In Extra Lives, acclaimed writer and life-long video game enthusiast Tom Bissell takes the reader on an insightful and entertaining tour of the art and meaning of video games.
In just a few decades, video games have grown increasingly complex and sophisticated, and the companies that produce them are now among the most profitable in the entertainment industry. Yet few outside this world have thought deeply about how these games work, why they are so appealing, and what they are capable of artistically. Blending memoir, criticism, and first-rate reportage, Extra Lives is a milestone work about what might be the dominant popular art form of our time.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By mboaj
Format:Paperback
I loved reading this book. The interviews give a lot of insite about the backstage of game development and made me go back and play most of the games.
By Syriat
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Video games have got a pretty bad reputation really. Blamed for violence, anti-social behaviour and a lot of societies other ills they don't get good press coverage. This book is one man's attempt to explain why video games matter. Its done by using several games he has played (all console games such as Far Cry 2, Fallout 3, GTAIV and others) to explain this and also interviewing some of the designers of those games.
There are some parts of this book that work very well. The description of the beginning of Resident Evil was very funny and reminded me of my first play of that game. The parts on GTA rampages also made me laugh, I am never that inventive. You can obviously tell that the author has a love/hate relationship with many of these games. The appendices are great and the interview with Sir Peter Molyneux (designer of Fable) is very good indeed. What doesn't work so well is when it veers into an almost university textbook density of technical narrative discussion particularly when it discusses ludo narrative dissonance repeatedly. This term refers to when the cut scenes run counter to the players controllable actions. Or rather than the player is killing without a whim and yet the cut scenes portray that character as an angel (as an example). This is an important point but the book gets too bogged down with it. I also didn't enjoy the final GTAIV section where the authors own addiction to cocaine is also included and compared to a video game. For an author who is trying to explain why video games matter this is neither helpful or wise in my opinion.
Its a good book. But suffers from ludo narrative dissonance in itself. Its author claims to love games. But too often it reads that he likes games but gets frustrated with them even more. Thereby defeating the object. I did enjoy it. The section on Fallout 3 has made me start that game again. I recommend the book for gamers. But I don't love it and find it as frustrating as the author finds many of the games he discusses because of the reasons above.
There are some parts of this book that work very well. The description of the beginning of Resident Evil was very funny and reminded me of my first play of that game. The parts on GTA rampages also made me laugh, I am never that inventive. You can obviously tell that the author has a love/hate relationship with many of these games. The appendices are great and the interview with Sir Peter Molyneux (designer of Fable) is very good indeed. What doesn't work so well is when it veers into an almost university textbook density of technical narrative discussion particularly when it discusses ludo narrative dissonance repeatedly. This term refers to when the cut scenes run counter to the players controllable actions. Or rather than the player is killing without a whim and yet the cut scenes portray that character as an angel (as an example). This is an important point but the book gets too bogged down with it. I also didn't enjoy the final GTAIV section where the authors own addiction to cocaine is also included and compared to a video game. For an author who is trying to explain why video games matter this is neither helpful or wise in my opinion.
Its a good book. But suffers from ludo narrative dissonance in itself. Its author claims to love games. But too often it reads that he likes games but gets frustrated with them even more. Thereby defeating the object. I did enjoy it. The section on Fallout 3 has made me start that game again. I recommend the book for gamers. But I don't love it and find it as frustrating as the author finds many of the games he discusses because of the reasons above.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Bobby
Format:Hardcover
Excellent read. Even though I had not played some of the games discussed, the way that the author has described his experiences within the game worlds brings memories of similar feelings experienced in other titles. After reading this book you start to see games through new eyes, thinking in much more detail about how it affects you and how you want to be affected by a game.
Many people think games as just that, games, but they are fast becoming the new art form for the 21st century. Mr Bissell discusses many high points and the limitation of games in a way that is thought provoking and insightful.
Many people think games as just that, games, but they are fast becoming the new art form for the 21st century. Mr Bissell discusses many high points and the limitation of games in a way that is thought provoking and insightful.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bringing video games to life
If you like Douglas Coupland or Hunter S Thompson and you are interested in games - even a little - you will enjoy this book. Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2011 by R. Parry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Games Matter
I Love Videogames.
Because of this I read a lot of news on a website called IGN.
Because of this I became aware of, and read articles authored by, Michael... Read more
Because of this I read a lot of news on a website called IGN.
Because of this I became aware of, and read articles authored by, Michael... Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2010 by OJ Skillman-Wilson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Superfluous
Most of the time it seems like Tom is selling these big mainstream AAA titles that every 12 year kid has played. Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2010 by Tommib
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