A History of Video Games in 64 Objects

By: World Video Game Hall of Fame

Narrated by: Ray Chase

Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Inspired by the groundbreaking A History of the World in 100 Objects, this book draws on the unique collections of The Strong museum in Rochester, New York, to chronicle the evolution of video games, from Pong to first-person shooters, told through the stories of dozens of objects essential to the field’s creation and development.

Drawing on the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s unmatched collection of video game artifacts, this fascinating history offers an expansive look at the development of one of the most popular and influential activities of the modern world: video gaming.

Sixty-four unique objects tell the story of the video game from inception to today. Pithy, in-depth essays examine each object’s significance to video game play - what it has contributed to the history of gaming - as well as the greater culture.

A History of Video Games in 64 Objects explains how the video game has transformed over time. Inside, you’ll find a wide range of intriguing topics, including:

• The first edition of Dungeons & Dragons - the ancestor of computer role-playing games
• The Oregon Trail and the development of educational gaming
• The Atari 2600 and the beginning of the console revolution
• A World of Warcraft server blade and massively multiplayer Online games
• Minecraft - the backlash against the studio system
• The rise of women in gaming represented by pioneering American video game designers Carol Shaw and Roberta Williams’ game development materials
• The prototype Skylanders Portal of Power that spawned the Toys-to-Life video game phenomenon and shook up the marketplace
• And so much more

A panorama of unforgettable anecdotes and factoids, A History of Video Games in 64 Objects is a treasure trove for gamers and pop culture fans. Let the gaming begin!

©2018 The Strong (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Great Book

First I have to say I love The Strong National Museum Of Play. When I heard of this book I knew I had to get it. I enjoyed the book it was an enjoyable listen. I found the object concept to be an interesting way to combine the items you can see at the museum and the history of video games. While at rhe museum you can see the item & get a brief history of that item, this gives the deep dive in to the objects & how the way it relates to other video game items & history.
All said I was upset by a couple minor thing. The Pronunciation of Ralph Baer's name. And Sega was Service Games not System Games before it was Sega. It my seem like nit-picking but little things like that make me question other fact I did know that if the book is correct or not.
Recommend this book to any video game history fan.

Loved every minute!

A fascinating look at some of the most influential objects that shaped the landscape of the videogame industry then and now. I've read/listened to a few "history of videogames" type books before and I still felt like I learned a lot. Ray does a great job narrating (he's easily become my favorite narrator), and my only complaint is that I wish it were longer.

Inspiring a visit to the Strong Museum

This is a brave and largely successful effort to identify the most influential games that shaped video game history. Although many will contest some of the selections of the games that reflect the history of the medium, this list is largely accurate with only two or three big omissions (Spacewar!, Colossal Cave Adventure and Centipede among them). Some of the explanations of the book’s objects in their attempts to instill the importance of a game are too hyperbolic (many uses of ‘of all time’) or use debunked game history stories such as the shortage of yen coins following Space Invaders launch in Japan. There are some memorable stories about donors relationship with the Strong Museum such as anecdote about the Her interactive Nancy Drew series. Any minor criticisms of these 64 objects and the book’s writing is small in comparison to the the desire to visit the Strong Museum one gets after reading.

great read

great background in video games. I highly suggest it if you're a gamer and want to know about it.