In August Mongoose Publishing will release Designers & Dragons, a history of the role-playing game industry. Written by RPG.net’s Shannon Appelcline, Designers & Dragons recounts the history of almost 60 companies that have published role-playing games.  Its company-by-company structure allows readers to follow the history of the publisher of their favorite RPG.

 

Appelcline proceeds to follow the fortunes of the various RPG publishers and the key game designers. Role-playing games grew out of the wargaming industry, which itself was only born in the 1950s. The publication of Dungeons & Dragons in 1974 kickstarted the RPG industry, which subsequently been through several boom and bust cycles.

 

Although precise details about the size and price of Designers & Dragons are yet available, it will be a large hardcover volume. Look for details to become available in the coming months.