YOU are the YouTuber | Fighting Fantasy Interactive History

[@MiniatureRealms]

This is a fantastic way of telling this story, I hope everyone who watches plays along and enjoys the journey.

[@rp7155]

Definitely! Perfect marriage of form and content!

[@ricardorios492]

I used to borrow these books for my own adventure, it’s fun for me to know where I go next

[@pagancrew]

Lovely concept, and excellent thumbnail artwork (well done to the artist, and to you for commissioning it!)

[@jordansorcery]

Hany’s work is really special, so glad he was able to help bring the concept to life!

[@Knoffles]

Excellent as ever. I loved deathtrap dungeon, I think it was the love of that book that drew me to Heroquest (memories a bit hazy after that many years). I did love the world book Titan as it was the first time I had seen the dragonspell picture by Chris Archilenous and it blew me away, even more that the other great art found in the book!

[@ricardorios492]

Sword and sorcery and heavy metal YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[@jimmygodfrey4119]

Oh, those book covers!... From just gazing at them, I can smell the local town library again, circa 1986 😅

[@mikewicked.x]

I had a whole bunch of these as a kid in the 80s. Wish I still had them, but donated them after highschool. Had a lot of fun with this - must've been a great effort. Thanks. :)

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you for taking part, Mike!

[@davidclegg7560]

What an amazing series of videos, and the presentation is perfect for the subject. I credit Fighting Fantasy for my love of reading and my love of gaming, and you've made me want to go back and reread a lot of my childhood favourites. Thank you for these.

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks so much for your support David! I’m really glad you enjoyed the adventure. I had a lot of fun putting it together and revisiting many of my own formative fantasy memories, they were such influential books!

[@trentonbaird8956]

Pro tip: liking the video will show you which ones you’ve ready seen… Well-played Jordan Sorcery. Well-played.

[@jordansorcery]

A seasoned adventurer, I see!

[@imperatorandros9947]

I never play FF,but i think that the illustrations are awesome. The 80s in matter of art was masters . You should made a serie about the illustrators of Warhammer, Fighting Fantasy, and GW stuff in general. Not only the great big ,like Blanche or Ackland ,but also Russ Nicholsson and Martin McKenna.

[@jordansorcery]

I think some artist biographies would be really interesting, definitely something I’ll think about!

[@KnTenshi2]

This'll be fun. I hope that KZbin doesn't change how linking videos work (like how they got rid of annotations), so that videos like this series don't break.

[@Ant_101]

Great video. Making it interactive was an inspired choice. I promise I didn't keep my thumb in any of the previous pages... honest. Now I need to go through again and see which bits I missed.

[@AmalgamAsh]

This is my greatest conquest: to obtain every volume of the dragon banner run (the Puffin editions I believe). Also, excellent and underdone video series format.

[@jordansorcery]

I love that dragon banner, absolutely fantastic and timeless design!

[@JoePescisAngryCousin]

Recently found this channel and I'm absolutely absorbed. It's great to hear someone talking about Fighting Fantasy. These books got me into reading.

[@NisGaarde]

Awesome! Here in Denmark these were published under the 'Sværd & Trolddom' (Sword & Sorcery) name. They're still published in Danish by a local publishing company.

[@godofzombi]

'Sværd & Trolddom' sounds cool.

[@Mr_Waffle.]

Wish I'd known about this series as a kid, it sounds like an endless amount of fun to get lost in!

[@bassboomboing]

FF was my gateway into fantasy.

[@Mark-nh2hs]

The thumbnail art is great plus the Fur Beast is present - the stars have aligned lol

[@PaulGirdlestone]

I was actually tempted once to do a reading of Warlock of Firetop Mountain and House of Hell, my two favourites. I was going to have each section end with you clicking on a page number which would link to the next video. I was able to get around the combat by just telling the player to fight and if they win click here and if they lose click there, while displaying the enemy and their stats on the screen. I recorded around half of Firetop Mountain but became too busy to ever finish it. Just an extra I tried making an interactive powerpoint version of Legend of Zagor, but that was just taking too long again.

