Buy new:
-27% $43.67
FREE delivery Tuesday, July 23
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$43.67 with 27 percent savings
List Price: $59.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
FREE pickup Tuesday, July 23

1.27 mi | ASHBURN 20147

How pickup works
Pick up from nearby pickup location
Step 1: Place Your Order
Select the “Pickup” option on the product page or during checkout.
Step 2: Receive Notification
Once your package is ready for pickup, you'll receive an email and app notification.
Step 3: Pick up
Bring your order ID or pickup code (if applicable) to your chosen pickup location to pick up your package.
Only 1 left in stock (more on the way).
$$43.67 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$43.67
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Returnable Yes
Resolutions Eligible for refund or replacement
Return Window 30 days from delivery
Refund Timelines Typically, an advance refund will be issued within 24 hours of a drop-off or pick-up. For returns that require physical verification, refund issuance may take up to 30 days after drop-off or pick up. Where an advance refund is issued, we will re-charge your payment method if we do not receive the correct item in original condition. See details here.
Late fee A late fee of 20% of the item price will apply if you complete the drop off or pick up after the ‘Return By Date’.
Restocking fee A restocking fee may apply if the item is not returned in original condition and original packaging, or is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to Amazon or seller error. See details here.
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Returnable Yes
Resolutions Eligible for refund or replacement
Return Window 30 days from delivery
Refund Timelines Typically, an advance refund will be issued within 24 hours of a drop-off or pick-up. For returns that require physical verification, refund issuance may take up to 30 days after drop-off or pick up. Where an advance refund is issued, we will re-charge your payment method if we do not receive the correct item in original condition. See details here.
Late fee A late fee of 20% of the item price will apply if you complete the drop off or pick up after the ‘Return By Date’.
Restocking fee A restocking fee may apply if the item is not returned in original condition and original packaging, or is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to Amazon or seller error. See details here.

Return instructions

Item must be in original condition and packaging along with tag, accessories, manuals, and inserts. Unlock any electronic device, delete your account and remove all personal information.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Raph Koster
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Postmortems: Selected Essays Volume One Paperback – June 26, 2018

by Raph Koster (Author), Richard Garriott de Cayeux (Foreword)
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$43.67","priceAmount":43.67,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"43","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"67","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"YnfCaRhBAEdYTeGYRC5g9HahizWIf6sWVthZvc73DciNGDwCrtn1Ay%2FUje8gmrCAx%2Bytxu4zL5smQCAkb91M56JrKY0nQldvK5wL0IsNZSpvSjWERyrKWHciCi2lbDsHKvAmRPlusd4pTPRbn8ZFHA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$20.70","priceAmount":20.70,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"20","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"70","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"YnfCaRhBAEdYTeGYRC5g9HahizWIf6sWOqdG3kUqvTXLjGjs3d58W4VgIwUCgZ4Ecrror7WQrc9nmnlOmSNXHqLL7WXxEDApZqtAiruRZLLfHRUki9HkwhIUIPPECxPeE5DYOvys7oqIqEAPARMOxWqvQOzEDJtMCnHrN6lj7004Xl4mhZEGfh0pl%2F7I%2BJjY","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}],"desktop_buybox_group_2":[{"displayPrice":"$43.67","priceAmount":43.67,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"43","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"67","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"YnfCaRhBAEdYTeGYRC5g9HahizWIf6sWVthZvc73DciNGDwCrtn1Ay%2FUje8gmrCAx%2Bytxu4zL5smQCAkb91M56JrKY0nQldvK5wL0IsNZSpvSjWERyrKWHciCi2lbDsHKvAmRPlusd4pTPRbn8ZFHA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"PICKUP","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":2}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Few game designers have shared as many lessons learned as Raph Koster. In a quarter-century of writings and talks, he has offered up game design lessons, online community theories, and candid self-evaluation.

This first volume of a three-book set of selected essays collects previously written postmortems and many brand new pieces. They are accompanied by historical material such as posts written for players, chat logs, speeches, design sketches, and more. The result is an inspiring historical look back at the development of virtual worlds.

