Rating: 
Summary: Very informative and interesting book
Review: This is an excellent and very informative book on games by a pioneer in the computer game industry.This book covers aspects of what constitutes good game design. The author looks at many games from the late '70s through today. And examines what qualities make them good or bad or classics. The author also examines many aspects of the human element that go into making and enjoying games. Things such as creativity and the challenge/reward nature of many games. If you are a computer history buff, as I am, there are some very interesting sections on 8 bit computing such as the Atari 2600. (Its amazing that anyone could come up with playable games on such a limited device!) There are some excellent anecdotes on the history of Atari. As well as pioneers such as Alan Kay (genius from Xerox Parc). I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in computers and games.
Rating:
Summary: Good job Chris
Review: This is very personal book. The author shares his experience and knowledge with you, showing you the strenghts and weaknesses of his designs. What is important it looks he always worked alone ( as designer and programmer ), so you can see all the difficulties related with such lonely achievments. From time to time Chris compare his games with Sid's Mayer Civilization (1991), but he do not mention that this game was created by a team of maybe 12-15 people!
This book is also a wonderful essay of game development history.
How to create a game if processor of your computer does't know how to devide two numbers (there is not such assembler instruction)!
Chris also diagnoses that entire game industry is in crisis today. He argue that from quite a long time the most important thing during game creation is not a game itself or the gameplay but just a beatiful graphics! So today, almost every game has beatiful graphics but it is difficult to find any fun while playing! And I agree with him.
Game creation is the form of the art. From the other side, the game should be fun for the player. This is very important to keep track on both.
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