[@karelsochor1812]

Thank you so much for this video. Gamebooks from Fighting Fantasy ware a big part of my childhood.

[@Haanzer]

Immensely satisfying video(s). The gimmick was a lot of fun, but the content was rich, well researched and delivered with passion and charm. Absolutely loved this!

[@mikenolan73]

Fantastic series of videos, an amazing effort. I first discovered Fighting Fantasy in my primary school library (in truth it was just a wheeled bookcase that was pushed in and out of each classroom!). I distinctly remember bringing home "City of Thieves" and the first Grailquest book "Castle of Darkness". Then I tore through any FF books in my local public library. I supplemented any missing books from their collection by buying books with my pocket money - Citadel of Chaos was my first purchase. I eventually got the Fighting Fantasy roleplaying book and ran an adventure with my mates. Even though the campaign didn't last very long the FF books had primed me for roleplaying games and the FF rpg itself helped me understand the basic concepts of a roleplaying game.

[@jordansorcery]

City of Thieves is a dynamite place to start!

[@karstb8830]

Fun fact! Fighting Fantasy is actually the reason that Final Fantasy has its name! The designers wanted a title that could be abbreviated FF in English, and were leaning towards Fighting Fantasy, but since that was taken already the designers settled on Final Fantasy instead!

[@odgeUK]

I didn't really understand the combat system so just moved through the books and assumed I won every combat! And yet they were still super engaging. Oh the hours spent reading...and the positive effect on my Vocabulary was significant.

[@jordansorcery]

I’ve definitely been guilty of skipping a few fights over the years!

[@morgandeane5331]

Amazing set of videos, I'm back to try again :)

[@Jackalblade9]

My gods that was an adventure and a half, sir, and one dear to my heart. My first experience with the series was with Sorcery! by Steve Jackson. I bought The Seven Serpents and The Crown of Kings and the spell book used from my local library when I was in high school and absolutely loved them, but I'd have to wait until I was in my 40s before I could finally get my hands on The Shamutanti Hills and Khare': Cityport Of Traps. And, as an American, I'm embarrassed to admit that until I had access to the internet I always thought Steve Jackson of Sorcery! and Steve Jackson of Steve Jackson Games was the same man. That was an eye-opener... But this was my first experience with an interactive book that also involved game mechanics, and I loved it. I also loved how it was left up to us to define our character as we played, which is probably why my further experiences with Lone Wolf and Way of the Tiger didn't resonate as strongly with me. The art in the Sorcery! series too...there's nothing like John Blanche. All of my Fighting Fantasy books are used and well-worn copies, and most of them purchased from local libraries, and there's so many good ones, and so many more I don't yet own. Thanks so much for this in-depth, and fun, look at one of the high points of my youth, sir!

[@jordansorcery]

I think that Steve Jackson confusion caught us all at one point or another! Thanks for taking on the quest and sharing your journey! I’m pleased you enjoyed it!

[@brenthartman502]

I had so many of these books... and the dungeons and dragons ones as well. Awesome stuff. Alas only a few left now.

[@housewife2000]

This is amazing - absolutely wizard-level commitment to the format & theme! Incredibly informative and thorough - and I loved the references to Trap Door and the Usborne Puzzle Adventures (any chance of a video on them at some point?). Really great work - thank you for putting this together!

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you, I’m pleased to hear you enjoyed it! I’d love to spend some time on those puzzle books one day!

[@tomsteer3485]

Absolutely genius idea, thank you for making this!

[@jordansorcery]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it!

[@xdude736]

This was masterfully done! I would love for someone to do an interactive fantasy story on youtube in this style!!!

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you! I would love to do a straight up fantasy adventure like this one day!

[@slavaukraini1991]

They always said use a pencil but I treated my books like they were too good to be written in. As the numbers entered the 40s in terms of releases I always felt the adventure quality was starting to dip, the most memorable adventures seemed to be the lower numbers!

