Scan barcode
eiridium's review
5.0
This was a compelling read for me – first and foremost as a trip down memory lane. I remember getting the retail boxed Tetris for Macintosh by Spectrum Holobyte. Like many enjoyed the addictive gameplay and didn’t think much about what was going on behind the scenes – in my head, in the courts, in hotel lobbies, and behind the Iron Curtain. The story surrounding this phenomenon makes for great reading and the tangential tales that colour this recounting by Dan Ackerman make for a fine read.
I particularly enjoyed the broad context of games development in cash and technology starved labs in Russia, the cut-throat development and marketing of software in the 1980s and how it was peculiarly caught up in the geopolitics of the time. The additional discussion around how ultra-simple gameplay, finely crafted, can tap into our psyches made for fascinating reading.
I am aware (and our book club voiced a similar complaint) that this is 275 pages that could have been related in a longer article format with as much impact. However, I did not find myself dragging my way through this book, nor being aware of repeated content or overly detailed recounting of events. This is not to say that we all read differently and others mileage on this count may vary. For me, this was a satisfying read that captured the spirit of the times and re-embellished my own memories of these bygone gaming times.
I particularly enjoyed the broad context of games development in cash and technology starved labs in Russia, the cut-throat development and marketing of software in the 1980s and how it was peculiarly caught up in the geopolitics of the time. The additional discussion around how ultra-simple gameplay, finely crafted, can tap into our psyches made for fascinating reading.
I am aware (and our book club voiced a similar complaint) that this is 275 pages that could have been related in a longer article format with as much impact. However, I did not find myself dragging my way through this book, nor being aware of repeated content or overly detailed recounting of events. This is not to say that we all read differently and others mileage on this count may vary. For me, this was a satisfying read that captured the spirit of the times and re-embellished my own memories of these bygone gaming times.
eiridium's review against another edition
5.0
This was a compelling read for me – first and foremost as a trip down memory lane. I remember getting the retail boxed Tetris for Macintosh by Spectrum Holobyte. Like many enjoyed the addictive gameplay and didn’t think much about what was going on behind the scenes – in my head, in the courts, in hotel lobbies, and behind the Iron Curtain. The story surrounding this phenomenon makes for great reading and the tangential tales that colour this recounting by Dan Ackerman make for a fine read.
I particularly enjoyed the broad context of games development in cash and technology starved labs in Russia, the cut-throat development and marketing of software in the 1980s and how it was peculiarly caught up in the geopolitics of the time. The additional discussion around how ultra-simple gameplay, finely crafted, can tap into our psyches made for fascinating reading.
I am aware (and our book club voiced a similar complaint) that this is 275 pages that could have been related in a longer article format with as much impact. However, I did not find myself dragging my way through this book, nor being aware of repeated content or overly detailed recounting of events. This is not to say that we all read differently and others mileage on this count may vary. For me, this was a satisfying read that captured the spirit of the times and re-embellished my own memories of these bygone gaming times.
I particularly enjoyed the broad context of games development in cash and technology starved labs in Russia, the cut-throat development and marketing of software in the 1980s and how it was peculiarly caught up in the geopolitics of the time. The additional discussion around how ultra-simple gameplay, finely crafted, can tap into our psyches made for fascinating reading.
I am aware (and our book club voiced a similar complaint) that this is 275 pages that could have been related in a longer article format with as much impact. However, I did not find myself dragging my way through this book, nor being aware of repeated content or overly detailed recounting of events. This is not to say that we all read differently and others mileage on this count may vary. For me, this was a satisfying read that captured the spirit of the times and re-embellished my own memories of these bygone gaming times.
brandinos_life's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
staplerscissors's review
3.0
I found the last few chapters about the power plays between all the publishers and ELORG (the Russian-owned entity that owns Tetris) the most interesting. A lot of backstabbing and behind-the-scenes dealings took place, and that made for an informative and entertaining read.
The biographies about all these people throughout the book gets a little confusing because there are a lot of people involved in releasing Tetris out to the world, but it was a surprise to learn about all these early artists/developers/corporate heads/engineers/scientists and their roles in Tetris's meteoric rise and impact.
The biographies about all these people throughout the book gets a little confusing because there are a lot of people involved in releasing Tetris out to the world, but it was a surprise to learn about all these early artists/developers/corporate heads/engineers/scientists and their roles in Tetris's meteoric rise and impact.
anneliereads's review against another edition
At a certain point I thought “ok I get it” - started getting repetitive in its facts.
emheld's review
4.0
3.75/5
Fun and informative video game "biography." The impact of Tetris is as profound as its origin story is engaging.
Fun and informative video game "biography." The impact of Tetris is as profound as its origin story is engaging.
flarion's review
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
3.0
Fascinating read although not very immersive!