The Age of Video Games: A Graphic History of Gaming from Pong to VR and Beyond

by Jean Zeid, Emilie Rouge, Jen Vaughn (translator)

Press Start on an immersive journey revealing the pixels, polygons, and people that revolutionized entertainment forever. Join journalist Jean Zeid, artist Émilie Rouge, and their console pal Roby to learn how digital dreams built an industry now worth hundreds of billions of dollars. This engaging and comprehensive graphic novel is a knowledge power-up for hardcore gamers and curious noobs of all ages!



Time travel to pivotal moments in video game history with a wistful millennial Jean Zeid, extremely online zoomer, Émilie Rouge, and their robot sidekick Roby in a lively, action-packed conversation all generations of gamers will enjoy. Émilie's massive portal cannon takes the team from era-to-era, lab-to-lab, revealing the real people, inventions, and breakthroughs in gaming. Go right with them as they clear levels in 8-bit sidescrollers, combat games, simulators, multi-player RPGs, and more --- but watch your step! Includes a full index and acknowledgements.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Comics, Bande Dessinée, History, Adult

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2024

Reviews

[Stewart Tame · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is exactly what the cover promises: a history of video games in the form of a graphic novel. The subject is broad, so the treatment is fairly superficial. The book covers the high points, but, if you're looking for depth, you won't find it here.

We're ushered through the book by cartoon avatars of its creators, Jean and Émilie. And their banter and genuine affection for their subject matter help to propel a book that's largely about touching on game after game like so many bullet points on a list. Of course so many games means that at least one of your favorites will get name checked.

It's also nice to have an overview to help you figure out if there are any specific areas you'd like to explore further. I was intrigued by the earliest history, especially the games that preceded Space War. Having grown up in the Atari age, I had previously thought myself well versed in the early history. After reading this book, though, I realize that there are quite a number of contenders for First Video Game.

I also appreciated the look at the games of the most recent decade or so. I started gravitating more toward board and card games–physical media–and, aside from whatever I'd see my wife and son playing, or hear my friends talk about, I kind of lost touch with the latest video games. This book helped keep me in the loop.

So, yes, the book is on the superficial side. But I don't think that's a huge problem since it's such a vast subject after all. Jean and Émilie will give you a general map, but you'll have to do any in-depth exploring on your own.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

i can't believe a graphic novel about video games could possibly be so dense and dull. yikes. rtc!

[auré · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ils ont mentionné les MMORPG et soudainement je retourne à mon deuil de Free Realms 😪 (4.5, le format est super intéressant en plus)

[Libbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Age of Video Games is exactly what it says on the tin. A graphic novel that explores the history of video games from Pong to joysticks, 8-bit to VR it offers a lively illustrated exploration into its conception and evolution.

This graphic novel uses the narrative style of having the author and illustrator be "characters" in the book. One asking questions and the other being the guide through the history. This style has it's good moments but in general it falls flat. The jokes don't land, the dialogue is clunky and the chronology isn't always chronological. It was a good idea but a poor execution.

The art style is nice enough. It is quite simplistic but it does it's job.

I had a good enough time reading this and I did learn some things. Though it is also quite dense and could have been more light.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel publishing for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own

[Valerie Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

"human rights and video games are for everyone"

this had some fun facts, but the chronology was so discombobulated, the language contained a lot misused Gen Z slang, and the explanations ranged from explaining what MMORPG means and then following it up with what MMO means, as well as including phonetic pronunciation of MMORPG (hint: it's just the letters) and gives a definition for "fail", but then doesn't explain LAN or AAA

alsooooo, the art style, premise, and language reminded A LOT of Side Quest: A Visual History of Roleplaying Games so that was interesting

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sympathique bande dessinée remplie de chouettes références et qui a clairement été écrite et illustrée par des personnes amoureuses des jeux vidéo. Très intéressant pour les gameurs et gameuses, mais également un bon portrait de cette industrie pour les non-initié·e·s !

[Kelly-Ann McFern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un petit bijou de roman graphique qui porte sur l'histoire des jeux vidéos. Ça paraît que les deux personnes qui ont participé à ce roman graphique aiment les jeux vidéo d'un amour immense car je l'ai senti lors de ma lecture.

