{
  "id": 9482643,
  "title": "The Industrial Revolution is the reason RPGs have area-of-effect spells: A PC Gamer Causality Chain™",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/the-industrial-revolution-is-the-reason-rpgs-have-area-of-effect",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-24T04:00:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PC Gamer",
    "slug": "pc-gamer",
    "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/the-industrial-revolution-is-the-reason-rpgs-have-area-of-effect-spells-a-pc-gamer-causality-chaintm/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Industrial Revolution, spanning from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, brought about significant technological advancements such as improvements in the steam engine and the use of coke instead of charcoal in blast furnaces. These changes greatly affected daily life, leading to the widespread adoption of machine tools and the factory system. In parallel, historical figures like J.R.R. Tolkien were deeply impacted by the rapid industrialization occurring around them, shaping their later works. Tolkien's hometown, once a thriving countryside, bore the scars of industrialization, giving rise to the \"Black Country\" moniker. This period of intense industrial growth also laid the groundwork for the development of area-of-effect spells in role-playing games (RPGs), as evidenced by Leonard Patt's Rules for Middle Earth, which introduced a fireball spell with area-of-effect mechanics and a saving throw mechanic.",
  "summary": "Spl-ASH damage.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The Industrial Revolution's impact on daily life and the works of historical figures like Tolkien indirectly influenced the development of area-of-effect spells in role-playing games, changing their design.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}