Quoting Nightfox to Gamgee <=-
Re: Re: Good Older Fantasy & Sci-Fi Recommendations?
Well, again the "gold standard" (IMHO) of this genre is The Lord of the Rings. Three books, doesn't get any better. Oh - there is a "prequel" to these three called "The Hobbit", which should DEFINITELY be read first.
When I was a kid, I'd heard of The Hobbit, but I'd never heard of Lord
of the Rings until the movies came out.. I tried to watch them but
found myself a bit bored with them. The genre isn't really my thing. Nightfox
Quoting Boraxman to Gamgee <=-
Well, again the "gold standard" (IMHO) of this genre is The Lord of the Rings. Three books, doesn't get any better. Oh - there is a "prequel"
to these three called "The Hobbit", which should DEFINITELY be read
first.
That should keep you busy for a little while. ;-)
My uncle lent me Lord of the Rings when I was 9 or so. He was quite
the Tolkein
fan, but as far as I know, not into fantasy, just Tolkein. I had
already read the Hobbit by then, and quite enjoyed it, but the size of Lord of the Rings was daunting and the pace slower. It sat on the back burner and I didn't read it until much later in life. It IS the gold standard of fantasy, and set the template for many other fantasy works later. Tolkein was to fantasy what iD Software was to First Person Shooters, but to be honest, that may be UNDER stating it.
Nightfox wrote to Gamgee <=-
Re: Re: Good Older Fantasy & Sci-Fi Recommendations?
By: Gamgee to Foriest Jan Smith on Thu May 08 2025 08:40 am
When I was a kid, I'd heard of The Hobbit, but I'd never heard of Lord
of the Rings until the movies came out.. I tried to watch them but
found myself a bit bored with them. The genre isn't really my thing.
Boraxman wrote to Gamgee <=-
My uncle lent me Lord of the Rings when I was 9 or so. He was quite
the Tolkein
fan, but as far as I know, not into fantasy, just Tolkein. I had
already read the Hobbit by then, and quite enjoyed it, but the size of Lord of the Rings was daunting and the pace slower. It sat on the back burner and I didn't read it until much later in life. It IS the gold standard of fantasy, and set the template for many other fantasy works later. Tolkein was to fantasy what iD Software was to First Person Shooters, but to be honest, that may be UNDER stating it.
poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Foriest Jan Smith <=-
There's a series of books called the Science Fiction Hall of Fame
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Science_Fiction_Hall_of_Fame,_Volume_O ne,_1929%E2%80%931964
has a great selection of short stories from SF authors from 1929 to
1964. There's a followup with novellas as well.
Cougar428 wrote to BORAXMAN <=-
@MSGID: <681E01C4.34635.dove-ent@cjsplace.thruhere.net>
@REPLY: <681D2FA0.38963.dove-ent@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
Quoting Boraxman to Gamgee <=-
Well, again the "gold standard" (IMHO) of this genre is The Lord of the Rings. Three books, doesn't get any better. Oh - there is a "prequel"
to these three called "The Hobbit", which should DEFINITELY be read
first.
That should keep you busy for a little while. ;-)
My uncle lent me Lord of the Rings when I was 9 or so. He was quite
the Tolkein
fan, but as far as I know, not into fantasy, just Tolkein. I had
already read the Hobbit by then, and quite enjoyed it, but the size of Lord of the Rings was daunting and the pace slower. It sat on the back burner and I didn't read it until much later in life. It IS the gold standard of fantasy, and set the template for many other fantasy works later. Tolkein was to fantasy what iD Software was to First Person Shooters, but to be honest, that may be UNDER stating it.
Long live iD! I loved most all of their games, everything they did was
gold for me. Simple enjoyment...
Cougar
Jimmy Anderson wrote to Boraxman <=-
@MSGID: <681E1DC2.18466.dove-ent@palantirbbs.ddns.net>
@REPLY: <681D2FA0.38963.dove-ent@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
Boraxman wrote to Gamgee <=-
My uncle lent me Lord of the Rings when I was 9 or so. He was quite
the Tolkein
fan, but as far as I know, not into fantasy, just Tolkein. I had
already read the Hobbit by then, and quite enjoyed it, but the size of Lord of the Rings was daunting and the pace slower. It sat on the back burner and I didn't read it until much later in life. It IS the gold standard of fantasy, and set the template for many other fantasy works later. Tolkein was to fantasy what iD Software was to First Person Shooters, but to be honest, that may be UNDER stating it.
