Gamebook facts for kids
A gamebook is a special kind of book that lets you play a game while you read! It's often called a solo adventure or a choose your own adventure book. The name Choose Your Own Adventure comes from a very popular series of these books.
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How Gamebooks Work
Gamebooks are made up of many different paragraphs. Each paragraph has a number. You don't read them from start to finish like a normal book. Instead, you begin at the first paragraph.
At the end of most paragraphs, you'll find a choice. Your choice tells you which new paragraph to read next. This means you decide what happens in the story!
For example, imagine you are reading:
- Paragraph 1. You are in a long corridor. There are two doors: one on your left, and one on your right.
- If you want to open the left door, go to paragraph 2.
- If you want to open the right door, go to paragraph 3.
You can read the same gamebook many times. Each time you make different choices, you will discover a new story!
What Are Gamebooks Used For?
Some gamebooks are exciting adventure games. They tell the story of a brave adventurer. These books are often connected to role-playing games. Many are science-fiction or fantasy stories, full of magic or futuristic worlds.
Other gamebooks are made for learning. They can help you understand new things in a fun way. Because you are actively making choices, gamebooks can make a subject much more interesting. They can even show you what might happen if you make certain choices in real-life situations.
Gamebooks can also include small games inside them. You might find riddles, puzzles, or even games that use dice.
Popular Gamebook Series
Many famous gamebook series have been created over the years.
- Choose Your Own Adventure: This American series started in 1976. It was created by Edward Packard.
- Fighting Fantasy: This British series began in 1982. Its books have been translated into many languages. The creators are Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone.
- Lone Wolf: This British series started in 1984. The author is Joe Dever.
Some gamebook series are spin-offs of popular novels. For example, the Give Yourself Goosebumps gamebook series is based on the famous Goosebumps horror books.
Some gamebooks are special adventures for role-playing games (RPGs) that you can play by yourself. These are called "solo adventures" or "solitaire adventures." The very first solo adventure was written in 1976 for an RPG called Tunnels and Trolls.
Sometimes, video games or traditional RPGs are based on gamebooks.
- Several video games have been made from Fighting Fantasy gamebooks.
- Some traditional role-playing games are based on gamebooks:
- Advanced Fighting Fantasy is an RPG based on the Fighting Fantasy gamebooks.
- Lone Wolf Adventure Game is an RPG based on the Lone Wolf gamebooks.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Librojuego para niños
