Game On!

This book is a time machine. My youth was shaped by PONG, ATARI, PAC-MAN and a host of other games. We competed for screen time with moms Jazzercise and dad's Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom. I remember the smell of a heated game console and the sound a cathode ray tube television makes when it warms up and cools down. This book brought it all back. Hansen has not simply regurgitated history here. He has narrated the life of every kid raised on video games. He has also underscored the immeasurable effect the gaming industry has had on the advancement of technology, cinematography, and the digital age. His attention to detail is impressive. His direct involvement as an artist/writer in the industry enrich the history by adding context, side stories and background. This is a well written book, and it is entertaining. It is entirely possible that in a future day GAME ON! will be considered foundational in the development of the written history of the digital world.

I have kids who grew up in the "digital age" and they know more about the history of video games than I do. Or I should say they used to know more about video games...now that I have read this book, I may know more - at least I know enough to hold my own in a conversation about the nuances of Sega vs. Nintendo. This book is well researched, and I appreciated how the author demonstrated that each new generation of game builds on what has come before. It has also piqued my interest in a few games, so I may seek them out and give them a try.

Purchased for a teenager; they didn't find it to be as entertaining as they'd hoped.

Perfect topic for a video game lover. My son is a reluctant reader and this book sparked his interest.

I've read all of the major books on the history of video games, and they all have something to contribute. What I like best about Game On! is that it not only has the historical / informational substance required for a book of this type, but it presents the info in a really fun, 'snackable' way. As a result, this book is a great read for different kinds of readers and different kinds of schedules - whether you have 5-10 minutes, or a couple of hours to curl up and read by the fire. The fact that the author both grew up with and worked in the game industry adds all the more potency to his voice as an author.

Hey, Amazon asked for a review, so here it goes. This book was a blast to put together. I've worked in the games industry for more than half of my life now, but I've been playing for even longer. I will never forget the feeling of dropping my first quarter into my first arcade machine. I can tell you what the place smelled like (old socks and hand-cut french fries). I can tell you what I was wearing (a Speedy Gonzales baseball T and rust colored Rustler jeans with the reinforced knees - come on, it was a long time ago). And of course I can tell you what the game was (Space Invaders, the only machine at the Snow College Union Building back then). The game probably lasted about 30 seconds, and that might even be a generous stretch of a kid's imagination, but the impression it left on me has lasted a lifetime. I'm gamer. I adore playing, debating, complaining, gloating, and gushing about games. If you feel me, ya feel me. And if you do, I think you'll enjoy this book. My passion project, my love affair with the games that shaped me. Heck, with the games that shaped us all.

This is a very basic overview of video game history. It might be good light reading for some, but I prefer the much more comprehensive Ultimate History of Video Games.

This is one of the best books about the history of the video games that I have ever read. Not only does the author talk about the games themselves, but also explains in detail what exactly made these games stand out among the rest of the games released during that time period. Obviously written by someone who has some experience actually creating games. Thought I knew a lot about many of these games already, but there's plenty of anecdotes filled with facts that hit me as a surprise. Great book. Must read for gamers!

Muito bom este livro, traz informações históricas muito interessantes. Ótimo para pesquisas e trabalhos científicos.

All of it is black white papers without any color picture. It is good for serious readers, not for kids

Es un excelente complemento para tu biblioteca personal.

Ho letto diversi libri sulla storia dei videogiochi. Sebbene non approfondisca come Steve L. Kent questo autore ha una buona capaictà di raccontare la storia dei videogiochi in modo interessante. Ogni capitolo rappresenta un anno ed un videogioco che a suo parere ha creato una pietra miliare della storia dei videogiochi. Molto ben fatto!

A very jolly and well written book covering a few of the many videogame milestones. Pictures are included though it's printed on decent paper in black and white.No doubt to keep the price down. It covers a few arcade and computer based games , though console fans are what this is aiming for. It's a cracking good read for anyone who enjoys gaming beyond casual japes. Well worth picking up. Would like to see a book that covers the 8bit and 16bit home computer games,in the same style.Afterall every genre of game evolved on Spectrum,Commodore and Atari personal computers.