Fighting Fantasy gamebook author ranking

[CharlesX]

Who are our more beloved Fighting Fantasy authors? The two founders? The people who wrote most, or the people who wrote just one extremely well? Are newer writers such as Rhianna Pratchett welcome to try again - or would we maybe like it if Jonathan Green wrote some more?
   Before the new FFs by Jackson & Livingstone are published, I'm running this ranking poll to determine our view of Fighting Fantasy authors. So, there will be a weekly poll of 4-5 authors in order of publication, and I'd like those interested to PM me their view of their Fighting Fantasy work on a scale of 1 - 10. Like Wilf's poll, there should be only whole numbers, it'd be best if the views aren't posted about in case they influence others, and I will remain silent about any numbers until passing a brief analysis after the entire outcome.
   Most deadlines will be for one week, however, if there is any special reason at all or any popular demand this can easily be extended half a week.
   I think this will be interesting as it will evaluate entire contributions to Fighting Fantasy over single books, it will determine whether reputations have been shining or tarnished over authors dedication to 'quality and quantity', and it will include their general contribution to FF, so things like variety\originality, interest, and audience.
   The criterion is simply how high a view of you have of their Fighting Fantasy work, so that might for example be based on your view of the quality of their gamebooks, how well they fit into the Fighting Fantasy universe, whether you would hope they would write more Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, the quantity of their Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, and the contributions of these gamebook authors to starting Fighting Fantasy material outside gamebooks, plus more. It's slightly subjective.
   So, the first 4 authors to be ranked by 10 p.m. Sunday 29 May are:

Steve Jackson (UK)
Ian Livingstone
Steve Jackson (USA)
Jamie Thomson

[CharlesX]

Just letting you know, if I don't have at least 5 participants by the end of Friday I will be ending this thread. Interest isn't looking good so that might well be what will happen  .

[terrysalt]

1) Jackson UK - he had a couple of misses but that's because he was actually willing to experiment and try new things. Most of his experiments were brilliant successes and he wrote some of my favourite books in the series.
2) Jackson US - It's basically a tie between Jamie and Steve 2. They each had 2 of their 3 books be ones I liked. Having to decide between them, I put Steve 2 slightly ahead because Scorpion Swamp and Robot Commando are great whereas...
3) Jamie Thomson - While Sword of the Samurai was great, Talisman was just good so Jamie has to take the losing side of the draw.
4) Ian Livingstone - Some of his early stuff was good but once he sunk into his formula, I lost a lot of interest in his work.

[vastariner]

SJUK - always bold and innovative
IL - because when he was good, he was very very good; also the second best writer
JT - because his forte was elsewhere; loved the Orb and Falcon series
SJUS - interesting but somewhat forgiving and not particularly deep - Robot Commando for instance felt disengaging

[CharlesX]

With a pathetic 2 people who have PM'd me after 5 days, in a thread which requires higher turnout and 7 days turnover, it seems pretty safe to say this is a dead one.
   * Puts flowers on grave *  .

[kieran]

May 27, 2022 18:04:17 GMT CharlesX said:

With a pathetic 2 people who have PM'd me after 5 days, in a thread which requires higher turnout and 7 days turnover, it seems pretty safe to say this is a dead one.
   * Puts flowers on grave *  .

Ah that's a shame

[petch]

Agreed kieran, I thought it was a nice idea Charles...never mind!

[tyrion]

Maybe do an actual poll? Easier for people to participate in.