Rob Lindsay

(Note: I purchased this book through Waterstones and attempted to leave this review on their site. However I had some issues doing so; it may or may not be there at the time you read this) A fascinating lens into two different worlds, and an enjoyable journey through them I've been playing games all of my life. I've never so much as dipped a toe into MMORPGs, though, being put off by preconceptions I had of the genre and its communities. I'm really glad that I chose to challenge those ideas and dive into this vibrant tale of online gaming and online gamers. By the end of the journey I had laughed out loud more than a few times, and at least twice put the book down for a moment to appreciate an excellent piece of storytelling or plotting. I'd also journeyed with the characters in a personal and moving way, through adversity and perplexity both online and off. Due to my lifelong exposure to videogames I am familiar with some of the more niche concepts, language and abbreviations used in the book. It isn't essential to know them, as they're used in an intuitive manner, but if you're completely new to gaming you might be well-served in checking a few of the terms. The book is self-published so the lens has a hand-crafted feel: a tangible reality to the settings and narrative. Maybe a little rough sometimes, perhaps a touch out of focus in others, but so are the worlds that it provides a window to. It's a fitting tribute to the community-created moments and lifestyles from that time. I am left with an odd pang for something I never experienced but I feel enriched for it. I recommend this for MMORPG fans, gamers, those with a slight penchant for the mid 2010s and those looking for a view into a small but colourful world that may only exist in the digital past.