[@GlennGriffin]

“You turn left, heading north for half a day. Eventually you come to two paths in the road with an old wooden sign that says the left path leads to the Like button, (turn to page 241) the right leading to the subscribe button (turn to page 19).” I choose the dragon!

[@rp7155]

What a brilliant idea! Loving this!!

[@benedictsingleton980]

Wow, this whole thing was so creative. Great stuff.

[@mattclerico2691]

Jordan, I’ve been a fan for some time now….but this was genius! Bravo sir!

[@jordansorcery]

You’re very kind, I’m just glad it worked!

[@konstakesala2404]

Wow! What a journey that was! I'm really enjoying your stuff, man!

[@jordansorcery]

I’m glad you lived to tell the tale!

[@matthewwalford245]

Superb stuff - make sure you watch each and every video!!!

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

Clever use of the YT interface.

[@marcelschadt9773]

Loved this series. Great and innovative way of paying homage to the books. Must have taken you some effort to map this out. Thank you!

[@jordansorcery]

Cheers Marcel! It definitely took a while to get it straightened out that’s for sure!

[@danroberts007]

I vote BIRD! Seems the least deadly, so fingers crossed this isn’t a trick. What a fun concept, Jordan, I’m looking forward to our adventure.

[@jordansorcery]

I hope that prodigious bird didn’t get you!

[@rubensosaortiz8230]

This is my favorite youtube video ever, i tried all the options, i'm still hooked! love your videos, keep it up!

[@garysmith6218]

Appointment with F.E.A.R. (the superhero one) was the most difficult I ever came across. Never beat it.

[@mattcunnington1972]

the two headed giant sounds interesting

[@twincast2005]

Great experience! Highly informative! Tremendous fun! 😁

[@jordansorcery]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@pennycunningham1215]

Really looking forward to exploring the choices! I really hope there are a couple of Insta-deaths that take us to Rick Astley 😁

[@keepcalmandre-roll5480]

This is such an awesome idea :) have to admit, being born during a thunderstorm I went straight for the dragon

[@jordansorcery]

You have to be brave to become a dragon slayer!

[@michaelpurvis7324]

I'm here for the second time, excellent fun.

[@machfront]

Yank here! Born in 1974. Began playing in 1986. I/we were not exposed to FF (though a few titles were published here). Thankfully Lone Wolf was and we had a huge amount of other game books. Thankfully, not just LW, but also D&D Super Endless Quest, later AD&D game books actually had character sheets, rules, etc. I only discovered the wonderful FF world, being a fan of old-school stuff. I’d no idea there was a full-fledged (flawed) rpg and an ‘advanced’ iteration (also flawed). No matter. I love older stuff. I love rules-lite stuff! (Thank goodness games like Troika! carry on the FFRPG and clones like Spellzard do it better and in it’s spirit! I’ve a weakness for this old, UK stuff! Always loved UK rpg artists during my days as a D&D or T&T or MERP fan in the 80s and beyond! I’m here for it, gent! I turn to 400 right now! Haha! Cheers!

[@prodigalsorcerer1415]

Wow, very well done! I bet you're an awesome gm.

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks! I think I'm ok, though my players may disagree!

[@robodog3571]

I never read any and now regret that. Somehow I only ever discovered the choose your own adventure series. These videos reminded me that a few years ago I happened to find a copy of the 1980 GW game Warlock, The game of dueling wizards in a charity shop in excellent condition. Its a card game with cards I now know were illustrated by Russ Nicholson. Have you come across it?

[@jordansorcery]

I’ve seen it but never played it - I hear it was a little odd?

[@thehappyogryn]

got to dig out my old books again...and give it another run...i forgot how many runs i've done. No way...i just died in the 2nd video...lol

[@user-ii1iy8fz1d]

Thankyou again good sir. Your in-depth knowledge os amazing, and has furthered my appreciation of the games and tales that accompanied my boyhood. Gratitude. Have you ever played, or gone into palladium books immense and immersive rifts rpg? Take care you and puss in strange days. ❤ My favourite ff books were night dragon and vault of the vampire.

