The Influence of Western Literature on Early RPG Game Design
Long before video games existed, Western fantasy literature laid the foundation for what RPGs would eventually become. Works by situs toto authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Michael Moorcock shaped the worlds, character archetypes, and moral frameworks that early tabletop RPGs—and later digital RPGs—would emulate.
Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings had the most visible influence. Its richly built world, detailed races, and epic narrative structure inspired the creators of Dungeons & Dragons. Concepts like elves, dwarves, orcs, hobbits, epic quests, and magical artifacts became staples not only in tabletop RPGs but also in early computer RPGs such as Ultima, Bard’s Tale, and Might and Magic.
Robert E. Howard’s Conan series contributed a grittier, more action-oriented form of fantasy. Its emphasis on personal strength, moral ambiguity, and survival influenced early Western RPGs that favored open-world exploration and violent combat. Michael Moorcock’s multiverse added philosophical depth and antihero narratives that inspired games to explore morally complex storytelling.
Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea series also shaped RPGs by introducing more introspective, socially conscious themes. Her portrayal of magic as a balance of power influenced how many games would conceptualize spellcasting systems in the future.
When video games emerged, developers used this literary groundwork as a blueprint. Early RPGs often mirrored the structure of fantasy novels: protagonists leaving home, confronting darkness, gathering allies, and facing world-altering threats. Even modern titles like Dragon Age, The Witcher, and Pillars of Eternity continue to draw from this heritage.
Western literature gave RPGs their narrative DNA—a blend of epic adventure, character growth, and mythic struggle that remains central to the genre’s identity today.