I often get inquiries (just got two) about Shades and Roma being used in the class room as teaching aids for history. I immediately advise against it and in the discussion that entails I run up against a lack of recommendations. Usually I will site some GURPS games but I am not sure of their historical veracity (I do not own them, not a judgment of quality). I also point out some of Flying Mice's games if the period is appropriate.

So, are there any recommendations that I can forward on to these teachers?

Please, make the suggestions for rpgs that are still available to an extent either online (pdf, publisher web site) or via distribution (FLGS). So, the rare Book O' History RPG printed in 1979 and selling off e-bay for $500 is right out.


Thanks,
Bill

TSR published some historical books, and I think Pundit has the Roman one. Are they any good?

There was a series of historical books from TSR early in the 2E era, I don't know how historically accurate they are. Avalanche Press also has a historical series, but I would probably skip them since the covers would probably get you fired.

TSR
HR1 (9322) Vikings Campaign Sourcebook
HR2 (9323) Charlemagne’s Paladins Campaign Sourcebook
HR3 (9469) The Crusades Campaign Sourcebook
HR4 (9370) A Mighty Fortress Campaign Sourcebook
HR5 (9425) The Glory of Rome Campaign Sourcebook

Avalanche Pres Sourcebooks
http://www.rpgnow.com/default.php?manufacturers_id=1012

Quote from: HinterWeltSo, are there any recommendations that I can forward on to these teachers?

Well, I have generally had good luck with the GURPS historical sourcebooks.  They are mostly written by people with some clue about the subject and don't have a lot of pages devoted to "system", so they are pretty info dense.  Also, the sidebars are usually a good source of neat factoids.


TGA

A Mighty Fortress is a model for historical game supplements. Brilliantly written, solidly researched, and chock for of interesting stuff.
The Vikings book is excellent as well, though not as good as A Mighty Fortress.
The Charlemagne book was excellent as well, but I only borrowed and read it once, years ago.

The rest I can't comment on.

-clash

I don't think I'd recommend any of them for a teaching aid though, if the intent is to roleplay to get a feel for the period.  Most of the games are too complex for everyone in class to get it and you'd spend several hours or more teaching the game to do a day or so of roleplaying.

Ideally, a teaching tool would be very simple and concentrate on those elements that are being studied more than elements that are typical to an rpg - less adventure, more realistic picture.

Quote from: NicephorusI don't think I'd recommend any of them for a teaching aid though, if the intent is to roleplay to get a feel for the period.  Most of the games are too complex for everyone in class to get it and you'd spend several hours or more teaching the game to do a day or so of roleplaying.

Ideally, a teaching tool would be very simple and concentrate on those elements that are being studied more than elements that are typical to an rpg - less adventure, more realistic picture.

I can't really speak to that. These are folks who have played my games which are not lite on the crunch so I assume they know what they are getting into. I usually discuss what they want and it comes out that it is mostly a fin exercise that can span a few months and encourage not only history but a general learning experience (i.e. math, reading comprehension and communication skills). At other times I have had folks straight up just want something their students can read that does not seem like a text book.

Are the TSR books still available in retail?

Thanks,
Bill

Your best bet would be E-Bay or Amazon which has a few used for sale
http://www.amazon.com/Vikings-Campaign-Sourcebook-Advanced-Dungeons/dp/1560761288

You may also be able to find them as a PDF from one of the online sellers.

Quote from: HinterWeltAre the TSR books still available in retail?

Thanks,
Bill

The GURPS Rome book, which (if I recall correctly) was written by CJ Carella, was absolutely magnificent, and definitely useful as a teaching aid.

RPGPundit

Quote from: RockViperYour best bet would be E-Bay or Amazon which has a few used for sale
http://www.amazon.com/Vikings-Campaign-Sourcebook-Advanced-Dungeons/dp/1560761288

You may also be able to find them as a PDF from one of the online sellers.

Onebookshelf has A Mighty Fortress. I didn't check for the others.

-clash

Quote from: flyingmiceOnebookshelf has A Mighty Fortress. I didn't check for the others.

-clash

The PDFs could work. I will add that to my list of recommendations. I forgot to mention the Osprey books. They can be helpful aids.

Thanks Clash.

Any others?

Bill

you might also check on Noble Knight Games.  they are goddamn kings among OOP product sellers.  I honestly don't understand how they do it.  And their prices are quite reasonable.

I got my copy of Gamma World 4th for less than half the usual price elsewhere.

Quote from: J Arcaneyou might also check on Noble Knight Games.  they are goddamn kings among OOP product sellers.  I honestly don't understand how they do it.  And their prices are quite reasonable.

I got my copy of Gamma World 4th for less than half the usual price elsewhere.

I appreciate all the advice on getting OOP titles but unfortunately, some of the teachers I work with are just not that savvy. I am hoping to be able to say "Hey, go to x store or internet site and pick up title y to sure" as opposed to go there and they might have it...although Noble Knight still rocks.

Thanks for the intel folks. Always happt to hear about more historical RPGs.

Bill

Quotenately, some of the teachers I work with are just not that savvy. I am hoping to be able to say "Hey, go to x store or internet site and pick up title y to sure"

"Go to http://www.nobleknight.com/ and search for GURPS Rome" is a complicated directive?

Amazon's also a good place to hit for any book, as they have a lot of 3rd party sellers, and those work through Amazon's purchasing system.  Their prices however, have a tendency to gouge more, which is why I recommended Noble Knight.

I've written Legends of the Samurai, a d20 historical Japanese game, as well as Legends of the Dark Ages, covering Europe from 476-800.

Both are available at RPGNow, the former one is in print as well.

Chuck