Books on the history of video games, consoles, arcade games?

IronGiant · Post by **IronGiant** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 4:33 pm 0

I've recently re-kindled my interest in the history of video games, consoles, arcade games, etc. I'm particularly interested in the development process of 'classic' games, consoles, computers and the like.

What books on those subjects would people recommend?

I've so far read 'Supercade' (large format paperback on the history of arcade games and the more popular consoles) along with a few books on the Mac (by Andy Hertzfeld), Apple, Steve Jobs (iCon) and Bill Gates. All very good books, I especially love the techie stuff where applicable.

F-ZeroOne · Post by **F-ZeroOne** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 4:44 pm 0

A book called "The First Quarter", by Steven L. Kent covers the pre-Atari days up to about the launch of the PS One. I think its been updated and called something else now, though.

IronGiant · Post by **IronGiant** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:02 pm 0

Thanks, I'll look into that.

Has anyone read iWoz? Any thoughts if so?

SiN · Post by **SiN** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:02 pm 0

I highly recommend Masters Of Doom. Well written tale about the rise of id software.

SiN

IronGiant · Post by **IronGiant** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:09 pm 0

A thought - are there any books that accurately document the history of pinball tables?

IronGiant · Post by **IronGiant** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:10 pm 0

F-ZeroOne wrote:A book called "The First Quarter", by Steven L. Kent covers the pre-Atari days up to about the launch of the PS One. I think its been updated and called something else now, though.

Yup, just checked - the latest revision is called:

'The Ultimate History of Video Games'

Stone · Post by **Stone** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:25 pm 0

I've got that one. It's quite good

[even if he can't research the Jag properly. Grr]

Stone

IronGiant · Post by **IronGiant** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:27 pm 0

Stone - ever read Supercade ?

Sir_LANs-a-lot · Post by **Sir_LANs-a-lot** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:39 pm 0

I enjoyed the book "Arcade Fever" by John Sellers
(ISBN: 0-7624-0937-1)

illlogickill · Post by **illlogickill** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:41 pm 0

Game Over - Nintendo's Battle To Dominate An Industry by David Sheff (ISBN 0 - 340 - 59982 - 0)

It's quite an old book in gaming terms (1993), but it covers Ninty's roots in making card games, right up to the SNES and even mentions the planned N64.

I was quite lucky to pick this up in the local Oxfam shop.

Zen-Chan · Post by **Zen-Chan** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:43 pm 0

Another vote for both The First Quarter/Ultimate History and The Masters Of Doom.

MrsSnake · Post by **MrsSnake** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:50 pm 0

Got Digital Retro by Gordon Laing

'The evolution and design of the personal computer'

Dio · Post by **Dio** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:55 pm 0

SiN wrote:I highly recommend Masters Of Doom. Well written tale about the rise of id software.

It's informative and interesting, but the last thing it is is 'well written' - it extensively employs the extremely breathless style of reporting used by crappy, sensationalist TV documentaries or the tabloid press.

IronGiant · Post by **IronGiant** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:57 pm 0

Thanks. Game Over seems to have gone through a fair few iterations and re-printings, all with different sub-titles. They ain't cheap either, so finding a copy in Oxfam was indeed a real bargain.

Zen-Chan · Post by **Zen-Chan** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 6:04 pm 0

IronGiant wrote:Thanks. Game Over seems to have gone through a fair few iterations and re-printings, all with different sub-titles. They ain't cheap either, so finding a copy in Oxfam was indeed a real bargain.

Arcade magazine cover-mounted it around 1999/2000. Though it was presumably a condensed version, it was still pretty damn good for a freebie!