A Brief History Of Video Games

'Stanton writes with terrific verve and precision . . . his understanding of the seductive pleasures of gaming takes us right to its heart.'

Maria Bustillos, Times Literary Supplement

'The best overview book of the industry that I've read.'

Andrew Liptak, io9

From the first wood-panelled Pong machines in California to the masterpieces of engineering that now sit in countless homes all over the world, A Brief History of Video Games reveals the vibrant history and culture of interactive entertainment.

Above all, this is a book about the games - how the experience of playing has developed from simple, repetitive beginnings into a cornucopia of genres and styles, at once utterly immersive and socially engaging. With full-colour illustrations throughout, it shows how technological advances have transformed the first dots and dashes of bored engineers into sophisticated, responsive worlds that are endlessly captivating.

As thrilling and surprising as the games it describes, this is an indispensable read for anyone serious about the business of having fun.

“Stanton writes with terrific verve and precision . . . his understanding of the seductive pleasures of gaming takes us right to its heart. - Times Literary SupplementThe best overview book of the industry that I've read. - io9 A Brief History of Video Games is an exceptional work that celebrates gaming without the obsequious flattery, a book that will engross anyone with even the faintest interest in the medium. It's unclear whether we'll be able to write a comprehensive history of the next forty years of games, but at least we've got the perfect history of the first. - Five Out of Ten A Brief History of Video Games covers a lot of games and a lot of stories spanning many decades. It's well worth your time. - Polygon”

Stanton writes with terrific verve and precision . . . his understanding of the seductive pleasures of gaming takes us right to its heart. - Times Literary Supplement

The best overview book of the industry that I've read. - io9

A Brief History of Video Games is an exceptional work that celebrates gaming without the obsequious flattery, a book that will engross anyone with even the faintest interest in the medium. It's unclear whether we'll be able to write a comprehensive history of the next forty years of games, but at least we've got the perfect history of the first. - Five Out of Ten

A Brief History of Video Games covers a lot of games and a lot of stories spanning many decades. It's well worth your time. - Polygon

Richard Stanton was born in Scotland in 1982 and read English at Balliol College, Oxford. He has written about video games for the Guardian, Polygon and RockPaperShotgun and is the former features editor of Edge magazine. He lives in Bath, England, and has saved the universe more times than you'll ever know.

'Stanton writes with terrific verve and precision . . . his understanding of the seductive pleasures of gaming takes us right to its heart.' Maria Bustillos, Times Literary Supplement 'The best overview book of the industry that I've read.' Andrew Liptak, io9 From the first wood-panelled Pong machines in California to the masterpieces of engineering that now sit in countless homes all over the world, A Brief History of Video Games reveals the vibrant history and culture of interactive entertainment. Above all, this is a book about the games - how the experience of playing has developed from simple, repetitive beginnings into a cornucopia of genres and styles, at once utterly immersive and socially engaging. With full-colour illustrations throughout, it shows how technological advances have transformed the first dots and dashes of bored engineers into sophisticated, responsive worlds that are endlessly captivating. As thrilling and surprising as the games it describes, this is an indispensable read for anyone serious about the business of having fun.

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