Ian Livingstone, the co-founder of Games Workshop, the renowned UK game company behind Warhammer 40,000, has released a new book titled “Dice Men: The Origin Story of Games Workshop.” In this book, Livingstone shares the company’s humble beginnings and the challenges they faced along the way. Although it is not a typical business book, Livingstone refers to it as a personal memoir that chronicles their early journey and the numerous times they almost failed.
One of Livingstone’s major successes was the creation of the Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, which revolutionized the gaming industry. These gamebooks, starting with “The Warlock of Firetop Mountain” in 1982 (co-written with Steve Jackson), combined branching storylines with dice-based combat. Renowned for their difficulty, Livingstone admits that he enjoys luring readers to their death by offering them the promise of great riches, only to lead them to their demise on poisonous spikes or in deep pits. By including plenty of red herring choices, Livingstone ensured that players would encounter unexpected twists and turns, making every decision crucial.
During the 1980s, the Fighting Fantasy series faced criticism due to its dark imagery. However, the books are now regarded as a significant precursor to the grimdark movement in literature and gaming. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the designer of Dark Souls, credits Fighting Fantasy with inspiring him to become a game designer when he was a child. Other successful individuals in TV production, writing, and art also credit Fighting Fantasy for shaping their imaginations and careers. The impact of the series on people’s young minds has been profound.
After a period of sporadic releases, the Fighting Fantasy series is experiencing a major resurgence. Recent years have seen the release of several new books and mobile apps, with upcoming projects including an art book, a board game, and a cooperative card game. The continued interest in the brand after 40 years is a testament to its enduring relevance and popularity among fans.
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Livingstone’s fascinating journey is further explored in a podcast interview with him on the Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy. In this interview, Livingstone talks about his travel experiences, such as meeting Gary Gygax at Gen Con in 1976 and taking a holiday side trip to places like the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. His road trip ultimately led him to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
The podcast interview also delves into Livingstone’s personal favorite monster from the Fighting Fantasy series, the Bloodbeast. Livingstone describes it as a fearsome creature that resides in a pool of acidic gunge, with a long barbed poisonous tail and a tongue that ensnares and drags victims into the acid pool where they dissolve. However, there is a weak spot on the beast’s face, and finding it with a knife will instantly kill it. The Bloodbeast has become beloved by fans for its challenging nature, and Livingstone counts it as one of his favorite monsters.
Livingstone also shares his writing process for creating the intricate gamebooks. He starts with a basic story arc, protagonists, and monster ideas. Then, as he writes, he allocates numbers to the different story paths, creating a flowchart and making notes of encounter points and items. He carefully ensures that there are no dead ends and that the difficulty level remains balanced. Additionally, he incorporates elements where players have to backtrack or revisit certain areas to solve puzzles or use items they have acquired.
Furthermore, Livingstone advocates for the educational benefits of video games and gamebooks. He refutes the common misconception that these forms of interactive entertainment are trivial or harmful. Instead, he emphasizes that they promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and literacy. Video games and books like Fighting Fantasy offer an immersive and engaging platform for learning, a fact that is often overlooked by mainstream media.
In conclusion, Ian Livingstone’s new book “Dice Men: The Origin Story of Games Workshop” provides an inside look into the early years of Games Workshop and the creation of the iconic Fighting Fantasy gamebooks. This personal memoir highlights the challenges and triumphs of the company, while also shedding light on the influential role Fighting Fantasy has played in inspiring future game designers, writers, artists, and other creative individuals. With the Fighting Fantasy series experiencing a resurgence, it is clear that Livingstone’s legacy continues to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the gaming industry.
