The History of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and the Rise of Japanese RPGs in the West
As a kid in the ’90s, I fought goblins and demons. Raised rebellions, traveled through time, and rode a whale into space. I became the Dragonmaster and the Hero of Light. Didn’t we all?
“Aidan Moher has literally written the book on Japanese role-playing games.” – ComicBook.com
Press start and discover the fascinating history of JRPGs.
The Japanese roleplaying game is a special genre that includes some of the most creative, influential, and beloved video games and series of all time. In Fight, Magic, Items, Aidan Moher guides you through the origin and evolution of the genre, beginning with the two games that started it all: Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Moher weaves in firsthand interviews and behind-the-scenes tales into a unique and entertaining tribute to a genre and games that inspired an industry and continues to capture the imagination of generations of fans including:
On sale: October 4th, 2022
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Running Press
ISBN-13: 9780762479641
Genre: Video Games / Popular Culture / History
Cover Artist: Sara Alfageeh
Fight, Magic, Items belongs on any bookshelf dedicated to the history of video games.
“A work that will resonate with many of us who grew up with the genre and watched its rise as we ourselves grew into adulthood.”
The author’s voice and experiences provide a relatable perspective to a genre entrenched in fantasy, and reminds the reader that every single game is the product of human labor and imagination.
[Moher] combines a gift for compelling storytelling with an encyclopedic knowledge of the topic and an obvious and very genuine love of the genre.
It’s a love letter, a personal history, and a focused dive into the history of JRPGs all in one and it’s a hell of a book.
A work that touches on technological change, pop culture trends, cross-cultural differences, and new frontiers in narrative, genre, and entertainment.
Fight, Magic, Items: The History of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and the Rise of Japanese RPGs in the West is available at your favourite local bookstore and the online stores below:
Aidan Moher (he/him) is a Hugo award-winning writer and editor who has written about almost every niche facet of geek culture you can think of from Terry Brooks to Dungeons & Dragons. And whether he’s penning wildly read essays on Lunar: Silver Star Story, the undeniable lasting power of Chrono Trigger (the best RPG ever made), or the forgotten history of Magic: the Gathering, he manages to infuse deep, personal, endearing hooks into every story he tells. He’s written for outlets like Wired, Kotaku, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Uncanny Magazine, Fanbyte, Tor.com, and more.
Fight, Magic, Items: The History of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and the Rise of Japanese RPGs in the West is published by Running Press.
For business-related queries, please contact Eric Smith of P.S. Literary Agency. For all other queries, you can reach Aidan via his website.
