Game Inventories was a serial in five parts that ran here at ihobo.com from August 31st to September 28th 2016. Within it, pairs of games are examined, and the lineage connections between them are considered, especially in connection with inventory practices. Each of the parts ends with a link to the next one, so to read the entire serial, simply click on the first link below, and then follow the “next” links to read on.

Here are the five parts:

1. Game Inventories (1): Minecraft and Dungeon Master
2. Game Inventories (2): The Bard's Tale and Dungeons & Dragons
3. Game Inventories (3): Diablo and Daggerfall
4. Game Inventories (4): Resident Evil 4 and X-Com
5. Game Inventories (5): EverQuest and MUDs

Special thanks to Erlend Grefsrud, Griddle Octopus, Doug Hill, Jacobo Luengo, Sketchwhale, Oscar Strik, VR Sam, Worthless Bums, and José Zagal for contributing to brief discussions on Twitter that helped shape this short serial. Additionally, and this always the case when I talk of the history of games, I am indebted to my friend and colleague Richard Boon. 

If you enjoyed this serial, please leave a comment. Thank you!