Gaming books

[Alexander Bevier]

Lately I've been reading up more so about gaming than actually playing games. After a very expensive Amazon list I found myself liking 'Gamer Theory' by Mckenzie Wark. It was much heavier reading than I thought it would be, but it attempts to state the philosophy of the playing space in games.
Anyway, I was wonder what books on gaming you have read. Any recommendations?

 

[Chibz]

What do you mean by "Books on gaming"? Rule books, or video game guides/etc?

 

[Neverhoodian]

"Grand Theft Childhood" is an enlightening read on the whole "violent games corrupt kids" controversy. Rather than getting on a soapbox and taking a side in the debate, the authors instead conduct a (very thorough) series of surveys and interviews with kids and parents, then allow the data speak for itself. It also explores other aspects of the controversy that aren't usually discussed, such as differences in gender and personality.

 

[Krakyn]

"Grand Theft Childhood" is an enlightening read on the whole "violent games corrupt kids" controversy. Rather than getting on a soapbox and taking a side in the debate, the authors instead conduct a (very thorough) series of surveys and interviews with kids and parents, then allow the data speak for itself. It also explores other aspects of the controversy that aren't usually discussed, such as differences in gender and personality.

Wow, that's pretty cool. I'll have to check that out.

 

[Chibz]

Could you please "expand" on what you mean by "gaming books"? The vague first post, and title certainly don't help me.

 

[Alexander Bevier]

I mean books about video games. I'm talking more along the lines of books about gamings concepts and history, but if you liked the Halo series or whatever feel free to post it.

 

[Chibz]

Sorry about bumping.

I like The Horus Heresy books, from the Warhammer 40K setting and would recommend checking the series out.

 

[Alex_P]

From Sun Tzu to XBox: War and Video Games is alright as a limited history of video games and military simulations. It's not comprehensive but it'll fill you in on some interesting stuff, such as Marine Doom or Operation Igloo White. The chapter on video-game-based art is a total letdown, though.

If you're interested in design at all, even just from the perspective of appreciating other people's, I thoroughly recommend Salen and Zimmerman's Rules of Play, which speaks about games as systems of rules, as things people play, and as cultural texts.

-- Alex

 

[wordsmith]

Game Night by Jonny Nexus.
"The gods do not play dice. Tabletop gaming, however, is a favourite of theirs"

 

[Raciid]

I think that video/computer gaming is becomming less interesing every year so these days I'm more into tabletop gaming. Warhammer has two interesting universes that are worth looking into.

 

[somekindawizard]

Dr. Aphra Kerr (2006) "The Business and Culture of Digital Games" talks about the gaming industry in relation to globalisation. Studied it for my thesis. Interesting read.