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Great books on classic video games

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Re: Great books on classic video games

#31

Post by mdbauman »

mister_tee wrote: post #15

Appreciate the suggestions in this thread. Adding recommendations for Blake Harris's "Console Wars" on 90s Sega vs. Nintendo competition, and Jason Schreier's "Blood, Sweat, and Pixels" for more of the development angle. It looks like he has a new book out just last week, "Press Reset" -- seems to be on studios/projects that shut down and the aftermath. Adding that one to my reading list. For the link to Boss Fight b…

While I enjoyed what I've read of the series so far, I think it's a valid criticism that some books read more like a love letter from a fan than a history or notes from the developers.

If you're considering reading some of these but are specifically interested in the developer's point of view, I suggest reading some reviews and/or a bit about the [author] so you know what you're getting into.

For example: I liked the ZZT book very much, but that may be because I was briefly involved in the ZZT community in the early 2000s; it feels good to have a part of my history written down. If you've just read the Spelunky book (written by the developer Derek Yu) and are hoping the ZZT book is something similar from Tim Sweeney, you [may] be disappointed.

Re: Great books on classic video games

#33

Post by otachack »

bishnu wrote: post #19

Has anyone read Jordan Mechner's Prince of Persia journal? Was thinking of checking it out: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0578627310?pf_rd_r=HMREHVA...

Highly suggest it! I read the older version back in 2011 but I believe this newer one at the least contains all the material, maybe more. It's a entertaining and insightful ride of innovation.

Mechner has superb talent, especially back in his 20's, and I'm grateful he put out his notes for us to read.

Re: Great books on classic video games

#34

Post by danShumway »

superjan wrote: post #26
LucidLynx wrote: post #17

I highly recommend both Wolfenstein3D and Doom black books, from Fabien Sanglard, which are very technical and describe really well a ton of things around those games: how they have been developed, the tools they have been developed on / with, the context, ... Wolfenstein 3D Black Book: https://fabiensanglard.net/gebbwolf3d/ Doom Black Book: https://fabiensanglard.net/gebbdoom/

What I did not like about them was you could either buy a google book (only readable via a google app) or as a free but bitmapped Pdf, so bloated that it used to crash my iPad. I did not mind paying, but would like to get some more flexible format.

Their current Google Book is listed as DRM free[0]. Is that still restricted to only be downloadable in the Google app, or does that mean I could buy it and just download from the Google Play website itself as an EPUB?

[0]: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Fabien_Sanglard_...

Re: Great books on classic video games

#36

Post by rvba »

Reverse Design: Diablo II is an interesting book about what makes Diablo 2 so addictive and nice to play. It is a relatively short book (less than 150 pages), where author starts with the way difficulty is set-up (with exaple of Galaxian, where afte4 ewch increase there is a moment of decrease and stability). Then author looks why the game is a "feel good" game - the character becomes better and better. Enemies get better too, but not so fast. There is also a nice chapter about the different types of randomness in the game: used to generate loot. As far as I remmember he also briefly mentions the "5 out of 10" quest system used in Diablo 1. What is really simple but good for replayability.

For those interested in Blizzard/Blizzard North/Diablo 2 history you can also check the 2nd book called Stay awhile and listen: heaven, hell and secret cow levels. Author goes more into what wenr wrong during Diablo 2 development (and obviously what went good). The 1st book is about Diablo 1 and is much weaker: it is mlstly quotes "we made a great game". The second book repeats a lot of info from first and focuses more on why Blizzard North fell.

Re: Great books on classic video games

#37

Post by fmoralesc »

mdbauman wrote: post #31
mister_tee wrote: post #15

Appreciate the suggestions in this thread. Adding recommendations for Blake Harris's "Console Wars" on 90s Sega vs. Nintendo competition, and Jason Schreier's "Blood, Sweat, and Pixels" for more of the development angle. It looks like he has a new book out just last week, "Press Reset" -- seems to be on studios/projects that shut down and the aftermath. Adding that one to my reading list. For the link to Boss Fight b…

While I enjoyed what I've read of the series so far, I think it's a valid criticism that some books read more like a love letter from a fan than a history or notes from the developers. If you're considering reading some of these but are specifically interested in the developer's point of view, I suggest reading some reviews and/or a bit about the [author] so you know what you're getting into. For example: I liked the…

I had no connection to the ZZT community, and I loved the ZZT book. I think it captures very well the feeling of being a sort of outcast and trying to express oneself through art. I always remember the bit about being excited about a project and then waking up to the next day and feeling just so... inadequate to the task.

Re: Great books on classic video games

#39

Post by reidrac »

alfiedotwtf wrote: post #2

Not sure what's in them because I can't find their Table of Contents, but if you're looking for other great books on specific games: 1. Masters of Doom 2. Michael Abrash's Graphics Programming Black Book

On the spirit of Masters of Doom, I recommend "It's behind you - The making of a computer Game" by Bob Pape.

The author explains how he made the R-Type conversion for the ZX Spectrum 48k and provides an interesting view of the "bedroom coders" and the early video game industry in the UK back in the 80s.

Self-published and downloadable for free here: http://bizzley.com/

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