Vintage Games
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"Vintage Games is an impressive and entertaining read if you are interested in the video game industry. Reading about how such an interesting industry came to where it is today is very fun, and seeing how it got here on such specific levels such as genre and mechanics is even better. The easy to read categorization of the information works. Whether you're a new gamer yearning for a history lesson on your favorite hobby or a veteran wanting to read up on your favorite classics, Vintage Games has what you're looking for."--GameIndustry and GameInformer.com "A study on video games - particularly those video games which have had the greatest influence on the market today, whether they were big successes at retail, genre-defining or even genre-creating. Vintage Games has a superb layout - each chapter is accompanied by a variety of screenshots, promotional materials and other paraphenalia, all in full colour. The text is masterfully written; it's sharp, insightful and to-the-point and doesn't suffer from the stuffiness of other academically focused video game publications. Vintage Games is highly recommended reading. If you are looking to learn more about the origins of some of the most influential video games to date, then Vintage Games' wonderful layout and clear, concise and insightful writing make it a vital resource."--RetgroGamesAus.com
Product Description
"Vintage Games" explores the most influential videogames of all time, including Super Mario Bros., Grand Theft Auto III, Doom, The Sims and many more. Drawing on interviews as well as the authors' own lifelong experience with videogames, this book discusses each game's development, predecessors, critical reception, and influence on the industry. It also features hundreds of full-color screenshots and images, including rare photos of game boxes and other materials. "Vintage Games" is the ideal book for game enthusiasts and professionals who desire a broader understanding of the history of videogames and their evolution from a niche to a global market. This book: explores the gameplay, history, development, and influence of the most important videogames of all time; includes material from interviews, contemporary reviews, manuals, and other primary and secondary sources; identifies and analyzes key concepts behind each videogame; and, features hundreds of exclusive, full-color images.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I stumbled across this while trawling the game books on this site and decided to buy it. I'll admit that being neither a big fan of Super Mario and GTA I didn't expect too much but boy was I wrong.
The authors have done an excellent job of selecting the games in the book. The expected ones are all accounted for, Pac man, Space Invaders, Super Mario Bros, Tetris and Ultima. But amongst them are games like Alone in The Dark, Dune II, Castle Wolfenstein and Kings Quest not to forget one of the most influential games of all time, Doom. In total there are 25 games in the book plus a host of online bonus chapters like Elite (BBC Micro). It also covers many different genres so there is something for everybody.
All the chapters come with full colour screen shots of the game being discussed which is brilliant.
It describes the various game play elements and contains quotes from the game creators themselves on how they solved a particular problem or how they managed to achieve their vision. It also mentions which games it went on to influence and for those who perhaps aren't as well versed in the history of games, it's interesting to trace a family tree from the original right down to the current big budget production. There are also links to some other excellent books which just goes to show how well researched it is.
I would have liked more discussion on how certain later games borrowed from the original as opposed to just mentioning a list a games with similar game play mechanics. For example, a bit more coverage of Thief - The Dark Project (from the Castle Wolfenstein chapter)would have been nice. However, Resident Evil is discussed in more detail in the Alone in the Dark chapter. But this is only a small personal complaint and certainly not anything that would prevent the enjoyment of the book. If anything, it might encourage readers to investigate these titles further.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much so that I have gone back and played through Dune II again (Diablo is begging for attention as well) and I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially younger gamers (not kids mind you) who would like to know more about the history of video games.
The authors have done an excellent job of selecting the games in the book. The expected ones are all accounted for, Pac man, Space Invaders, Super Mario Bros, Tetris and Ultima. But amongst them are games like Alone in The Dark, Dune II, Castle Wolfenstein and Kings Quest not to forget one of the most influential games of all time, Doom. In total there are 25 games in the book plus a host of online bonus chapters like Elite (BBC Micro). It also covers many different genres so there is something for everybody.
All the chapters come with full colour screen shots of the game being discussed which is brilliant.
It describes the various game play elements and contains quotes from the game creators themselves on how they solved a particular problem or how they managed to achieve their vision. It also mentions which games it went on to influence and for those who perhaps aren't as well versed in the history of games, it's interesting to trace a family tree from the original right down to the current big budget production. There are also links to some other excellent books which just goes to show how well researched it is.
I would have liked more discussion on how certain later games borrowed from the original as opposed to just mentioning a list a games with similar game play mechanics. For example, a bit more coverage of Thief - The Dark Project (from the Castle Wolfenstein chapter)would have been nice. However, Resident Evil is discussed in more detail in the Alone in the Dark chapter. But this is only a small personal complaint and certainly not anything that would prevent the enjoyment of the book. If anything, it might encourage readers to investigate these titles further.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much so that I have gone back and played through Dune II again (Diablo is begging for attention as well) and I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially younger gamers (not kids mind you) who would like to know more about the history of video games.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Just received my copy, features many great stories about many of the classic games from Pacman to Space Invaders to Mario.
As the books american theres no mention of any Sinclair Spectrum/Amstrad type of games from the 80's but the games it does feature are an excellent choice.
A lot of full colour images to remind you of yesteryear for Doom/Street Fighter etc
A very good book
As the books american theres no mention of any Sinclair Spectrum/Amstrad type of games from the 80's but the games it does feature are an excellent choice.
A lot of full colour images to remind you of yesteryear for Doom/Street Fighter etc
A very good book
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I thoroughly recommend this book. It is great for a trip down memory lane. Each chapter takes a classic game as it's starting point and then discusses it in historical context including the games that influenced it's creation and later games that used it for inspiration. There are a lot of full colour photos that really add to the experience.
25 classic games are covered in the book (Zork, Diablo, Sim City, Ultima, Doom, Space Invaders, Pac Man etc etc) and the authors also run a brilliant vintage game website where they have posted links to bonus chapters (Defender, Pong, Elite, Tony Hawks).
Check out the book and their website you won't regret it.
25 classic games are covered in the book (Zork, Diablo, Sim City, Ultima, Doom, Space Invaders, Pac Man etc etc) and the authors also run a brilliant vintage game website where they have posted links to bonus chapters (Defender, Pong, Elite, Tony Hawks).
Check out the book and their website you won't regret it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
trip down memory lane
The authors make a courageous effort listing what they believe are the most influential games of all time and many are bound to disagree with some of their findings, including... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Henrik Østerlund Gram
Entertaining and interesting book with good pictures
This type of book is always controversial since it focuses on a few titles that the authors think are seminal. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Holger
Great read
Well researched, thoughtful. Each chapter focuses on a particular game, and delves into the games that influenced it, and the way it changed the future of gaming. Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2009 by Sebastian Rice
Essential Purchase!
Let me cut to the chase: Everyone who's even remotely interested in interactive entertainment, everyone who currently enjoys videogames or has fond memories of playing one of the... Read more
Published on 31 May 2009 by Mr. M. Lalaounis
Listmania!
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