Talk:Chronology of computer role-playing games

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This section was formatted and moved from the computer role-playing games section for length reasons. If possible from any fellow users, add short comments next to games explaining why they are famous, well-regarded, or influential. I already expanded on some of this before the creation of the new page. -- Solberg 02:00, 14 July 2006 (UTC)Solberg

Contents

[edit] Edu-Ware's Space

Space (computer game) was removed from the chronology for not being notable. I would argue that it was, for several reasons. First, it was one of the first (if not the first) role-playing games to appear on personal computers (1979). Second, it was one of the few science-fiction based CRPG's. Third, its publication lead to a lawsuit by Game Designer's Workshop for copyright infringement. The problem behind its removal seems to be the lack of information on the internet about it, but that's the case with pre-1980 games and a reason why effort should be made to preserve whatever information we have about them before it is lost forever. Applegamer 20:47, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Can't name it!

I'll be sure to remove this later.. but the name of this game has been haunting me for years! Please write here or edit my page with the answer. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgcLnEuo7Dlf5XGSxZX8U1rsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080408144131AAT3LEk

[edit] MMORPGs

I think that MMORPGs should be removed from this list and moved to their own article. SharkD 03:50, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Merger proposal

I suggest that this page be merged with list of computer role-playing games, as there now exists a table on that page that can be sorted chronologically, thereby eliminating the need for this article. SharkD 05:21, 22 October 2007 (UTC)

Sounds good to me. You should also merge the pieces of this page (that are cited or you can find citations for) with the History of CRPGs page, since there are a lot of useful notes regarding the historical development of CRPGs. -- Solberg (talk) 20:07, 23 December 2007 (UTC)Solberg
Nevermind, you can directly merge the notes regarding the CRPGs. I didn't realize that the tables had a "notes" section already. -- Solberg (talk) 20:16, 23 December 2007 (UTC)Solberg
Well, I completed the merger. How does it look? SharkD (talk) 20:26, 24 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Questionable additions

I've noticed several games which I believe are questionable additions to this list. I'll list them here:

SharkD 03:42, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

There were role-playing aspects to this game series, as both involved the player characters' involvement within a larger storyline. Though there was a great deal of exploration, resource hunting, and trading, both were more than just exercises in grinding. Both compare favorably to Star Control on these terms. D. Brodale 04:15, 23 October 2007 (UTC)
To clarify my above remarks (as I see the list is being edited in place), I'm referring to the Starflight series of games. D. Brodale 04:18, 23 October 2007 (UTC)
Most sites I've been to list Starflight and Freedom Force as an RPG. You might have a point about Space Rangers 2 and Jagged Alliance, which are usually labeled as Strategy, at least on the places I've been to. Perhaps you could look up what the developers of these corresponding games labeled their products and then respect their categorizations. -- Solberg (talk) 20:11, 23 December 2007 (UTC)Solberg
Space Rangers is the one I'd most likely want to keep on the list. You only control one ship, so I'm not sure how much of a strategy game it is. Freedom Force was pitched by its developers as a tactical RPG[1][2]. The focus is on party-based combat; the game is made up of a series of linear missions (it's not a sandbox game); there are no non-combat solutions (i.e., you can't talk your way out of it). SharkD (talk) 04:41, 24 December 2007 (UTC)
Fair enough, Freedom Force is a tactical RPG then. Space Rangers 2 though IIRC is classified as a strategy game by the developers. I assume you've played the game, if you look at the box, I'm pretty sure on one of the sides it is labeled as such. I personally think it's pretty much an RPG with a heavy trading sim component and text adventure, FPS, RTS, SHMUPs, whatever minigames but the developers apparently think otherwise. -- Solberg (talk) 05:31, 24 December 2007 (UTC)Solberg
Well, the box says "Action & Strategy". The game is turn-based, so I'm not sure where all the action can be found. SharkD (talk) 19:38, 24 December 2007 (UTC)
Woops. Forgot about the RTS portions. That would qualify as "Action". SharkD (talk) 19:45, 24 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Clean-Up Proposal

IMO, there are WAY too many titles that were added in here just for the sake of being in there when they do not represent any important or even minimally noteworthy innovations, adaptation, or any such achievements. I think these titles should be either:

a) removed altogether. For example, there are countless Diablo clones, and while some are noteworthy, if we list all of them this list would explode. A complete list of lesser clones are probably better off placed in the wikipage of the original game.

b) condenced. Expansions, modifications, modules, etc. should just be in the same line as the original game. Expansions should be in the name section, and mods should be in the description.

If this list is cleaned up enough, maybe tactical RPGS can be put back here for a more complete overview of CRPG's broad influences (granted that new such additions would follow the same limitations). Tag aye or nay to this idea. State reasons if necessary (keep in mind to keep things short). Ssh83 (talk) 19:42, 18 January 2008 (UTC)SSH83

This would necessitate repurposing the list, as the stated definition of it is: "This is a comprehensive index of commercial computer role-playing games (CRPGs), sorted chronologically." D. Brodale (talk) 20:14, 18 January 2008 (UTC)
I agree that your comments are would be applicable to a "History of role-playing games" article, where only games that have made a contribution should be listed. However, this is a chronological list; therefore, all games should be listed. Much of this article's content was merged from List of computer role-playing games. SharkD (talk) 02:40, 19 January 2008 (UTC)