Maurice W. Suckling teaches and researches games at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY. He is also a game designer. His first published game was Driver (1999) for the PlayStation, for which he wrote the script. The game won a BAFTA in the Interactive: Moving Images category. Since then, he has worked on over 50 published video games, including Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014), Civilization VI (2016), and Lost Words: Beyond the Page (2020). He has also published five board games. His second published game, Chancellorsville: 1863 (2020) won the Charles S. Roberts Award for the Best American Civil War Era Board wargame in 2021.
"The study of gaming is a burgeoning and exciting academic field. However, we have lacked rigorous academic examination of the foundational core of contemporary gaming -- wargaming and historical simulations. Suckling's work in Paper Time Machines finally rectifies this deficit. This book is mandatory reading for academics, and established and aspiring game designers alike. - Jason Matthews, game designer Maurice Suckling has written a highly informative book that gives sound guidance to readers who may want to add their own contributions to the practice of civilian wargaming. It is also long overdue that game studies took this sector seriously. - Brian Train, wargame designer This book gives us a unique vision of the game design process from the inside, as exposed by a creative and innovative author in full activity. I heartily recommend this very accessible text to anyone who wants to gain a good understanding of the ""tools of the trade"" and their practical use in recreating history in game form. - Riccardo Masini, wargame expert and YouTube vlogger"