Overview

Have you ever wondered what video games would be like if they never changed? The first games were little more than bouncing dots on a plain screen. Modern games include astonishing action, realistic environments, and epic story lines. Take a look at how video games have evolved over the years, and learn about the kinds of games we might be playing in the future.

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9781467712484

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Reviews

Cutesy titles turn me off, but the content of The Epic Evolution of Video Games caught my interest. It is one of a series of books aimed at preteen gamers. And, realistically, the title and cover would be attractive to this age group. The small 30 page hardbound book is packed with great graphics and the lowdown on video game history, from the 1950s Bouncing Ball to today's complex role playing simulations. I was an enthusiastic gamer on the first Nintendo console and enjoyed the story of game development. Six websites are included at the end of the book for players eager to learn more about their favorite games. Arie Kaplan is a well-known pop-culture writer and has penned an engaging narrative. This book satisfies the Science and Technology standard and would be a good free-reading book choice as well as a technology resource for middle school students. --NSTA Recommends --Website Young gamers who wonder what's inside their Xboxes or how those dramatic graphics are created will come away from these satisfying volumes with plenty of facts. This set introduces information about software, game engines, famous gaming developers, and careers. The history of video games and gaming's physical and educational benefits are also covered. The photos are largely energy-boosting filler, but the texts offer specific, up-to-date references and facts. Readers who want to know even more will find the annotated resource lists helpful. --School Library Journal, Series Made Simple --Journal This series describes the meteoric rise of the video game industry. It features attractive packaging to appeal to devoted young game players. Each volume explains a different aspect of the field, including interesting facts about the most popular (and unpopular) video games and the people who created them. The Awesome Inner Workings of Video Games explains what is inside that plastic console, what computer code looks like, and how a game console's 'brain' makes decisions. The Epic Evolution of Video Games describes the earliest games with their bouncing dots on a plain screen through modern games with fast action, realistic environments, and epic story lines. Readers learn how video games evolved over the years and what kind of games they can look forward to playing in the future. Other books in the series describe the people who launched the gaming industry, what inspired some favorite video games, and what it takes to work in the fast-paced video game business. This high-interest series will capture the attention of the video game generation. The twelve short chapters each feature two-page spreads of bold color photos, brief text boxes, and eye-catching graphics that make for easy browsing and reading. Interesting quick facts and sidebars provide nuggets of information that will whet readers' appetites and a section at the end of each book offers sources for further information. This is an entertaining and informative set with design and content best suited for young teens. --VOYA --Journal

Author Information

Arie Kaplan has written jokes and comedy sketches for the television series TruTV Presents: World's Dumbest.... He has also written humor articles for MAD Magazine. Aside from his work as a comedy writer, Arie has written numerous nonfiction books for young readers on subjects ranging from the life of Vlad the Impaler to the history of pop music. As a comics writer, he has written comic book stories and graphic novels for DC Comics, Archie Comics, Bongo Comics, IDW Publishing, Penguin Young Readers Group, and other publishers. He is the author of the acclaimed nonfiction book From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books, which was a 2008 finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. He lives with his family in New York City. Please check out his website, www.ariekaplan.com

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