ABSTRACT
When pondering the origins and inspirations of computer role-playing games (CRPGs), most writers begin with Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson's Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. There's no doubt that D&D played a vital role in the development of the first CRPG. Richard Garriott, creator of Akalabeth and Ultima, is a dedicated fan of the game. In a typical game of D&D, players go on an adventure, or story-based quest, either designed by the Dungeon Master or derived from a published module. Between 1977 and 1979, Tactical Studies Rules published Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, a better-organized and expanded version of the original that many consider less a sequel than an entirely new game. D&D itself has adapted its rules in modern editions to allow players to either roll their characters randomly with dice or use a point-based buy system.
