100 Greatest Video Game Franchises


Book Description

Video games take players on a trip through ancient battlefields, to mythic worlds, and across galaxies. They provide players with a way to try on new identities and acquire vast superpowers. Video games also give people the chance to hit reset – to play again and again until they achieve a desired outcome. Their popularity has enabled them to grow far beyond their humble origins and to permeate other forms of popular culture, from comic books and graphic novels to films and television programs. Video games are universal. In 100 Greatest Video Game Franchises, editors Robert Mejia, Jaime Banks, and Aubrie Adams have assembled essays that identify, assess, and reveal the most important video games of all-time. Each entry makes a case for the game’s cultural significance and why it deserves to be on the list, from its influence on other games to its impact on an international scale. In addition to providing information about the game developer and when the franchise was established, these entries explore the connections between the different video games, examining them across genre, theme, and content. This accessible collection of essays gives readers an opportunity to gauge their favorite video game franchises against the best of all time and argue how they each fit among the 100 greatest ever created. Whether casually looking up information on these games or eager to learn how franchises evolved over the years, readers will enjoy this entertaining and informative volume. Comprehensive and engaging, 100 Greatest Video Game Franchises will appeal to fans and scholars alike.




Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer's Edition


Book Description

This is the ultimate category-killer in videogames annuals. Bursting with mindblowing records and tantalizing trivia, it's a must-have for any gaming fan. Whether you're an app aficionado, an MMO master or a die-hard retro gamer, you'll find show-stopping records, top 10 roundups, quick-fire facts and stats, and hundreds of amazing new images from all your favourite games. Find out for yourself why it's a bestseller!




The Umbrella Conspiracy


Book Description

A remote mountain community is suddenly beseiged by a rash of grisly murders encroaching upon it from the surrounding forest. Bizarre reports start to spread, describing attacks from viscious creatures, some human...some not. At the centre of these deaths is a dark, secluded mansion belonging to the mysterious Umbrella Corporation. For years Umbrella has laboured within the mansion, unwatched, ostensibly conducting benign genetic research. Deployed to investigate the strange goings on is the Special Tactics and Rescue Squad (S.T.A.R.S), a paramilitary response unit boasting an unusual array of mission specialists. They believe they are ready for anything but nothing prepares them for the terror which awaits them when they penetrate the mansions long-locked doors. Behind the horror of nightmare creatures, results of forbidden experiments gone disasterously wrong, lies a conspiracy so vast in its scope and so insidious in its agenda that the S.T.A.R.S will be betrayed from within to ensure that the world never learns Umbrella's secret. And if any survive...they may well come to envy those who do not.




The Ultimate History of Video Games, Volume 2


Book Description

The definitive behind-the-scenes history of video games’ explosion into the twenty-first century and the war for industry power “A zippy read through a truly deep research job. You won’t want to put this one down.”—Eddie Adlum, publisher, RePlay Magazine As video games evolve, only the fittest companies survive. Making a blockbuster once cost millions of dollars; now it can cost hundreds of millions, but with a $160 billion market worldwide, the biggest players are willing to bet the bank. Steven L. Kent has been playing video games since Pong and writing about the industry since the Nintendo Entertainment System. In volume 1 of The Ultimate History of Video Games, he chronicled the industry’s first thirty years. In volume 2, he narrates gaming’s entrance into the twenty-first century, as Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and Microsoft battle to capture the global market. The home console boom of the ’90s turned hobby companies like Nintendo and Sega into Hollywood-studio-sized business titans. But by the end of the decade, they would face new, more powerful competitors. In boardrooms on both sides of the Pacific, engineers and executives began, with enormous budgets and total secrecy, to plan the next evolution of home consoles. The PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Sega Dreamcast all made radically different bets on what gamers would want. And then, to the shock of the world, Bill Gates announced the development of the one console to beat them all—even if Microsoft had to burn a few billion dollars to do it. In this book, you will learn about • the cutthroat environment at Microsoft as rival teams created console systems • the day the head of Sega of America told the creator of Sonic the Hedgehog to “f**k off” • how “lateral thinking with withered technology” put Nintendo back on top • and much more! Gripping and comprehensive, The Ultimate History of Video Games: Volume 2 explores the origins of modern consoles and of the franchises—from Grand Theft Auto and Halo to Call of Duty and Guitar Hero—that would define gaming in the new millennium.




100 Greatest Video Game Characters


Book Description

Though in existence for only a few decades, video games are now firmly established in mainstream culture all around the planet. Every year new games are produced, and every year new favorites emerge. But certain characters have become so iconic that they withstand both time and the shifting interests of players. Such creations permeate other elements of popular culture—from graphic novels to film—and are known not only to dedicated gamers but to the general public as well. In 100 Greatest Video Game Characters, readers can learn about some of the most popular and influential figures that have leapt from computer monitors and television screens and into the public consciousness. The entries in this volume provide general facts about the characters as well as explore their cultural significance. The entries include the following information: Game developer Year character was established Video game franchise In addition, the book examines the commonalities of various video game characters to help readers better understand their popularity and how they operate within the video games and the industry itself. Whether casually looking up information on video game characters or researching what these icons says about society, readers will enjoy this entertaining and informative volume. Comprehensive and engaging, 100 Greatest Video Game Characters will appeal to fans and scholars alike.




