Designing Virtual Worlds
2003 book by Richard Bartle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Designing Virtual Worlds is a book about the practice of virtual world development by Richard Bartle. It has been noted as an authoritative source regarding the history of world-based online games.[1] College courses have been taught using it.[2][3][4][5]
| |
| Author | Richard Bartle |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | New Riders |
Publication date | 2003 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 741 |
| ISBN | 0-13-101816-7 |
In 2021, the author made the book freely available under a Creative Commons license on his website.[6]
Contents
Designing Virtual Worlds argues that the fundamentals of player relationships to the virtual world and each other are independent of technical issues and are characterized by a blending of online and offline identity.[7] According to the book, it is the designer's role to know what will provide players with a positive game experience,[8] the purpose of virtual worlds is the player's exploration of self,[9] as well as for its expansion of the earlier 4-type Bartle gamer style taxonomy into an 8-type model.[10] The book also focuses on the practicalities of its subject.[11]
Reception
It has been called "the bible of MMORPG design"[12] and spoken of as "excellent",[13] "seminal",[14] "widely read",[15] "the standard text on the subject",[16] "the most comprehensive guide to gaming virtual worlds"[17] and "a foundation text for researchers and developers of virtual worlds"[18] that is "strongly recommended for anyone actually thinking about building one of these places"[19] and "describes the minimum level of competency you should have when discussing design issues for virtual worlds".[20]
A more critical view from Dave Rickey of Skotos.net called it a "must-read" work, but that he found "much that was questionable, incomplete, or just erroneous".[21]