Society & Cyberculture, Interactive Multimedia

Warlocks and Warpdrive

Name: Warlocks and Warpdrive
Author: Brooks McNamara
ISBN: 9780786406340

by Brooks McNamara

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Overview

This book offers ten chapters examining contemporary fantasy entertainment forms that use virtual environments to amuse the participant. Called “virtual fantasies” by the author (as opposed to virtual realities), these entertainment forms are categorized into three main groupings. All include performance and imaginary environments as essential elements—participants are often simultaneously performers and audience. Many involve computer technology such as multimedia, digitized video, and online chatting. Part I covers imaginative fantasy entertainments, where the participants are required to use their imaginations to see the virtual environment. These include paper and pencil role-playing games (Dungeons and Dragons), live-action roleplaying games (International Fantasy Gaming Society rules), and collectible card games (Magic: The Gathering). Part II covers physical fantasy entertainments, where the participants need little imagination to see the virtual environment. These include computer games (Star Trek: Klingon), theme park rides (Disneyland’s Star Tours), and immersive museums (National Museum of the American Indian). Part III covers social fantasy entertainments, where participants have built communities based upon the virtual environment (Star Trek fandom, Star Wars influencing Ronald Reagan’s Pax Americana).

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Offers 10 essays examining contemporary fantasy entertainment forms that use virtual environments to amuse the participant. Called virtual fantasies by the author, these entertainment forms are categorized into three main groupings. All involve performance and imaginary environments, where participants are often both performers and audience. Many involve technology such as multimedia and online chatting. Some topics are UFOs and the music of Michael Stearns, interactive CD-ROM movies, the Heaven's Gate cult, and science fiction tourism. The author has written for publications such as the and . Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)