised content, bringing the total page count to 681. A later version, 3.1c, was released in February 2022, which focused on fixing errors, typos, and adding important games that were initially missed, such as Tunnels of Doom, Adventure Construction Set, SpellForce, and Boiling Point. This version also aimed to address overlooked historical scenes and events. The official project URL is provided as https://crpgbook.wordpress.com/.
The project maintains an online presence through a Steam group, which serves as a community hub. The Steam group for the CRPG Book Project was founded on 24 December 2017 and is listed with English as its primary language. It has 39 members and provides a space for discussions, events, and member interactions. This group allows for community engagement around the book's content and the broader topic of computer role-playing games.
For UK consumers and gaming enthusiasts, the CRPG Book Project represents a substantial free resource. It offers a deep dive into the history of a popular video game genre at no cost. The digital format ensures easy access, and the collaborative, non-profit nature of the project underscores its value as a community-driven endeavour. The availability of updated versions, such as the expanded edition and version 3.1c, demonstrates an ongoing commitment to accuracy and comprehensiveness.