The Platinum Age of CRPGs

Matt Barton writes "I've just posted my third (and final) installment on CRPG history at GamaSutra: The Platinum and Modern Ages. This article covers the many classics released between 1994 and 2004, including Fallout, Planescape: Torment, Ultima Underworld, and of course Baldur's Gate, Diablo, and The Elder Scrolls. It also discusses why WoW and other MMORPGs aren't descended from these CRPGs (but rather MUDs). The Platinum Age produced the finest CRPGs ever made — but the future of the stand-alone, single-player CRPG looks grim."

Parts I and II

[Mortanius]

FYI, here's Part I (The Early Years 1980-1983) [gamasutra.com] and Part II (The Golden Age 1985-1993) [gamasutra.com].

Might save you a little digging as for some reason part I doesn't show up on his bio.

This guy needs an editor

[eviloverlordx]

Apparently, he thinks that Dante wrote Paradise Lost. While I think that he meant The Divine Comedy, he really needs someone to check his work.