[Bankuei]

Hi,

Funny enough, the only thing which I really disagree with you on is that maps with basic descriptions are "bad adventures". The fact is, they're simply different, and, until later in the 80's and early 90's, were the mainstay of most adventures period. See, the thing is, a lot of game adventures give you a prescripted plot, and for many people that has become not just the default, but the only way you can have an adventure.

If you're interested in checking out some old school games where that works in some intereting ways- check out some Tunnels and Trolls adventures (not the solo ones, which, are basically choose-your-own adventures). I just got the 5.5 reprint that came with "Castle Ward" by Michael Stackpole, which lays out this wonderful backstory of love and tragedy, then overlays it to a simple map with encounters. Though the encounters are simple- it's very easy to take the backstory and run with it further- without necessarily requiring a prescripted story.

Chris