The Golden Age of Gaming


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I'm reminded of the old saying: "The golden age of science fiction is twelve."

I think that applies here. The Golden Age of gaming is the time when you were most enthusiastic about it...whether that was when you first discovered it, or when you got the most enjoyment out of it.
 

In terms of quality products being produced, the last 4 or 5 years is a Golden Age. However, the early 80's would have to be considered the golden age in terms of popularity. Hard to disagree when you saw regular old advertisements on TV for the game and there was a Saturday morning cartoon based on the game. This was before there was any stigma attached to D&D, which of course started to change with BADD and "Mazes and Monsters" etc.
 


For me, the Golden Age of Gaming (which means mostly D&D) started in the mid-80s starting with the release of Dragonlance. The release of the Forgotten Realms, FR novels, the first D&D computer games, and 2nd Edition would have been the apex of that Golden Age --- The end of this age came in the 90s when Skills & Powers numerous campaign settings were being released (Birthright, Planescape, Dark Sun, etc.). The settings brought new options, fantastic ideas, cool races, cool worlds, etc. which paved the way to 3rd edition.

Right now, I think we're living in the Silver Age (or 2nd Golden Age for those who don't like silver)! This age burst on the scene with 3rd edition, d20 and OGL which has led to innumerable products, numerable campaign settings, ideas, ideas, ideas and generally lots and lots of gaming goodness for just about everyone out there. As a gamer, you couldn't really expect much more. I think we've slipped past the apex of this age, but I would not say it is over. There is the Eberron MMORPG coming up next year. Monte continues to wow fans with each and every new release.

What might herald in a new age? I think it would have to be something that takes gaming to the next level (whatever that is). 4th Edition, I would guess... Maybe 3.75 but that probably wouldn't have the umph to get a new age going.
 


Well to me it feels as the Golden Age is now.
Now is the time period where I can actually get gaming stuff without driving hours to find a store.
Now is the time when I actually have more than one game going and I am not the DM of all of them.
Now is the time when I can read, converse and share ideas and gaming fun with others people who do not live in the same town or even state as I do.
With D20 I now have tons of stuff to choose from to help me game the way I want to.
Do I miss the overnight and all weekend long gaming sessions of yore? Of course.
But I am having the best gaming time now that I ever did.
 


Bullgrit said:
So what does "Golden Age" mean in this context?

Bullgrit

To some people here it seems to mean "I, a gamer, am experiencing Golden Age in Gaming." For others, it seems to mean "The industry, the designers & companies, is experiencing a Golden Age." And for others, it seems to mean "The collective community, as in all us gamers everywhere, is experiencing a Golden Age."

I think this thread's intent was about the collective community experiencing a Golden Age.

- Ed
 

To some people here it seems to mean "I, a gamer, am experiencing Golden Age in Gaming." For others, it seems to mean "The industry, the designers & companies, is experiencing a Golden Age." And for others, it seems to mean "The collective community, as in all us gamers everywhere, is experiencing a Golden Age."

I think this thread's intent was about the collective community experiencing a Golden Age.
OK. So, um, what does "Golden Age" mean in this context?

Bullgrit
 

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