The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokemon--The Story Behind the Craze That Touched Our Lives and Changed the World

bInside the Games You Grew Up with but Never Forgot/bbrWith all the whiz, bang, pop, and shimmer of a glowing arcade. iThe Ultimate History of Video Games/i reveals everything you ever wanted to know and more about the unforgettable games that changed the world, the visionaries who made them, and the fanatics who played them. From the arcade to television and from the PC to the handheld device, video games have entraced kids at heart for nearly 30 years. And author and gaming historian Steven L. Kent has been there to record the craze from the very beginning.brThis engrossing book tells the incredible tale of how this backroom novelty transformed into a cultural phenomenon. Through meticulous research and personal interviews with hundreds of industry luminaries, you'll read firsthand accounts of how yesterday's games like iSpace Invaders, Centipede,/i and iPac-Man/i helped create an arcade culture that defined a generation, and how today's empires like Sony, Nintendo, and Electronic Arts have galvanized a multibillion-dollar industry and a new generation of games. Inside, you'll discover:br·The video game that saved Nintendo from bankruptcy br·The serendipitous story of Pac-Man's design br·The misstep that helped topple Atari's $2 billion-a-year empire br·The coin shortage caused by iSpace Invaders/i br·The fascinating reasons behind the rise, fall, and rebirth of Sega br·And much more! brEntertaining, addictive, and as mesmerizing as the games it chronicles, this book is a must-have for anyone who's ever touched a joystick.