From the Vault: The Origins of Games Workshop, with Sir Ian Livingstone
Dec 9, 2023
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Sir Ian Livingstone, co-founder of Games Workshop, discusses the origins and impact of the company. They explore the evolution of gaming from board games to immersive experiences like Dungeons and Dragons. The chapter also delves into the origins of Citadel miniatures, personal experiences of the individuals involved, and the innovation of dice in Games Workshop. They also discuss the transition from game books to computer gaming and touch on various products and causes.
Dungeons and Dragons revolutionized gaming by introducing an immersive fantasy world and paved the way for the creation of Warhammer as its own intellectual property.
The Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks series achieved immense success by empowering solo players to make choices and face consequences, selling over 20 million copies globally.
Deep dives
The Origins of Games Workshop and Dungeons and Dragons
Sir Ian Livingstone discusses the early days of Games Workshop, co-founding the company with Steve Jackson, and their passion for board games and historical war games before the creation of Dungeons and Dragons. He highlights the impact of Dungeons and Dragons in revolutionizing gaming with its immersive fantasy world and introduces the Warhammer concept as their own intellectual property.
The Success of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks
Sir Ian Livingstone talks about the birth of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks, the first series to incorporate branching narratives and game systems attached. He explains their goal of creating a role-playing experience for solo players, empowering readers to make choices and face consequences, and the immense success they achieved with over 20 million copies sold globally.
The Rise of Games Workshop and Miniature Gaming
Sir Ian Livingstone delves into the early days of Games Workshop and the emergence of miniature war gaming. He discusses the creation of Citadel Miniatures in collaboration with Brian Ansell, which allowed them to distribute their own miniatures and eventually focus more on the Warhammer concept. He explains how Games Workshop transitioned to becoming a Warhammer-focused company and the ongoing success of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Game Design and Tips for Budding Game Designers
Sir Ian Livingstone shares his insights on game design, emphasizing the importance of gameplay and an exciting theme that resonates with players. He advises aspiring game designers to create games that are quick to learn but difficult to master, with a focus on providing a thrilling experience and allowing for shared enjoyment through collaborative play.
In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Sir Ian Livingstone, co-founder of Games Workshop and co-author of the Fighting Fantasy gamebook series with Steve Jackson, about their new book ““Dice Men: The Origin Story of Games Workshop.” (originally published 12/27/2022)