I know the 'races' from D&D were pulled basically from Tolkein, so he influenced the early RPG scene too!
As a former ID Software addict, I am 100% in agreement; and great
analogy! ;-)
How did you get over the addiction? I'm not recovered yet! In fact, I'm making levels for Quake right now, hopefully will release a short episode this year, inspired by Dante's Inferno.
Nightfox wrote to Boraxman <=-
@MSGID: <6820CC43.38770.dove_entertai@digitaldistortionbbs.com>
@REPLY: <6820A520.38994.dove-ent@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
Re: Re: Good Older Fantasy &
By: Boraxman to Gamgee on
Sun May 11 2025 10:21 pm
As a former ID Software addict, I am 100% in agreement; and great
analogy! ;-)
How did you get over the addiction? I'm not recovered yet! In fact, I'm making levels for Quake right now, hopefully will release a short episode this year, inspired by Dante's Inferno.
That actually sounds like fun. I tried using some level editors in the 90s, and the only one I was atually able to make levels for was Duke
Nukem 3D. That had a level editor that was fairly easy to use, I
thought.
Some of my favourite games were made by them, Doom and Quake rank in
I'm making levels for Quake right now, hopefully will release a short episode this year, inspired by Dante's Inferno.
Quoting Boraxman to Nightfox <=-
Nightfox wrote to Boraxman <=-
@MSGID: <6820CC43.38770.dove_entertai@digitaldistortionbbs.com>
@REPLY: <6820A520.38994.dove-ent@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
Re: Re: Good Older Fantasy &
By: Boraxman to Gamgee on
Sun May 11 2025 10:21 pm
As a former ID Software addict, I am 100% in agreement; and great
analogy! ;-)
How did you get over the addiction? I'm not recovered yet! In fact, I'm making levels for Quake right now, hopefully will release a short episode this year, inspired by Dante's Inferno.
That actually sounds like fun. I tried using some level editors in the 90s, and the only one I was atually able to make levels for was Duke
Nukem 3D. That had a level editor that was fairly easy to use, I
thought.
It is fun. I'm using Trenchbroom, which is a full 3D preview that you
can edit the level in. Makes things sooo much easier. It's never been more fun to make levels, but it takes longer, as peoples expectations
are higher, so more effort is needed to make something stand out.
phigan wrote to Boraxman <=-
@MSGID: <68229C36.1531.dove-ent@tacopronto.bbs.io>
@REPLY: <6820A520.38994.dove-ent@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
Re: Re: Good Older Fantasy &
By: Boraxman to Gamgee on
Sun May 11 2025 10:21 pm
I'm making levels for Quake right now, hopefully will release a short episode this year, inspired by Dante's Inferno.
IIRC, Paulie of 20forBeers runs a monthly Quake match/game/thing. Check out his board. 20forbeers.com:1337
Cougar428 wrote to BORAXMAN <=-
@MSGID: <68233EE0.34694.dove-ent@cjsplace.thruhere.net>
@REPLY: <6821B623.39018.dove-ent@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
Quoting Boraxman to Nightfox <=-
Nightfox wrote to Boraxman <=-
@MSGID: <6820CC43.38770.dove_entertai@digitaldistortionbbs.com>
@REPLY: <6820A520.38994.dove-ent@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
Re: Re: Good Older Fantasy &
By: Boraxman to Gamgee on
Sun May 11 2025 10:21 pm
As a former ID Software addict, I am 100% in agreement; and great
analogy! ;-)
How did you get over the addiction? I'm not recovered yet! In fact, I'm making levels for Quake right now, hopefully will release a short episode this year, inspired by Dante's Inferno.
That actually sounds like fun. I tried using some level editors in the 90s, and the only one I was atually able to make levels for was Duke
Nukem 3D. That had a level editor that was fairly easy to use, I
thought.
It is fun. I'm using Trenchbroom, which is a full 3D preview that you
can edit the level in. Makes things sooo much easier. It's never been more fun to make levels, but it takes longer, as peoples expectations
are higher, so more effort is needed to make something stand out.
Anyone have any custom Quake II levels? I still play and have most of
the older packaged add ons like Zero.
Be cool to try something new. I also love the old platformers like
Duke
1 and 2, Keen and the like.
Quoting Boraxman to Cougar428 <=-
Anyone have any custom Quake II levels? I still play and have most of
the older packaged add ons like Zero.
Be cool to try something new. I also love the old platformers like
Duke
1 and 2, Keen and the like.
There are still heaps around, if you do a search.
But I can recommend some of mine!
From my Levels page
http://boraxman.strangled.net/levels/#quake-2-levels
I would recommend
"Dens Palace"
"Orbital Fortitude"
and if you want, a 5 level unit
"The Ulysses Project".
All available at that link. I also got into contact with a Russian mapper, Pavel Shangin, he started making levels after reaching out to
me. Never heard from him since, but he made quite a few, which I've
got on my site too
They're pretty good too! http://boraxman.strangled.net/levels/pavels_levels/
Cougar428 wrote to BORAXMAN <=-
@MSGID: <6824862E.34699.dove-ent@cjsplace.thruhere.net>
@REPLY: <6823C546.39034.dove-ent@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
Quoting Boraxman to Cougar428 <=-
Anyone have any custom Quake II levels? I still play and have most of
the older packaged add ons like Zero.
Be cool to try something new. I also love the old platformers like
Duke
1 and 2, Keen and the like.
There are still heaps around, if you do a search.
But I can recommend some of mine!
From my Levels page
http://boraxman.strangled.net/levels/#quake-2-levels
I would recommend
"Dens Palace"
"Orbital Fortitude"
and if you want, a 5 level unit
"The Ulysses Project".
All available at that link. I also got into contact with a Russian mapper, Pavel Shangin, he started making levels after reaching out to
me. Never heard from him since, but he made quite a few, which I've
got on my site too
They're pretty good too! http://boraxman.strangled.net/levels/pavels_levels/
Thank you! I was unable to retrieve 'Orbital Fortitude' - got an url
not found message. Got all the others. I like the game, but remember
most everything in the levels. So it's excellent that you have some
custom content that I can aim at.
Also got 'Heavy Industry' as it looked good! Thanks for making this.
Once I get it loaded, I'll send you some feedback.
Quoting Boraxman to Cougar428 <=-
Thank you! I was unable to retrieve 'Orbital Fortitude' - got an url
not found message. Got all the others. I like the game, but remember
most everything in the levels. So it's excellent that you have some
custom content that I can aim at.
Also got 'Heavy Industry' as it looked good! Thanks for making this.
Once I get it loaded, I'll send you some feedback.
http://boraxman.strangled.net/Quake2Levels/Orbfort.zip
Try the link above. Didn't realise that case sensitivity made an
issue!
I think Orbital Fortitude is the best of the Quake 2 levels I made.
Gamgee wrote to Foriest Jan Smith <=-
@MSGID: <681CB455.18444.dove-ent@palantirbbs.ddns.net>
@REPLY: <681BF76D.557.dove-ent@enigma-bbs.com>
Foriest Jan Smith wrote to All <=-
I've been getting into lots of older sci-fi stuff as of late (the old X Minus One serials, Jules Verne, some older sci-fi anthologies I own
from the 70s and 80s (Machines That Think, edited by Isaac Asimov is
what got me into sci-fi!), but I'm itching for more good stuff. I do
have an older copy of the Foundation Trilogy I've been meaning to try
but I'm wondering if there's any other good sci-fi of the 50s-60s I should keep an eye out for (I have half a mind to look for more sci-fi pulp magazines, lol).
I have always considered the Foundation Trilogy to be the "gold
standard" of science fiction. Doesn't get any better. Read that
first. Be advised that there are 3-4 "sequel" books to that trilogy,
that are pretty much garbage. Stick with the original three.
