Books Like Extra Lives

Video games have grown a lot since their early days when they had a bad reputation for poorly made licensed titles based on popular books and movies. The tables have turned these days, and plenty of blockbuster titles are based on original video games. The journey from a niche form of entertainment to a billion-dollar industry has been tumultuous, with plenty of highs and lows along the way. This history has been chronicled in books like Extra Lives by Tom Bissell, which covers the industry, some of its best minds, and the influence it has had on the players. For more fascinating insights into the world of video games and the publishers and developers that made it a success, check out the following books like Extra Lives. Control Freak: My Epic Adventure Making Video GamesBy Cliff BleszinskiControl Freak is an eye-opening personal account of the video game industry by Cliff “CliffyB” Bleszinski, the designer of Unreal and Gears of War who also worked on titles such as Jazz Jackrabbit and Fortnite. Cliff got his start in video games by creating his first title before even graduating high school and joined Epic Games at age seventeen. Control Freak chronicles the fledgling company that became one of the industry leaders and how he went from a shy, introverted teen to a sports-car-driving celebrity in the process.The Creative GeneBy Hideo KojimaThe Creative Gene by Hideo Kojima offers a glimpse into the mind of one of the biggest names in the gaming industry. From his time working at Konami on groundbreaking franchises like Metal Gear Solid to starting Kojima Productions to release Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima is a name familiar to everyone with a passion for gaming. Kojima has been chronicling his creative process in a series of essays on his blog, and The Creative Gene allows English readers to learn more about his process for creating memorable and thought-provoking titles.Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings: The Rise and Fall of Sierra On-LineBy Ken WilliamsNot All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings by Ken Williams is a good example of how some of the biggest names in the industry have risen before falling. The author founded Sierra On-Line with his wife, Robert, and their titles quickly became amongst the most successful in the industry. From the humble roots of only the two founders to employing more than a thousand people at their peak, Sierra On-Line captured the hearts and imaginations of gamers around the world. Unfortunately, it also fell victim to criminal activities, scandal, and corruption, which are all featured in this book. Through the MoongateBy Andrea ContatoThrough the Moongate by Andrea Contato is the story of Richard Garriot, co-founder of Origin Systems and creator of the Ultima series of role-playing games. Through his work, Garriot became one of the most well-known personalities in the video game industry, and his games are still fondly remembered by fans worldwide. Since Origin Systems was founded in 1983, the company's story is also linked to the history of video games and offers a fascinating glimpse into the early pioneering work done by Garriot. Doom Guy: Life in First PersonBy John RomeroDoom Guy by John Romera is an autobiography by one of the most influential video-game designers ever. Romero shot to fame as one of gaming’s original rock stars after cocreating a string of hits that include Wolfenstein 3-D, Doom, and Quake. As one of the first-person shooter genre pioneers, he cemented his legacy in the industry. Doom Guy is the story of John Romero, from his difficult childhood to his storied career, but it also sheds new light on the highs and lows of the gaming industry. Shareware HeroesBy Richard MossShareware Heroes by Richard Moss explores a videogame topic that is often forgotten about in this modern era of accessible gaming. Some of the biggest names in the industry, such as id Software, Apogee, and Epic MegaGames, owe a lot of their success to the Shareware distribution model. The book starts in the early 1980s when the Shareware model was conceived and charts the rise of commercial shareware distributors and the end of the era as major publishers took control. Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom from Satoru Iwata, Nintendo’s Legendary CEOBy Satoru IwataSatoru Iwata was not only Nintendo's global president and CEO but also a gifted programmer who worked behind the scenes on some great games. His leadership style made him a favorite among game fans and developers worldwide. Ask Iwata is a book drawn from his series of interviews with the same name, where he chatted with key contributors to Nintendo games and hardware. From Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario, to Shigesato Itoi, creator of Earthbound, these interviews fascinated Nintendo fans. This book is perfect for fans who want to learn more about the gaming industry, its history, and one of its most beloved figures.The History of Video GamesBy Charlie FishThe History of Video Games by Charlie Fish is a comprehensive look at the industry. However, instead of telling the entire story from beginning to end, it is split up into chapters that cover the history of video games from a different angle. This book covers everything from the earliest experimental games in the 1950s and 1960s to the console wars of the nineties and the growth of online and mobile games in the 2000s. In addition, it also features all the related cultural phenomena that sprang up around gaming, such as Twitch streaming.