Game On! ― Video Game History from Pong and Pac-man to Mario, Minecraft, and More

Veteran video game designer Dustin Hansen takes YA readers on a fun and fascinating trip through the brief but intensely innovative history of video games.

Find out about the fast and furious growth and evolution of video games (including how they are quickly taking over the world!) by looking at some of the most popular, innovative, and influential games ever, from Pong, the very first arcade game ever, to modern hits like Uncharted.

Learn about the creators and inspiration (Mario was named after Nintendo’s landlord after he barged into a staff meeting demanding rent), discover historical trivia and Easter eggs (The developers of Halo 2 drank over 24,000 gallons of soda while making the game), and explore the innovations that make each game special (The ghosts in Pac-Man are the first example of AI in a video game).

Finally, here's a young adult nonfiction book about video games. Whether you consider yourself a hard-core gamer or are just curious to see what everyone is talking about, Game On! is the book for you!

Praise for Game On!:

"This zippy primer on video game development takes readers from the arcades of the 1970s to Minecraft and the future of gaming. . . . The well-told origin tales are a fantastic mash-up of pop and gaming culture. . . " —School Library Journal

"This lengthy love letter comes from a self-professed video game addict. Thirty-nine breezy, irreverent chapters celebrate individual games . . . Unabashedly enthusiastic, author Hansen also provides tips on how to evaluate games for personal enjoyment. . . . true gamers will be delighted." —Booklist

"This zippy, funny, enthusiastic volume offers snapshot looks at the key moments in video game history." —The Bulletin