Gaming/RPG Fiction Should Make A Comeback

[Reynard]

In the 1990s, many RPGs had strong fiction lines, from Forogtten Realms to Shadowrun to World of Darkness and beyond. These days it looks like the only line to really have a strong fiction presence is Warhammer (mostly 40K).

I wish game tie in fiction would have a second renaissance along with TTRPGs. There are so many cool worlds in the TTRPG space and I feel like many would make good settings for fiction. Plus, a lot of young and hungry authors get their start in tie in fiction.

What game tie-in fiction did you like "back in the day"? What modern games would make a good basis for new tie-in fiction?

This is cheating a little bit, but I would like a series of Fallout novels. Also, I'd love for Star*Drive to make a come back both in TTRPGs and tie-in fiction.

 

[payn]

Kinda coming at this sideways, but I want old school Battletech novels. Im an old player and love the old setting stuff (succession wars), not so much the newer stuff (Ilclan). Doesnt seem like they are going back 300+ years anytime soon. Though, happy to report they do still put out BT fiction and it has its fans.

 

[MGibster]

I may have read a Shadowrun book, but as far as game fiction goes it was pretty much just Ravenloft novels. A few years back I reread I, Strahd by P.N. Elrod and it held up fairly well.

 

[Bomberooski]

In the 1990s, many RPGs had strong fiction lines, from Forogtten Realms to Shadowrun to World of Darkness and beyond. These days it looks like the only line to really have a strong fiction presence is Warhammer (mostly 40K).

I wish game tie in fiction would have a second renaissance along with TTRPGs. There are so many cool worlds in the TTRPG space and I feel like many would make good settings for fiction. Plus, a lot of young and hungry authors get their start in tie in fiction.

What game tie-in fiction did you like "back in the day"? What modern games would make a good basis for new tie-in fiction?

This is cheating a little bit, but I would like a series of Fallout novels. Also, I'd love for Star*Drive to make a come back both in TTRPGs and tie-in fiction.

Currently reading through the Drizzt series. Actually really liking it.

Just yesterday though I got a bunch of recommendations for the Battletech fiction books. Excited to dive into those ones.

 

[payn]

Just yesterday though I got a bunch of recommendations for the Battletech fiction books. Excited to dive into those ones.

Ohhh, the Warrior Trilogy perhaps?

 

[TwoSix]

It would be cool if George R.R. Martin wrote an Elden Ring novel.

Of course, it would also be cool if George R.R. Martin wrote.

 

[RangerWickett]

Kinda coming at this sideways, but I want old school Battletech novels. Im an old player and love the old setting stuff (succession wars), not so much the newer stuff (Ilclan). Doesnt seem like they are going back 300+ years anytime soon. Though, happy to report they do still put out BT fiction and it has its fans.

I just got the latest BT novel Voidbreaker, and I gave up a hundred pages in. It just wasn't grabbing me. The main character had no personality. She was just a vessel for plot. And that plot was plodding. Too much pondering and planning, which could work if it was balanced with character interactions, but the MC is basically in charge of a unit and no one questions her.

I'm dreading a bit going back and rereading some of the old Stackpole novels I loved in my teens. Were they this flat too?

 

[payn]

I just got the latest BT novel Voidbreaker, and I gave up a hundred pages in. It just wasn't grabbing me. The main character had no personality. She was just a vessel for plot. And that plot was plodding. Too much pondering and planning, which could work if it was balanced with character interactions, but the MC is basically in charge of a unit and no one questions her.

I'm dreading a bit going back and rereading some of the old Stackpole novels I loved in my teens. Were they this flat too?

Stackpole did a good job with the political intrigue and plots, but his characterizations are not great. His dialogue, and particularly romance, is dreadful. Im reading Blood of Kerensky trilogy right now and I liked Warrior much better. Though, I kind of assume its par for the course with genre IP specific fiction.

 

[Scribe]

I was a big fan of the old BT novels, I think it was post Smoke Jaguar death that it all went off the rails for me, but thats decades ago I think.

Big agree, I would love more gaming fiction.

 

[thullgrim]

Catalyst still regularly publishes both Battletech and Shadowrun fiction. Typically digitally.