It's not often mentioned, but I feel it must be at least once: LitRPG has seen so many first time authors debut under 1,000 on Amazon that it's unreal. Right now, you could search "LitRPG" on Amazon and I can guarantee you that at least 5 books released since November 1st are somewhere between #100 and #2,000 on Amazon charts. My question, then, is simple: why? What on Earth is so attractive about LitRPG that drives so many readers to it? It can't just be a small pool buying these books like you see in certain romance niches; some of these books have been sub-10,000 since their publication months or even years ago. Is it a cross section of sci-fi and fantasy readers on top of the litRPG base? Is it the result of let's play fans becoming book readers? Part of me just doesn't get it. I adore the video game mechanics interfused with literature, but there must be something I'm missing. Something that explains why others would too.
Supply / Demand... It'll even out over the next 6 to 12 months, I imagine. As for why it's popular ... I think it's a lot of reasons. RPO was all about the 80s - nostalgia. Some LitRPG also give that nostalgia vibe. I had a lot of comments about Tower of Gates reminding people of EverQuest / World of Warcraft / MUDs, etc. I really think it's going to keep growing - especially once Jumanji and RPO movies hit the theaters.
I've been saying that we're likely in the days preceding a gold rush, and that the Ready Player One movie as well as Jumanji 2 will be what kicks it off. Right now, we definitely are still in that early period. Most litRPGs are based off those classic MMOs, but sooner or later, we're going to see popular stories that take up after other video game genres and video game titles. That's one reason why I asked if litRPG was strictly for RPGs and if we'd see new terms for other genres as time went on all those weeks ago.
Yeah, I can't wait to get to my LitRTS. I've been thinking/planning that one for a while now. Good times.
Yeah I can't wait for that as well, I was planning one myself. Too much research though as I want to be Historically accurate. Yes, Paul, I'm a History geek amongst many things and I live on an island full of beautiful girls and have a hot girlfriend. Go figure! Who knows you'll be the father of this particular brand
These are indeed fun times for us. Heck, I did an FPS in the form of a book lol. Had a few friends read it and they loved it. One said finding a secret in my book reminds him of the tune that plays in The Legend of Zelda when you find a major item. I plan on many FPS shooters as well. In fact, planning the next one now. Finally, video game reads are becoming acceptant in the literary world.
Have you never played civ? While not technically RTS, it has good elements. Rise of Nations is good too for tech-trees throughout the ages. No desire to be the father of LitRTS. Someone has a roguelike dropping before mine too. It's all good. #TeamReaders I love your enthusiasm, man. Keep it up. You'll own your own island someday.
Old history (even what little we know prehistoric-wise) is fun for me too. Like that dude killed by an arrow and frozen in the ice in (Siberia??) Ever watch the HBO miniseries Rome? That was fun. So many documentaries and books over the years. I remember reading this set of encyclopedias we had when I was a child. Ah, the memories...
I kind of wonder that myself. Why LitRPG is taking off so much. I'm not complaining, but I'm curious. I can definitely say what about it appeals to me. I like the idea of being inside the video game. Heck, back when I was a kid, I did want to jump into Legend of Zelda and all those old games. I also really enjoy the RPG style games, both single and MMO, so having that mixed with "living, not just playing" the game is really appealing to me.
No, I never watched Rome, but I have played Civ, Age of Empires 1-3 BTW, Rise of Nations (I own all these games), even some of the oddballs such as Cossacks, Alexander(Based on the Movie), Total War series, and even city building games such as Caesar, Zeus, Glory of Rome, and Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom. So I'm good at history, just not Bronze Age history such as the Assyrian or Hitties.
So many people are going to become addicted once VR really takes off - another 5 to 10 years? Things are speeding up even more when it comes to technology. Quantum computers will be a huge game-changer. But yeah...I remember those feels and hope to get that out in my books...
There was an article in the Slate recently about VR addiction, though it wasn't really in depth. It did mention scientists had made a VR rig for rats, which I found very amusing for some reason . . . time to write the first Secret of NIMH LitRPG I reckon!
I got curious and looked up the experiment: https://www.wired.com/2013/05/virtual-reality-spatial-sense/ Interesting stuff about how the rat's brain works differently in VR than reality.
