As a fantasy-loving nerd who came of age in the '80s, I was fascinated by the role-playing game ''Dungeons & Dragons.'' Fortunately, I didn't know anyone else who cared, so I didn't get drawn into the cult. But I've been a sucker ever since for the electronic games that were inspired by it, from 1981's ''Wizardry'' to the ongoing ''Final Fantasy'' series.

News from the virtual world: -A RISKY BET: When Billy Levy and Zack Zeldin were roommates in Miami Beach, they played ''Madden NFL'' for $100 a game. Now the guys are betting that there are plenty of other gamers who like to ''make things interesting,'' and they're about to start a Web site where players can put their money where their joystick thumbs are.