Game Plan: Great Designs that Changed the Face of Computer Gaming

by Ste Curran

Taking in ten works of gaming genius from video gaming's brief, rich history, Game Plan explores how these pivotal pieces of digital art evolved the industry. Conversations with creators and producers reveal the inspirations behind their masterworks, as well as giving insights into the development process itself. Games examined include Namco's pill-thrill Pac-Man, Shigeru Miyamoto's epoch-defining Mario 64, and Bell and Braben's mid-1980's space opera, Elite. Also featured is Tomb Raider, the UK's biggest selling game of all time, which turned Laura Croft from 500 triangles into a style icon, defined gaming's break into the mainstream at the end of the 1990s, and even won a BAFTA for its outstanding contribution to the interactive industry. Illustrated with original concept sketches, work in progress CGI renders, and screenshots of the finished creations, Game Plan offers a chance to both savor its past and catch a glimpse of its stellar future.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2004

Reviews

[Ricardo Sousa · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

Very interesting read, especially for those who played video games through the 90s and are interested in the stories behind some of the biggest successes from that decade.

Each game represents a different genre and the book hit a particularly weak spot for me by covering the Broken Sword, one of my favorite games of all time.

Would love to see a new version of this book showcasing the main innovations post 2000/ 2010