On the same note, I've completely neglected Fantasy. I have yet to find ANY fantasy novels I like. A penpal sent me some ebooks of authors like Anne McCaffery, Brandon Sanderson, E.E. Knight, etc. I had already had some interest--having read some older short stories by Robert E. Howard (I'd love some recommendationso f those if you have any). But I'm
mainly interested getting my hands on anything decent fantasy wise that isn't anime or Skyrim, lol.
If anyone has any recommendations of either, I'm dying to know!
Well, again the "gold standard" (IMHO) of this genre is The Lord of the Rings. Three books, doesn't get any better. Oh - there is a "prequel"
to these three called "The Hobbit", which should DEFINITELY be read
first.
That should keep you busy for a little while. ;-)
Boraxman wrote to Gamgee <=-
Gamgee wrote to Foriest Jan Smith <=-
I've been getting into lots of older sci-fi stuff as of late (the old X Minus One serials, Jules Verne, some older sci-fi anthologies I own
from the 70s and 80s (Machines That Think, edited by Isaac Asimov is
what got me into sci-fi!), but I'm itching for more good stuff. I do
have an older copy of the Foundation Trilogy I've been meaning to try
but I'm wondering if there's any other good sci-fi of the 50s-60s I should keep an eye out for (I have half a mind to look for more sci-fi pulp magazines, lol).
I have always considered the Foundation Trilogy to be the "gold
standard" of science fiction. Doesn't get any better. Read that
first. Be advised that there are 3-4 "sequel" books to that trilogy,
that are pretty much garbage. Stick with the original three.
I only know of two sequel books, and a prequel or two. I've read two
of the sequels, Foundations Edge and Foundation and Earth. There is a distinctly different tone and atmosphere, and both follow a different story arc, with the second continuing from the first. I think pretty
much every other Asimov book or story I've read, I rate higher than
these two. I have one of the prequels which I found at a second hand bookstore and got out of curiosity, but my expectations are low.
On the same note, I've completely neglected Fantasy. I have yet to find ANY fantasy novels I like. A penpal sent me some ebooks of authors like Anne McCaffery, Brandon Sanderson, E.E. Knight, etc. I had already had some interest--having read some older short stories by Robert E. Howard (I'd love some recommendationso f those if you have any). But I'm
mainly interested getting my hands on anything decent fantasy wise that isn't anime or Skyrim, lol.
If anyone has any recommendations of either, I'm dying to know!
Well, again the "gold standard" (IMHO) of this genre is The Lord of the Rings. Three books, doesn't get any better. Oh - there is a "prequel"
to these three called "The Hobbit", which should DEFINITELY be read
first.
That should keep you busy for a little while. ;-)
My uncle lent me Lord of the Rings when I was 9 or so. He was quite
the Tolkein
fan, but as far as I know, not into fantasy, just Tolkein. I had
already read the Hobbit by then, and quite enjoyed it, but the size of Lord of the Rings was daunting and the pace slower. It sat on the back burner and I didn't read it until much later in life.
It IS the gold
standard of fantasy, and set the template for many other fantasy works later. Tolkein was to fantasy what iD Software was to First Person Shooters, but to be honest, that may be UNDER stating it.
Gamgee wrote to Nightfox <=-
I think the movies would be better for you if you had read the books first. This is true for many movies, of course, but maybe especially
for this collection due to the large number of places and characters.
It helps to know something of the story before trying to understand the movies, which leave out a lot of details.
Gamgee wrote to Boraxman <=-
@MSGID: <681DFC35.18457.dove-ent@palantirbbs.ddns.net>
@REPLY: <681D2FA0.38963.dove-ent@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
Boraxman wrote to Gamgee <=-
Gamgee wrote to Foriest Jan Smith <=-
I've been getting into lots of older sci-fi stuff as of late (the old X Minus One serials, Jules Verne, some older sci-fi anthologies I own
from the 70s and 80s (Machines That Think, edited by Isaac Asimov is
what got me into sci-fi!), but I'm itching for more good stuff. I do
have an older copy of the Foundation Trilogy I've been meaning to try
but I'm wondering if there's any other good sci-fi of the 50s-60s I should keep an eye out for (I have half a mind to look for more sci-fi pulp magazines, lol).