[@jordansorcery]

I inherited a couple of Palladium and Rifts books when I was younger and it went totally over my head - they felt like economics text books! I’d like to check them out again one day though as I think I’d get more out of them now

[@batjutsu]

An amazing overview, thank you. Squeak-Squeak 🐀🌠

[@robertblackmore703]

This is a cool idea. Looking forward to it.

[@jordansorcery]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@robertblackmore703]

@@jordansorcery I ran out of time and had to go to work, but I’m gonna finish it later lol! Good stuff

[@TheBattlinBarrowGaming]

Yes! My like to this video made it reach....400!

[@jordansorcery]

Perfect stuff!

[@veritanuda]

Great idea :) And nicely pitched.

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you!

[@McFordWilliam]

Great Idea, I love the Fighting Fantasy Books.

[@Mark-nh2hs]

I still have 6 of my copies back from the 80s as a youngster - be it very battered and sun bleached lol.

[@ZacharyEvans]

This is incredible. I wish I wasn't subscribed, so I could sub all over again.

[@jordansorcery]

Very kind words, thank you!

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks.

[@jayhunter100]

Amazing stuff mate. I cannot for the life of me figure out the ultra secret secret re key and door though 😢

[@jordansorcery]

Thank you!

[@eisenphx980]

Interesting concept if not for me. I look forward to your linear version in the future.

[@firebless8262]

You reach the end of the video and ponder: You thoroughly get pumped and dust off your old Fighting Fantasy books. Give the video one like wanting to give it ten. Go to 100 or You didnt think much of it, and dont give it a like. Go to 69 100: You go on to live happily ever after. Congratulations, you won the game. 69: You are condemned to playing Monopoly at family gatherings. You try to sneak a board game from your collection but they tell you if it plays like Monopoly. Try again.

[@YousephTanha]

Action? Adventure? A KZbinr caves not these.... Oh who the hell I am I kidding. The Prodigious Bird it is.

[@GranthamStreet]

I’ve got two dice, a pencil and an eraser. I’m ready to go.

[@jordansorcery]

May your stamina never fail

[@tomsears4277]

Love this!

[@RoninAquila]

Good Gentleman 😊🐱 Please tackle *the* best (unofficial) sequel to James Cameron’s “Aliens” (Director’s Cut) The “Space Hulk” board-game saga. 😊

[@stephenneedham106]

I've enjoyed this quest, but I hope you will upload a linear version?

[@jordansorcery]

I’m going to take a look at sharing a cut-down and linear version at some point in the future, but it will take a little work so I’m not sure yet when that will be

[@stephenneedham106]

No drama, I played the game, and the concept is sssssoooo good and original! but I like to listen to your videos while I'm walking to work looming forward to the rest of the Warhammer history

[@templarsking]

Awesome Jordan, really enjoying your channel and rediscovering my love for the fantasy and sci-fi of the era (80s-90s kid here). This Fighting Fantasy quest video was amazing, but I feel like I have missed a 'key' item that would allow me to pass through the brick wall. Does it exist? Any hints for a new fan?

[@jordansorcery]

Glad you’re enjoying the channel! My guess is that a key needs a portal, might be worth a good look at any walls you’ve come across?

[@templarsking]

Thanks, Jordan! I have traversed the path of the sigils a few more times. I have come to the three pronged fork where one of the sigils is the sword and the last the unyielding wall. I still as of yet have not collected any key. I have scoured the wall for any hidden portals, but alas, was informed my adventure had still come to an end. Have I missed the key along an earlier path? This wall, yields not, apparently, without it.

[@templarsking]

(It's also possible my smartphone isn't playing nice in letting me tap on any hidden portals upon the wall)

[@jordansorcery]

There’s a portal on that wall somewhere, which if you can use with a key word of some kind will likely show you what you what you seek (if not just drop me an email or DM!)