These are the stories behind Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, the story of the early art game Andean Bird and the story of the ambitious project Metaplace that aimed to build the Metaverse, including:

  • "A Story About a Tree," the classic piece from MUD days about whether our online bonds are real.
  • "The Ultima Online Resource System," a detailed design breakdown of the pioneering world simulation.
  • "A Jedi Saga," the popular tale of how an impossible design dilemma broke a world.
  • "Influences," a challenge to the game development community to pursue art.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    702 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Altered Tuning Press
  4. Publication date
    June 26, 2018
  5. Dimensions
    7.5 x 1.4 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0996793747
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0996793742
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

Postmortems: Selected Essays Volume One
$43.67
Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jul 23
Only 1 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Theory of Fun for Game Design
$25.49
Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 20
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Customers who bought this item also bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  1. Theory of Fun for Game Design
    Raph Koster
    4.3 out of 5 stars 620
    Paperback
    $25.49
    Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 20
    FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
  2. A Playful Production Process: For Game Designers (and Everyone)
  3. Pieces of the Action
    Vannevar Bush
    4.5 out of 5 stars 32
    Hardcover
    15% off
    Limited time deal
    $20.30
    List: $24.00
    Get it as soon as Saturday, Jul 20
    FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Next page

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Postmortems is a collection of writing both old and new documenting the evolution of design in multiplayer gaming, from text adventure to cutting-edge tech. The challenges didn't just come from online gaming growing into a dominant force, but also from increased expectations and the shifting priorities of switching from dedicated fans to a more general audience.... vital reading for anyone with an interest in knowing how games of any sort come about." - Hardcore Gamer (hardcoregamer.com)

"A valuable compendium of insight and essays that has significant value for both developers and genre enthusiasts. The coverage on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies make for compelling reading by fans of either titles or more general MMO followers... Koster gives form to the unicorn that so many of us have been chasing for a decade or more, and which always seems just out of reach." - MMORPG.com

About the Author

Raph Koster is a veteran game designer who has been professionally credited in almost every area of the game industry. He's been the lead designer and director of massive titles such as Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies; a venture-backed entrepreneur heading his own studio; and he's contributed design work, writing, art, soundtrack music, and programming to many more titles ranging from Facebook games to single-player games for handheld consoles. Koster is widely recognized as one of the world's top thinkers about game design, and is an in-demand speaker at conferences all over the world. His book A Theory of Fun for Game Design is one of the undisputed classics in the games field and was recently revised for a 10th anniversary edition. In 2012, he was named an Online Game Legend at the Game Developers Conference Online. Visit his blog at raphkoster.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Altered Tuning Press (June 26, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 702 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0996793747
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0996793742
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.61 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 1.4 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Raph Koster

Raph Koster

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Raph Koster is a veteran game designer who has been professionally credited in almost every area of the game industry. He’s been the lead designer and director of massive titles such as ULTIMA ONLINE and STAR WARS GALAXIES; a venture-backed entrepreneur heading his own studio; and he’s contributed design work, writing, art, soundtrack music, and programming to many more titles ranging from Facebook games to single-player games for handheld consoles.

Koster is widely recognized as one of the world’s top thinkers about game design, and is an in-demand speaker at conferences all over the world. His book A THEORY OF FUN FOR GAME DESIGN has reached its tenth anniversary as one of the undisputed classics in the games field. In 2012, he was named an Online Game Legend at the Game Developers Conference Online. Visit his blog at www.raphkoster.com.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
28 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the historical setting insightful and nostalgic, featuring some of the most influential MMOs. They also describe the book as an awesome read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Historical settingReadability
4 customers mention "Historical setting"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the historical setting insightful and nostalgic. They say it provides a blast through the past and a spark of hope for the future. Readers also say the book provides an interesting look at the development of some of the games that shaped the development.

"...years, it's both a nostalgic blast through the past and a spark of hope for the future. A must read for anyone studying game design!" Read more

"This covers the history of online gaming in depth, provides tons of lessons learned from Raph's career, and even touches on an early attempt of a..." Read more

"A very interesting look at the development of some of the games that shaped the development of MMOs and the internet itself that I'd recommend to..." Read more

"Brings back some nostalgia. Recommended if you have played some of the games in there." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an awesome read.

"...Awesome read." Read more

"...perspective than seen in today's AAA landscape to make it well worth a read, especially if you haven't already trawled through his archives." Read more

"Nice book..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Xav
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone who studies video games
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2019
Verified Purchase
Postmortems provides a comprehensive overview on the history of virtual worlds, beginning in the early days of MUDs, through the arrival of web-based games. The contents are vast and cover a wide variety of topics in game design. Perfect for game design students who need to develop an understanding of the complex history of virtual worlds. Many lessons from game balance to creating an immersive social environment, as well as insight to how things can go wrong are covered in this book.

