What do you think?
Rate this book
Game On!
What if future criminals played games of skill for their freedom? Would spellcasters dare use magic to skew chance in their favor? What if aliens judged us based on the games we play? Can a dying woman literally cheat Death?
Games are about more than winning and losing. They’re about risk and reward, strategy and blind fortune, our need to win and our fear of being outplayed. And when magic and science infuse a game, the stakes can be of cosmic importance. Each move could decide life or death. Are you ready to play?
In this anthology, seventeen of today’s leading fantasy and science fiction authors explore the role games play in worlds both seen and unseen. Join Aliette de Bodard, Jennifer R Povey, Ed Greenwood, Cory Swanson, David Hankins, Cat Rambo, Wulf Moon, Jo Miles, James Alan Gardner, Karen Aria Lin, Mike Rimar, Eric Choi, Tris Lawrence, Mark Silcox, Melissa Yi, Michael J. Picco, and Sean Williams as they share with us games played for unimaginable stakes.
The board is set, the cards are dealt—now it’s GAME ON!
Games are about more than winning and losing. They’re about risk and reward, strategy and blind fortune, our need to win and our fear of being outplayed. And when magic and science infuse a game, the stakes can be of cosmic importance. Each move could decide life or death. Are you ready to play?
In this anthology, seventeen of today’s leading fantasy and science fiction authors explore the role games play in worlds both seen and unseen. Join Aliette de Bodard, Jennifer R Povey, Ed Greenwood, Cory Swanson, David Hankins, Cat Rambo, Wulf Moon, Jo Miles, James Alan Gardner, Karen Aria Lin, Mike Rimar, Eric Choi, Tris Lawrence, Mark Silcox, Melissa Yi, Michael J. Picco, and Sean Williams as they share with us games played for unimaginable stakes.
The board is set, the cards are dealt—now it’s GAME ON!
- GenresScience Fiction
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2022
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 6, 2023
"Game On!" is a compelling anthology of speculative fiction centered around the premise of games. While every story is objectively good, there were certainly a few that stood out to me above others. Here are a few of my highlights:
“Machines” by Jennifer R. Povey is my favorite story in the anthology: it’s incredibly playful with a diverse cast and excellent pacing. (Although, I did wonder what happened to Samson…he was mentioned once and then seemingly disappeared.) After I finished reading this one, I literally set down the book and said to myself out loud, “I liked that story, I really liked that story.”
“Persistence of Memory” (Cory Swanson) was an interesting story, rife with ethical wonderings and on the verge of horror. I enjoyed reading it, though it’s ending felt a little abrupt and left me wanting more.
“The Grim Reaper’s Game” by David Hankins was a humorous and heartfelt tale. The pacing was great, the mystery intriguing, and the characters full of, well, character. I look forward to his Kickstarter and getting the chance to see more of the Grim Reaper.
Wulf Moon’s story “The Saltmarsh” was an emotional rollercoaster. At first I wasn’t fond of the characters, though the descriptions were strong. As the story wore on, my feelings strengthened, and I loved the ending (no spoilers). The subtle way it was built toward was no less than exceptional.
"Worldplay" by Tris Lawrence was the last story in the anthology that really spoke to me; I loved the characters and intrigue and found myself wishing to play the game the story was about.
“Machines” by Jennifer R. Povey is my favorite story in the anthology: it’s incredibly playful with a diverse cast and excellent pacing. (Although, I did wonder what happened to Samson…he was mentioned once and then seemingly disappeared.) After I finished reading this one, I literally set down the book and said to myself out loud, “I liked that story, I really liked that story.”
“Persistence of Memory” (Cory Swanson) was an interesting story, rife with ethical wonderings and on the verge of horror. I enjoyed reading it, though it’s ending felt a little abrupt and left me wanting more.
“The Grim Reaper’s Game” by David Hankins was a humorous and heartfelt tale. The pacing was great, the mystery intriguing, and the characters full of, well, character. I look forward to his Kickstarter and getting the chance to see more of the Grim Reaper.
Wulf Moon’s story “The Saltmarsh” was an emotional rollercoaster. At first I wasn’t fond of the characters, though the descriptions were strong. As the story wore on, my feelings strengthened, and I loved the ending (no spoilers). The subtle way it was built toward was no less than exceptional.
"Worldplay" by Tris Lawrence was the last story in the anthology that really spoke to me; I loved the characters and intrigue and found myself wishing to play the game the story was about.
October 22, 2024
Yes! A very enjoyable collection of stories - some eerie, some funny. I personally love games so I found it easy to relate to the "game" theme of each story.
July 14, 2023
Some more great short stories from Zombies Need Brains! My favorite is The Grim Reaper's Game.
October 16, 2023
I mean anthologies are always hit or miss for me
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews