Traits of (American) Steve Jackson’s gamebooks

[bloodbeasthandler]

Maybe a bit silly to draw absolute conclusions from just three gamebooks – Scorpion Swamp, Demons of the Deep and Robot Commando. But anyway... agree, disagree, amplify as you wish.

1 Multiple victory endings. Always. For example defeat pirates with specialised fish, unleash the undead or set a dragon on them.

 
2 Generally fair combats, lower SKILL adventurers could and should apply.

 
3 Innovative. Spell gems, and different robots to be piloted.

4 Could be set anywhere or for any gamebook brand? Fantasy ones not really Titan based. [not a criticism, Titan was undeveloped when he was writing]

[deadshadowrunner]

5) Pushed the boundaries of gamebook design. In terms of allowing free rein in exploration, even allowing for revisiting areas. Structurally, his books can be seen as the predecessors to Fabled Lands. Less so for Demons of the Deep.

6) Greater emphasis on game than story.

[kieran]

That's very true about Fabled Lands. Wonder if Steve inspired Dave Morris and Jamie Thomson at all or the similarities are just coincidental?

7) Quirkiness - Demons of the Deep and Robot Commando are both quite weird concepts for the series. Sky Lord and Spectral Stalkers are the only books I would consider similarly weird.