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

I read the hobbit during my high school years and was fascinated by it.
I did eventually read the whole series and was never dissapointed. The
movies leave quite a lot out of the story, but there's no way movies
can replace your imagination while reading a book. This is not a
detriment to the craft, just a case of comparing your mind's eye to a
movie directors vision. As you mentioned you may have gotten bored with
them, they didn't include what makes them fascinating to readers.

Movies last for a an hour or two, the books took me (as a teenager)
many days to read and enjoy.

Cougar

... Anything good in life is either illegal, immoral, or fattening.

___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.20
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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

... Where does the fire go when the fire goes out?

___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.20
---
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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.

I tried to read them when I was a teen ager. My friends were reading
them and I tried, but couldn't get into them. I was busy reading
sci-fi and mainly time travel.

A few years ago I watched the movies though - WOW!!!


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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!



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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.

I have read those! And I used to get 'the year's greatest science fiction'
or whatever the actual name way. Once I got too old, it stopped being
original enough for me. :-)



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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

:)

Some of my favourite games were made by them, Doom and Quake rank in
#1 and #2 spots. Not sure what order to put them in.

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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!

Yes, a lot was derived from those worked. When I was little, I
thought Tolken wrote these books in the 1800s, they just seemed to
have too much of a cultural legacy to have been that "recent".

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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.

Nightfox

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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.


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Re: Re: Good Older Fantasy &
By: Boraxman to Cougar428 on Sun May 11 2025 10:20 pm

Some of my favourite games were made by them, Doom and Quake rank in

Quake and R.O.T.T. my 1 & 2

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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

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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.

... This tagline is identical to the one you are reading.

___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.20
---
þ Synchronet þ CJ's Place, Orange City, FL - cjsplace.thruhere.net

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

I've been meaning to join, but there is a timezone difference which makes it hard.
I'll have to get on the Discord somehow (I hate discord!)


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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.

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/




... BoraxMan
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.49
þ Synchronet þ MS & RD BBs - 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.

... Save water. Shower with a friend

___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.20
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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.

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.


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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.

Got it! Thanks again Borax! Thanks for keeping the levels going.

Cougar

... Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.20
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