The layout of the essays and ability to pick and choose topics makes it the perfect choice for professors. Additionally, for those of us who have enjoyed MMOs through the years, it's both a nostalgic blast through the past and a spark of hope for the future. A must read for anyone studying game design!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Dane
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome read on the history of online gaming
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
This covers the history of online gaming in depth, provides tons of lessons learned from Raph's career, and even touches on an early attempt of a ready player one oasis platform. Awesome read.
Helpful
 Report
P. O'Malley
5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful and nostalgic walk through of some of the most influential MMOs in existence
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
A very interesting look at the development of some of the games that shaped the development of MMOs and the internet itself that I'd recommend to anybody who likes to nerd out about systems. A fair bit of it is repurposed content from his blog, but there's enough new material and exploration of game design concepts that come from a refreshingly different perspective than seen in today's AAA landscape to make it well worth a read, especially if you haven't already trawled through his archives.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice book
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
Brings back some nostalgia. Recommended if you have played some of the games in there.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Wes Locher
5.0 out of 5 stars A "Greatest Hits" of Game Design Lessons
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2018
I'm sure many aspiring game makers would jump at the chance to sit down with Raph Koster and listen to him share his design wisdom and industry experience. Thankfully, Koster's new book "Postmortems" frees up the author's schedule and provides the reader with a greatest hits of some of the biggest lessons Koster learned while working on LegendMUD, Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies, and Privateer Online.

But rather than just cover game design, this tome touches on Koster's experiences creating, running, and maintaining online worlds and communities as well as the trials, tribulations, and victories associated with them. "Postmortems" isn't just theory... it's part history book, part practical application, and part psychology weaved together as the author empties the well across several major milestones of his career.

While the page count of this book might be daunting, I wouldn't be surprised to see "Postmortems" join "A Theory of Fun for Game Design" as required reading in game development programs across the world. Whether you aspire to create online worlds, or just want to know how the sausage is made, there's something here for everyone who works in the game industry.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Joel Burgess
5.0 out of 5 stars A candid look inside online game development
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2018
Raph Koster's work has made him one of the most influential pioneers in online games, and he's long been one of the most transparent game designers in general, frequently sharing his process and self-analysis through public speaking and writings. This book offers a refreshingly candid look into the usually-guarded world of game development, sharing insights ranging from early ambitions for design to post-mortems on what carrying those ideas through the crucible of production meant.

I can't think of a better book to dive into for designers working on systems-driven games, online games, or anyone interested in the anthropology the games that would inform much of the thinking in online games for the following decade, and beyond.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Chris Foster
5.0 out of 5 stars I've been fortunate to hear some of these anecdotes as one of ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2018
This is a deep dive into the experiences and insights of Raph Koster, creator of some of the most successful virtual worlds ever made. I've been fortunate to hear some of these anecdotes as one of Raph's colleagues and friends, but I was excited to see his analytical expertise applied to the breadth of his career. His writing style is as engaging as his lectures, and if you have any interest in game design, this is an excellent read.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Joel Zachary Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Thought Provoking Nostalgia Candy
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2018
This book would be worth it if only for the fun trips down memory lane provided by the writings on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies. The real value is in the deep thoughts about creating virtual worlds that people truly inhabit and connect with. We are lucky the author is taking the time to share all this with the wide world instead of letting their experience be lost to the ages. A must read if you are working on creating your own worlds.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
ramdy
1.0 out of 5 stars Más de lo mismo
Reviewed in Spain on February 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
A mí me está resultando sobre todo una autobiografía y la verdad poco de lo que aprender. Incluso hay contenidos limitados que tendrías que extender accediendo a sitios en Internet como Gamasutra donde en el libro las imágenes se encuentran a un tamaño tan pequeño que son ilegibles.
Report
Dr Richard A. Bartle
5.0 out of 5 stars What it means to be a game designer.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is a stunning collection of essays by one of game design’s deepest thinkers. Although at the subject level it relates to the process of designing games, for me its greatest value lies in its all-pervading expression of what it means to be a game designer. Indeed, I can think of no better book that demonstrates the difference between a game designer and a mere designer of games: the author is world class in his field, and reading this you can see why.

In this volume, Koster looks back at a number of key virtual worlds for which he drove the design, principally LegendMUD, Ultima Online, Star Wars: Galaxies and MetaPlace (which wasn’t so much a virtual world as a platform for creating virtual worlds). Their successes, failures and – in two cases – closures are described honestly and insightfully; the book is not called Postmortems for nothing.

Some of the content is already available in various forms online, if you can find it, but here it’s assembled, ordered and clarified. There is much original material, too; don’t think that this is simply a rehash of classic writings and presentations.

The weakest part of the book is not in its content but in its production. There are a number of minor typos that weren’t picked up, and although I’m all for historical veracity I don’t think that reproducing in paperback form documents with inline hyperlinks is necessarily a good idea (although to be fair, this only happens once).

Overall, Postmortems is a very impressive sojourn through the history of virtual worlds, from both contemporary and modern perspectives, which anyone in (or seeking to be in) the business of virtual worlds will find of immense value.

Five stars from me, no question.
One person found this helpful
 Report