Gaming History

Developing video games—hero's journey or fool's errand? The creative and technical logistics that go into building today's hottest games can be more harrowing and complex than the games themselves, often seeming like an endless maze or a bottomless abyss. In Blood, Sweat, and Pixels, Jason...

As the title says, this book is a brief look at the history of gaming. And it was written by YouTuber, author, educator and gamer, Anthony "Gamer" Ventrello. These articles originally appeared on the Google Classroom for the Level Up Gaming and Computer Club, at the high school he was teaching. They discuss everything from Mario, the video game crash of 1983/84, lost media, Pokemon, and whatever else seemed like something to write about at the time. Anthony "Gamer" Ventrello is a published writer, YouTuber, and teacher. He has been gaming since he first got his Atari 2600 in 1982. He makes ...

In the 1970s, Atari became the leader in home video gaming with the Atari 2600. But were they the first? And how did it evolve into the revolutionary games and systems of today? Listen to learn the answers to these questions and more.

The definitive behind-the-scenes history of video games’ explosion into the twenty-first century and the war for industry power “A zippy read through a truly deep research job. You won’t want to put this one down.”—Eddie Adlum, publisher, RePlay Magazine As video games evolve, only the...

How you can overcome it.

Getting Gamers will show that rather than being a waste of time, video games can help us develop skills, make friends, succeed at work, form good habits, and be happy. Taking the time to learn what's happening in our heads as we play and shop allows us to approach games and gaming communities on our own terms and get more out of them. With examples from the games themselves, Jamie Madigan offers a fuller understanding of the impact of games on our psychology and the influence of psychology on our games.

In the early 1980s, the video game industry was a collapsed fad, a billion-dollar business reduced to a wasteland of bankruptcies and bargain bins. From this commercial graveyard, an old Japanese playing card company named Nintendo emerged with a clever plan to resurrect the market in its own image. By establishing absolute control, Nintendo built a new empire and enjoyed a near-total monopoly, creating a generation for whom video games were synonymous with their name. This dominance could not last forever, attracting a formidable challenger in Sega, another Japanese company with a brash ...

Embark on a nostalgic journey with The Golden Age of Computer Adventure Gaming. This book meticulously chronicles the 1980s and 1990s, the most formative and influential period for these interactive odysseys. Discover the unique fusion of storytelling and puzzle-solving that beckoned millions to explore fantastical landscapes and unravel compelling mysteries. Journey through the ambitious legacies of pioneering companies like Sierra On-Line, Infocom, LucasArts, and many more who shaped the genre. Learn how these titans of text and pixels forged the very language of interactive narrative, ...

From the bestselling author of Blood, Sweat, and Pixels comes the next definitive, behind-the-scenes account of the video game industry: how some of the past decade's most renowned studios fell apart—and the stories, both triumphant and tragic, of what happened next. Jason Schreier's...

The story I just wrote is about the future of the Xbox gaming console. It explores the various areas of development that developers and gamers are excited about, including virtual and augmented reality technology, advanced AI and machine learning tools, cross-platform play, streaming and cloud-based gaming, hardware improvements, online communities and social features, and innovation and creativity. Throughout this book, statements from both developers and gamers are included to provide insight into what they are excited about and what they hope to see in the future of the Xbox console. I ...

Are you concerned about how much time your child spends playing video games? Have you seen changes in his or her behavior that are causing you to worry? Written by a family therapist, Parenting a Video Game Addict will give you the tools necessary to: Determine if your child might be addicted Talk to your child about his or her video game use in a constructive way Set solid limits and boundaries that actually work Gently but effectively guide your child towards healthier activities If you've tried everything and nothing has worked, it's time to use a different approach. Stop resorting to ...

Kids who love video games, especially Minecraft, will love the hilarious ‘Game on Boys’ series. Designed to appeal to the heart of any boy or girl with its captivating story lines, whacky illustrations and side-splitting humor, as well as lots of awesome gaming content. They won’t want to put it down. Ryan James is the video game master. Every-one at his school knows it, but there’s a new girl in town who is threatening to steal his thunder. When Mr Higginbottom spawns a new PlayStation competition at the school, she threatens to blitz the competition and she wants to join the PS ...

Are videogames bad for us? It's the question on everyone's mind, given teenagers' captive attention to videogames and the media's tendency to scapegoat them. It's also - if you ask clinical psychologist Alexander Kriss - the wrong question. In his therapy office, Kriss looks at videogames as a window into the mind. Is his patient Liz really "addicted" to Candy Crush - or is she evading a deeper problem? And when Jack immerses himself in Mass Effect, is he eroding his social skills - or honing them via relationship - building gameplay?

Games are everywhere: Drivers maneuvering in heavy traffic are playing a driving game. Bargain hunters bidding on eBay are playing an auctioning game. The supermarket's price for corn flakes is decided by playing an economic game. This Very Short Introduction offers a succinct tour of the fascinating world of game theory, a groundbreaking field that analyzes how to play games in a rational way.

Uncover the Secrets Behind Your Favorite Blocky World For years, you've explored the endless voxel landscapes, built towering structures, and battled the mysterious forces of Minecraft. But have you ever wondered - where did this all come from? What is the true story behind the world of blocks, redstone, and hostile mobs? Now, the epic prequel has been revealed. A Prequel takes you on a journey back in time, deep into the origins of the Minecraft universe. Discover the truth about the ancient "builders" - the advanced civilization that created the very foundations of the world you thought ...

An utterly original celebration of that which binds humanity across battle lines and history. On the island of Sicily amid the Peloponnesian War, the Syracusans have figured out what to do with the surviving Athenians who had the gall to invade their city: they’ve herded the sorry prisoners of...

The untold story of the woman who gave the world a weapon against one of its deadliest diseases. At the dawn of the 20th century, tuberculosis — known as “consumption” — was a relentless killer, claiming one out of every seven lives worldwide. Sanatoriums overflowed, families lived in fear, and early detection was little more than guesswork. Amid this crisis, a determined young scientist named Florence Seibert set out to change history. Crippled by childhood polio and dismissed by a male-dominated scientific establishment, Florence faced staggering obstacles. Through years of ...

The Roblox Revolution: A History s a comprehensive look at the history and impact of one of the world's largest online gaming platforms. The book explores the early days of Roblox and its evolution into a massive online community where users can create and share their own virtual worlds. From the introduction of Roblox Studio, which empowers users to become creators, to the success of popular games like Roblox High School and Adopt Me!, this book details the growth and impact of Roblox on the gaming world. Additionally, the book delves into the Roblox economy, including the virtual currency...

The definitive behind-the-scenes history of the dawn of video games and their rise into a multibillion-dollar business “For industry insiders and game players alike, this book is a must-have.”—Mark Turmell, designer for Midway Games and creator of NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, and WrestleMania ...

The untold story of how Japan became a cultural superpower through the fantastic inventions that captured—and transformed—the world’s imagination. “A masterful book driven by deep research, new insights, and powerful storytelling.”—W. David Marx, author of Ametora: How Japan...