Answer the Call of Duty: The Complete History of the Gaming Franchise


Book Description

"Answer the Call of Duty: The Complete History of the Gaming Franchise" is the definitive exploration of one of the most influential video game series ever created. Spanning nearly two decades, Call of Duty has not only set new standards for the first-person shooter genre but has also left an indelible mark on the culture of gaming, esports, and entertainment as a whole. This comprehensive volume takes readers through the entire history of the franchise, beginning with its roots in World War II and tracing its evolution through each major release, including groundbreaking titles like Modern Warfare, Black Ops, and Warzone. Through meticulous research and exclusive interviews, the book uncovers the creative processes, technological innovations, and key decisions that have propelled Call of Duty to the forefront of the gaming world. The narrative goes beyond the development studios, delving into the lives and careers of the influencers, streamers, and content creators who have become integral to the franchise's success. Figures like Dr DisRespect, Nickmercs, Scump, and Nadeshot are not just players but personalities who have shaped the way Call of Duty is experienced and understood by millions of fans. The book examines how these influencers have not only popularized the game but also helped to build communities and foster a culture of competitive gaming that extends far beyond the screen. Readers will also gain insight into the cultural impact of Call of Duty—how it has influenced pop culture, contributed to the rise of esports, and sparked discussions on the portrayal of war and violence in media. The book does not shy away from the controversies that have surrounded the series, providing a balanced look at both its achievements and the debates it has ignited. As the franchise looks to the future, "Answer the Call of Duty" offers predictions and analysis on where the series might go next, considering the latest trends in gaming technology, storytelling, and multiplayer innovation. Whether you're a die-hard fan, a casual player, or simply someone interested in the phenomenon of Call of Duty, this book offers an in-depth and engaging account of a franchise that has defined a generation. Prepare to step onto the virtual battlefield, follow the rise of gaming icons, and explore the legacy of Call of Duty with this exhaustive and compelling guide to one of the most successful gaming franchises of all time.




The Dream Architects


Book Description

The inside story of the booming video game industry from the late 1990s to the present, as told by the Managing Director of Ubisoft's Massive Entertainment (The Division, Far Cry 3, Assassin's Creed: Revelations). At Massive Entertainment, a Ubisoft studio, a key division of one of the largest, most influential companies in gaming, Managing Director Polfeldt has had a hand in some of the biggest video game franchises of today, from Assassin's Creed to Far Cry to Tom Clancy's The Division, the fastest-selling new series this generation which revitalized the Clancy brand in gaming. In The Dream Architects, Polfeldt charts his course through a charmed, idiosyncratic career which began at the dawn of the Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox era -- from successfully pitching an Avatar game to James Cameron that will digitally create all of Pandora to enduring a week-long survivalist camp in the Scandinavian forest to better understand the post-apocalyptic future of The Division. Along the way, Polfeldt ruminates on how the video game industry has grown and changed, how and when games became art, and the medium's expanding artistic and storytelling potential. He shares what it's like to manage a creative process that has ballooned from a low-six-figure expense with a team of a half dozen people to a transatlantic production of five hundred employees on a single project with a production budget of over a hundred million dollars. A rare firsthand account of the golden age of game development told in vivid detail, The Dream Architects is a seminal work about the biggest entertainment medium of today.




101 Video Games to Play Before You Grow Up


Book Description

A must-play checklist and guidebook for the top 101 video games every kid should experience, including trivia and tips, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and ratings. Full color. 5 15/16 x 8 5/16.




Atari Inc


Book Description

Atari Inc. - Business is Fun, the book that goes behind the company that was synonymous with the popularization of 'video games.' Nearly 8 years in the making, Atari Inc. - Business is Fun is comprised of thousands of researched documents, hundreds of interviews, and access to materials never before available. An amazing 800 pages (including nearly 300 pages of rare, never before seen photos, memos and court documents), this book details Atari's genesis from an idea between an engineer and a visionary in 1969 to a nearly $2 billion dollar juggernaut, and ending with a $538 million death spiral during 1984. A testament to the people that worked at this beloved company, the book is full of their personal stories and insights. Learn about topics like: * All the behind the scenes stories surrounding the creation of the company's now iconic games and products. * The amazing story of Atari's very own "Xerox PARC" research facility up in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains * The full recounting of Steve Jobs's time at Atari, with comments from the people he worked with on projects and the detailed story of the creation of Atari Breakout, including input by Steve Wozniak on his development of the prototype, and how it couldn't be used and another Atari engineer would have to make the final production Breakout arcade game instead. * The creation of "Rick Rats Big Cheese Restaurants" which later became "Chuck E. Cheese's" * How Atari Inc. faltered and took down an entire industry with it before being put on the chopping block. If you've ever wanted to learn about the truth behind the creation of this iconic company told directly by the people who made FUN for a living, then this is the book for you!




The Post-9/11 Video Game


Book Description

This critical study of video games since 9/11 shows how a distinct genre emerged following the terrorist attacks and their aftermath. Comparisons of pre and post-9/11 titles of popular game franchises--Call of Duty, Battlefield, Medal of Honor, Grand Theft Auto and Syphon Filter--reveal reshaped notions of identity, urban and suburban spaces and the citizen's role as both a producer and consumer of culture: New York represents America; the mall embodies American values; zombies symbolize foreign invasion. By revisiting a national trauma, these games offer a therapeutic solution to the geopolitical upheaval of 9/11 and, along with film and television, help redefine American identity and masculinity in a time of conflict.