Dream Park
by Larry Niven, Steven Barnes, Grover Gardner narrator · first published 1981
83% recommend17% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Fun, lighthearted science fiction with a detective plot set inside an elaborate live-action role-playing game; suits readers who enjoy cheesy, playful sci-fi and mystery-style puzzles.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
A gaming park where visitors come to have their fantasies fulfilled turns into a nightmare when a game turns to murder.
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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…new thing. Drones - expect more eyes in the sky, law enforcement, news, emergency services, etc. Augmented Reality - totally see this happening - and more https://vimeo.com/166807261 . Ever read the Dream Park series? (Larry Niven/Steven Barnes) Gonna be the future of gaming/sports.
on “Ask HN: Predict the future” ↗You might also try Dream Park by David Niven and Steve Barnes. I've only read the first book, but apparently there are two sequels as well. A detective joins a LARP group when he suspects one of the guests of being a thief and murderer.…
on “Ask HN: What are the best Sci-Fi books you've ever read?” ↗…fiction: * Spider series by W. Michael Gear * Forbidden Borders series by W. Michael Gear * The Change series (aka Emberverse) by S.M. Stirling (first 6) * The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey * Dream Park by Larry Niven and Stephen Barnes * In The Country of the Blind by Michael Flynn * Me by Thomas T. Thomas * A State of Disobedience by Tom Kratman * Merchant Princess series by Charles Stross * Daughter…
on “Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book?” ↗For anyone (like me) who likes their sci-fi fun and a bit cheesy I have a few recs: Dream Park - Larry Niven & Steven Barnes: A group of pretend adventurers suit up for a campaign called "The South Seas Treasure Game." As in the early Role Playing Games, there are Dungeon Masters, warriors, magicians,…
on “My favorite cult sci-fi and fantasy books you may not have heard of before” ↗I think that's true. The 1780 stuff can usually be dismissed as being something that no-one seriously believes any more. The 1980 one can't. It's not just the cultural stuff, though. I read Dream Park and the Barsoon Project when I was a kid. Loved them to bits. Recently I found a copy of The Voodoo Game in a second hand book store and finally finished the trilogy. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it,…
on “Lost Laughs in Leisure Suit Larry” ↗Usually things I get inspiration from; Dream Park series William Gibson Stuff: Difference Engine, Burning Chrome, Neuromancer Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Series Hackers - Steve Levy Graphic Idea Notebook & other pasteup era graphic design books…
on “Ask HN: Which books have you re-read the most?” ↗I wonder how those two stack up to "Dream Park" by Larry Niven?
on “Ask HN: I loved Snow Crash and Daemon. What should I read next?” ↗