I came across this fantastic article at The Guardian about RPG books as, well, books (as opposed to game manuals).
“By putting aside simple narrative storytelling and replacing it with detailed description, the RPG offers the total immersion in an imaginary world so valued by geek readers. The elaboration of leading characters, political factions and major historical events is sometimes a very dry exercise in world building, but done with enough skill it can spark a deeply satisfying response”
It's a short read, but thought-provoking, and will hopefully inspire some people to pick up an RPG book, and just explore the world within its covers.
atae:
Inspirational to create some too.
catdad:
I have no interest in playing Eclipse Phase, but love the game universe and keep buying the books just to read. I think it would be a great MMORPG setting.