According to Connelley, his motivations to create "Temple of Apshai" were "the popularity of noncomputer role-playing games" and the opportunity "to create a graphics-oriented adventure game". Like most early computer RPGs, "Temple of Apshai" was influenced by "Dungeons & Dragons". Both Connelley and Freeman played "Dungeons & Dragons" in a group where Connelley acted as the Dungeon Master. An advertisement for "Temple of Apshai" called the game a "version of Dungeons and Dragons" and described Connelly as an experienced "Dungeon Master, running continuous D & D campaigns". The game's documentation included instructions for importing pen-and-paper role-playing game player characters.