[@TheMrBigT77]

This is not just a couple of videos! How long did this take to make?

[@m00nk7d]

Warlock on firetop mountain🥰... But beware daring adventurer, beware for it gateway many never return from... It is a gateway into a mighty void, the deeper you venture, the less chance of return however, I can guarantee you wouldn't want to anyway... My love for these books is too REAL they literally make me swell up ffs so many great memories!!!! I had every one too omg... these Titles got me into M.E.R.P and Dungeons and Dragons, then Warhammer, Dark Conspiracy, Friday Night Firefight, Cyberpunk, CP2020. To the people behind it, its just business a way to make money, but to the players and GMs it is far far surpasses the value of money! PRICELESS!!! My choice is Prodigious Bird. I am enjoying your efforts... keep up the good work a new sub and the bell icon tickled... see you in your next upload!

[@daminguez]

Genius idea for a video. NICE

[@thecosmic8248]

Very interesting!

[@NMF76]

You'd make a good Yaztromo the wizard from Fighting Fantasy! 👍

[@wannabkain4400]

Second attempt 😂 finished it once but I want more lol

[@jordansorcery]

A brave adventurer, indeed!

[@matttemple7023]

Amazing 😮 just …. amazing ❤

[@leighwoosey]

Yeyyy!!!

[@GrimSqueaker]

Ooooooh exciting

[@aldoth]

Love it

[@jordansorcery]

Thanks!

[@godofzombi]

I can't brain today. I read the video title and went: What is Fantasy Interactive and why should we be fighting it? Before I realised it was the history of Fighting Fantasy.

[@mossena]

Let me grab some Provisions and I'm ready to go

[@Geekaylee]

As much as I love this concept, is there a straight through linear version? I mostly listen to your vids on a phone while pottering about cleaning/washing up so selecting the next section is a PITA?

[@doctorjohnsmith3653]

Also this doesn't seem to work on mobile browsers?

[@jordansorcery]

The way all the sections are written wouldn’t really work just sticking them together so it’ll take a little rejigging, but I am planning to make a linear cut-down version available in the future. I’m not sure when that’ll be yet though!

[@jordansorcery]

Sorry to hear it’s not working on your phone. I was only able to test on iPhone, desktop, and PlayStation which all seemed to work ok so I was hoping it would would on most formats

[@Geekaylee]

@@jordansorcery Brilliant, I treat a lot of YT like podcasts while painting/washing up/etc so eagerly await the non-interactive version!

[@josephshriner2850]

Two headed giant

[@JustMe-ts8bn]

The bird

[@benjackson-ellery4267]

Sadly, I don't know why but youtube thumbnails don't operate on my devices. So I have to.just put up with being unable to quest.

[@benjackson-ellery4267]

Eventually figured it out. Thank you for the adventure!

[@Blacknight8850]

Page 28 You have uploaded your video, but alas! It has been automatically flogged by the mysterious and archaic *_KZbin Copyright Detection Algorithm!_* All those hours of researching, filming and rendering are about to go to waste! If you know which bit of the video is getting flagged (because, let's face it, using a clip that long was asking for trouble) edit the clip out and proceed to page 35 to re-render the video. If you don't know, return to page 14, and this time try to roll higher than a 3 on your Luck!

[@jordansorcery]

This rightly gave me the heebie-jeebies! I have heeded your wise warning and erred on the side of caution with a few tweaks!

[@kood995]

You may want to turn off autofocus.

[@jordansorcery]

Thankfully I managed to fix the issue later on. This was still my favourite intro though, despite the problem

[@unholyduckman]

HUZZA

[@icecream1963e]

dragon

[@richardmcdonald4741]

Comment No. 72

[@danielgarciamorillas588]

second

[@StephenBates_IT]

Call me cynical if you like, but this just seems like a way of artificially inflating the views on a video as people come back to open each option. I don't have the patience for this so sorry I'm out, a shame because it's a interesting topic.