Designing Virtual Worlds

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1. mysterydipNov 2025
   "Designing Virtual Worlds" by Richard Bartle has a good mix of history and design from his perspective, IMHO.
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2. Cthulhu_Feb 2024
   There's a book called Designing Virtual Worlds from 2003 that might be interesting to you; since it's 2003 it predates World of Warcraft and some of the information is dated, but other elements are timeless. It was re-released under a Creative Commons license in 2021: https://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2021/08/richard-bartle-designing-v...

   And another recommendation if you're interested in worldbuilding is the Encyclopedia Eorzea books from the Final Fantasy XIV game, three of them; they contain the full backstories, timelines, summarised in-game stories, locations, characters, races, etc etc etc. However, it's written "in-universe", not so much from a developer's point of view.

   That said, you didn't specify which part of said games you would like to read about, I can imagine more information about the design and build would be interesting too, a look behind the scenes. The video game resources I mentioned get you there partway though.

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3. mysterydipFeb 2023
   Almost missed the footnote at the bottom, but his "Designing Virtual Worlds" book is available as a free PDF in the link there. I read it cover to cover previously and it had a profound effect on my designs going forward.
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4. dkerstenMay 2022
   There are many good books on game design. Here are a few that I own:

   The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, by Jesse Schell

   Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design, by Scott Rogers

   A Theory of Fun for Game Design, by Raph Koster

   Designing Games: A Guide to Engineering Experiences, by Tynan Sylvester

   Game Feel: A Game Designers Guide yo Virtual Sensation, by Steve Swink

   Designing Virtual Worlds, by Richard Bartle

   Here are a few more that I haven’t read and don’t own, so don’t know anything about them:

   Elements of Game Design, by Robert Zubek

   Advanced Game Design: A Systems Approach, by Michael Sellers

   Game Mechanics: Advanced Game Design, by Ernest Adams & Joris Dormans

   The Ultimate Guide to Video Game Writing and Design, by Flint Dille & John Zuur Platten

   I’m sure there are more. You have quite a few to choose from! If you plan on reading just one, I recommend the first one on my list.

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5. DiggyJohnsonJan 2022
   “Designing Virtual Worlds” by Richard A. Bartle.

   Awesome site by the author (a legend) where you can download the PDF: https://mud.co.uk/dvw/.

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6. mysterydipOct 2021
   I'd recommend Richard Bartle's "Designing Virtual Worlds" if you have any interest in the history and design of MMO's.
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