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
About The Book
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:
- Chrono Trigger,
- Phantasy Star,
- Earthbound,
- Pokémon,
- Kingdom Hearts,
- NieR,
- Fire Emblem,
- Persona,
- Tales of…,
- Suikoden,
- Lunar,
- and more.
Details
On sale: October 4th, 2022
Length: 320 Pages
Publisher: Running Press
ISBN-13: 9780762479641
Genre: Video Games / Popular Culture / History
Cover Artist: Sara Alfageeh
What They’re Saying
If you’re remotely interested in video game history, or enjoy JRPGs, [Moher]’s book is comforting like a warm blanket and hot chocolate next to a fireplace.
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 will resonate with many of us who grew up with the genre and watched its rise as we ourselves grew into adulthood.”
A fun, fascinating exploration of the medium’s most magical genre.
Aidan Moher has literally written the book on Japanese role-playing games.
Fight, Magic, Items is the intricate deep dive that the JRPG genre deserves.
Purchase
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:
About the Author
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.
Featured Work
- Timeless: A History of Chrono Trigger (Insert Cartridge)
- 19 of the Best JRPGs You Can Play on Modern Consoles (Lifehacker)
- Your Grandma’s Tube TV Is the Hottest Gaming Tech (Wired)
- Why Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete Remains One of the Best JRPGs Ever (Electronic Gaming Monthly)
- How Japanese RPGs Inspired A New Generation Of Fantasy Authors (Kotaku)
- Move Over, Oprah. Video Game Book Clubs Have Arrived (Wired)
- Pick a Pile: SNES Vs. PlayStation JRPGs (Insert Cartridge)
- Was Trials of Mana Worth Growing Up For? (Uncanny Magazine)
Press
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.
Press Kit
- Edelweiss
- NetGalley
- Amazon Preview
- Author Website
- Author Newsletter
- Official Press Release
[.docx] - Download High Resolution Cover Art
[1733 × 2600, 300dpi, .jpg] - Download High Resolution Author Photo
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Featured On
- Engadget
- ComicBook.com
- CBC Books
- io9
- Nerdist
- Gizmodo: “15 Excellent Nerdy Nonfiction Books” / “October’s Scary Big Pile of New Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Books”
- The Video Game Library
- Video Game Canon
- Transfer Orbit
- Quill & Quire
- Review: Nerds of a Feather
- Capital Daily
- Stone Soup’s “Featured New Release”
- YouTube: Petrik Leo
- them
- Review: MANIAC.de (German)
- Review: The Geekly Grind
- Review: RPGFan
- Review: Press Start podcast
- Smart Bitches Trashy Books
Appearances
- Podcast: Retrograde Amnesia / YouTube
- Podcast: RPGFan: Random Encounter
- Podcast: Everybody’s Talking At Once
- Podcast: Tales from the Trunk / YouTube
- Interview: Cutscene University
- Guest Post: John Scalzi’s “The Big Idea”
- Podcast: The Thirsty Mage
- Podcast: Hardcore Gaming 101
- Podcast: Memory Card
- Podcast: Sharlayan Dropouts
- Interview: Retro XP Part One / Part Two
- Podcast: Still Loading
- Podcast: Axe of the Blood God (Patreon Exclusive)
- Podcast: Super Gamer Podcast
- Podcast: RPGaymer