With the current slate of games I’m playing only resulting in lukewarm reactions, I’ve been trying to figure out what would make an interesting post within BattlePlay’s scope. This resulted in five solid minutes of staring off into the void that is my home office. There were several, “hmmm…”s uttered and even more head shaking. Soon, in the midst of a blank gaze, my focus lingered over to my book shelf. And there, glistening like a Gears of War 2 collectible item, was the answer to my problems.
The Ultimate History of Video Games. It’s the best book I’ve read on the history of the game industry.
And that’s not just because it’s the only book I’ve read on the history of the game industry. Nope. It takes you well beyond the geometry, textures, and cute little 2D sprites you love, and shows you all the blood, sweat and cocaine powering the industry that has brought us interactive entertainment for more than three decades.
Atari. I know you were wondering how cocaine comes into play. Based on the book, Atari was basically fueled by it in the early 80’s. But who wasn’t, am I right? Am I? I was born in ‘82, so I’m not really sure.
Anyways, It’s a great read that really feels like it’s bringing you the truth, with only the slightest hint of dramatization to keep things interesting. Pick up a copy for yourself. Or don’t. Who am I to tell you how to spend the money grandma sent you for Easter.
Growing up in the late 70’s and 80’s, I do remember the state of video games. We had Pong and Atari, and let’s not forget the Commodore 64 & 128. I personally had a Franklin 64 (Apple 2C clone) that was huge not only in size, but it had 2X the internal memory (64K) than what the standard home PC had then. Yes 64K!!!
You know, that is why I spent so much money in the arcade stores with my best friend back then; because video games at home were terrible. That also explains why I played so many board games and RPG’s back then also. Those where the days where a game would take up a whole table that seated 8 and it would take a week to finish it. Yes, those really were the days where imagination and real thinking took place.
Thanks for the review but I think I will keep the money my grandmother gave me and buy a copy of Mass Effects 2 for my PS3 instead.