Tabbed out on the Oregon Trail
"Pick Your Own Path on The Oregon Trail" is a 2020 gamebook with a tabbed design, offering choices and multiple outcomes but criticized for lacking historical context, especially regarding Native Americans.
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The blog post discusses the unique format of "Pick Your Own Path on The Oregon Trail," a 2020 gamebook by Jesse Wiley that features a tabbed page design, distinguishing it from traditional "turn to page" gamebooks. The author reflects on the history of the Oregon Trail narrative, noting its origins as one of the earliest computer games and its various adaptations over the years. The book is characterized by its colorful panels and a simplified narrative structure, offering players a series of choices that can lead to multiple outcomes, including death from various causes. Despite its engaging format, the author critiques the book for lacking historical context and depth, particularly regarding the portrayal of Native Americans. The post raises questions about the challenges of creating tabbed gamebooks and the potential for this format to enhance or detract from the gaming experience. The author expresses curiosity about the book's development and the identity of Jesse Wiley, highlighting the complexities involved in producing such a unique interactive fiction format.
- "Pick Your Own Path on The Oregon Trail" features a tabbed page design, a rare format for gamebooks.
- The book simplifies the narrative, focusing on choices that lead to various outcomes, including death.
- The author critiques the book for its lack of historical context and depth regarding Native American portrayals.
- The post raises questions about the challenges of creating tabbed gamebooks and their impact on gameplay.
- The author expresses curiosity about the book's development and the identity of its author, Jesse Wiley.
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5 comments[1] http://www.shigabooks.com/ [2] http://www.aaronsw.com/2002/fleep/ [3] https://www.amazon.com/Adventuregame-Comics-Leviathan-Jason-...
I had a chance to work with one of the original Oregon Trail creators on a board game concept these past three years. Don is a true pleasure to work with and has a sharp mind plus great stories. Highly recommend HN folks look up his GDC talk or send him some work (he's open to select projects) https://www.linkedin.com/in/donrawitsch/
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