Written by Joshua Gallegos
The video game industry is strange. From the outside looking in, it can appear to just be a quaint little portion of entertainment that basically serves as a happy medium between toys and movies. The people who make these “toys” have got to live a pretty normal life, right? It may seem this way on the surface, but as one takes a closer look, the video game industry reveals itself to be a sometimes terrifying and tragic, sometimes rich and rewarding place to work in.
To gain a better understanding of the deeply layered, secretive, and sometimes controversial machinations of the industry that produces those silly video games we know and love, you ought to read a book about it. Surprisingly, despite the countless stories that could be told about the gaming field—stories of victory, tragedy, and insanity—few books have been penned to capture these unique accounts. Still, the ones that have been written are well worth the read. And who knows? Maybe you’ll gain a better appreciation and respect for the medium along the way.
I know I did.
Blood, Sweat, and Pixels by Jason Schreier
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Schreier peels back the layer of secrecy that surrounds video game development and exposes the inner workings behind games like Uncharted 4 and Pillars of Eternity. This book is an uncompromising look at how difficult it is to make a video game, and is a must-read for those interested in the industry.
Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World by David Sheff
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This is an in-depth look at the rise of Nintendo, one of the biggest video game companies in the world. This book is a bit dated, but still a very informative read. The tale of the quirky Japanese company is an entertaining one.
Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle That Defined a Generation by Blake Harris
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Two juggernauts pitted against one another on the eve of an epic battle—this is the frame of storytelling that Harris utilises in Console Wars, and he milks this classic trope for every over-the-top twist and turn. Riding the edge between fiction and nonfiction, this novel takes a seemingly small rivalry between two video game companies and makes it into an unforgettable clash for the fate of the universe. And it’s informative, too!
Masters of Doom by David Kushner
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An essential read for anyone looking to break into the video game industry, this book recounts the lives of John Carmack and John Romero, the men behind Doom. This will grab your attention and give you a better appreciation for the people behind the games, the FPS genre, and how games affect the culture at large.
All Your Base Are Belong To Us by Harold Goldberg
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This book gives us the overarching view of the video game industry. What once started out as a mild distraction has grown into a beast that makes more money on average than Hollywood. Goldberg highlights Madden, Super Mario Bros., and other games that helped propel video games into popular culture. It’s riveting stuff.