I have always considered the Foundation Trilogy to be the "gold
standard" of science fiction. Doesn't get any better. Read that
first. Be advised that there are 3-4 "sequel" books to that trilogy,
that are pretty much garbage. Stick with the original three.
I only know of two sequel books, and a prequel or two. I've read two
of the sequels, Foundations Edge and Foundation and Earth. There is a distinctly different tone and atmosphere, and both follow a different story arc, with the second continuing from the first. I think pretty
much every other Asimov book or story I've read, I rate higher than
these two. I have one of the prequels which I found at a second hand bookstore and got out of curiosity, but my expectations are low.
Yes, that is correct now that I think about it. I grouped the
additional books all as "sequels", but you're right - some were "prequels". All of them were disappointing, at least to me.
On the same note, I've completely neglected Fantasy. I have yet to find ANY fantasy novels I like. A penpal sent me some ebooks of authors like Anne McCaffery, Brandon Sanderson, E.E. Knight, etc. I had already had some interest--having read some older short stories by Robert E. Howard (I'd love some recommendationso f those if you have any). But I'm
mainly interested getting my hands on anything decent fantasy wise that isn't anime or Skyrim, lol.
If anyone has any recommendations of either, I'm dying to know!
Well, again the "gold standard" (IMHO) of this genre is The Lord of the Rings. Three books, doesn't get any better. Oh - there is a "prequel"
to these three called "The Hobbit", which should DEFINITELY be read
first.
That should keep you busy for a little while. ;-)
My uncle lent me Lord of the Rings when I was 9 or so. He was quite
the Tolkein
fan, but as far as I know, not into fantasy, just Tolkein. I had
already read the Hobbit by then, and quite enjoyed it, but the size of Lord of the Rings was daunting and the pace slower. It sat on the back burner and I didn't read it until much later in life.
You're not the only person who has done those books in that way. ;-)
It IS the gold
standard of fantasy, and set the template for many other fantasy works later. Tolkein was to fantasy what iD Software was to First Person Shooters, but to be honest, that may be UNDER stating it.
As a former ID Software addict, I am 100% in agreement; and great
analogy! ;-)
Boraxman wrote to Gamgee <=-
It IS the gold
standard of fantasy, and set the template for many other fantasy works later. Tolkein was to fantasy what iD Software was to First Person Shooters, but to be honest, that may be UNDER stating it.
As a former ID Software addict, I am 100% in agreement; and great
analogy! ;-)
How did you get over the addiction? I'm not recovered yet! In fact,
I'm making levels for Quake right now, hopefully will release a short episode this year, inspired by Dante's Inferno.
Gamgee wrote to Boraxman <=-
@MSGID: <6820F645.18493.dove-ent@palantirbbs.ddns.net>
@REPLY: <6820A520.38994.dove-ent@bbs.mozysswamp.org>
Boraxman wrote to Gamgee <=-
It IS the gold
standard of fantasy, and set the template for many other fantasy works later. Tolkein was to fantasy what iD Software was to First Person Shooters, but to be honest, that may be UNDER stating it.
As a former ID Software addict, I am 100% in agreement; and great
analogy! ;-)
How did you get over the addiction? I'm not recovered yet! In fact,
I'm making levels for Quake right now, hopefully will release a short episode this year, inspired by Dante's Inferno.
Well... interesting question. I guess because "Life" moved on and
other games grabbed some attention. Also the transition from DOS to Windows, and then to Linux make it less easy to run the old DOS stuff. Also Duke Nukem 3D was a MAJOR distraction. There was some software called "Kali" that I registered, which allowed online multiplayer
"Duking" and that took a lot of my time away... ;-) I still fire up Doom/Duke/Quake1/2 now and then. Absolutely LOVED Quake2 also. Heretic/Hexen had their time as well.
These days I'm not doing much gaming, too many other distractions.
Likely will after I retire in about 2 years. :-)
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