Oui, le texte fait en sorte que le tout peut paraître parfois dense (surtout lors de la traduction de certains jargons et mots en anglais), mais j'ai trouvé que l'ensemble était bien vulgarisé. Les images sont variées et colorées ce qui attire notre attention. Il y a beaucoup de références à des jeux vidéos (populaires et un peu plus méconnus), mais aussi aux personnalités qui ont contribué à cet art. J'ai apprécié le fait qu'on fait la part entre les hommes et les femmes qui ont participé à la révolution.

C'est un roman graphique qui m'a souvent fait sourire lors de la lecture pour l'humour, les petits easter eggs (ceux qui savent, savent) et qui m'a fait redécouvrir et apprécier encore plus les jeux vidéos. J'ai toujours eu beaucoup de respect pour le jeu vidéo car je suis moi-même une gamer, mais c'était magnifique d'en constater l'évolution. Je recommande chaudement à tous (débutants et experts)!

[GONZA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since not only my life as a video gamer, but also my real life took place at the same time as the Games Evolution, it was very nice to “reread” it through the games I most enjoyed. The illustrations are the right complement for the detailed explanations of the various games related to technological evolution.

Siccome non solo la mia vita da videogiocatrice, ma anche quella reale si é svolta in contemporanea con i videogiochi, é stato molto bella "rileggerla" attraverso i giochi che piú mi sono piaciuti. I disegni non levano nulla alle spiegazioni dettagliate dei vari giochi collegati all'evoluzione tecnologica.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Atlanta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun with this one! This lively graphic novel takes you through the history of video games, providing tidbits and insight that may be totally new to many readers. The catalyst for the tale is that the author and illustrator are actually characters in the story and are basically traveling through time to witness these historical moments, a la Bill and Ted. This is a really cool way to share the information, but I feel like it would have fit better if there were more of a solid storyline happening to them. I assume they're doing it so they can make a book together? The interactions between these characters are awkward at best, with the two having different priorities throughout this exploration. It's all kind of meta, which is neat. Lots of information shared in a fun, accessible way. The two clearly have definite respect for the artform so it was interesting to see how willing they were to call out the problems of this media as well.
Very neat, very informative. I do desire a more clear connection between the two characters because I felt it drew me out of the immersion, but not so much that it was a problem.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading books about video games, and I enjoy graphic novels, so this book was basically the perfect fit for me! It covers the history of video games (so it’s technically nonfiction) but also has a fantasy element with the author/illustrator of the book being transported to various game worlds. The art was gorgeous and they did an excellent job capturing known video game characters and settings to be easily recognizable. The book was also surprisingly humorous at times. Being a graphic novel, it was an easy read, but had plenty of interesting information. I would recommend this for anyone who is interested in video game history.

[Stella Patajac · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason I picked up this book was the fact that I didn't know much about the history of video games and it seemed like a fun way to learn since I love graphic novels and I don't really read them as much as I would like to.

It didn't disappoint in the slightest. It was super easy to read and the illustrations are SO SO cute and well drawn. The story is a bit more on the informative side, which was precisely what I expected - it really did educate me about the history of video games and technology and how it all evolved during the last couple of decades, so I didn't mind.

I would absolutely recommend this to someone who wants to broaden their knowledge of this particular topic, but also to those who are already familiar with it, to see it in this format as well.

I would like to thank McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this had more of a straight-line timeline, but overall, an entertaining and informative look into the history of video games. And woohoo that female creators are mentioned!!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une ode à un art trop souvent oublié, le jeu vidéo, considéré à tort comme un loisir idiot alors qu'il peut être politique, inclusif, instructif, engagé.
Ma seule retenue se base sur un surplus de texte qui parfois nous empêche de pleinement nous concentrer sur les dessins.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a FUN trip down memory lane. I took a break from my spooky season reading to read this because it's overdue at the library...ooops...but I'm so glad I did. If you've grown up playing video games...are an 80s kid...this is a wild and fun trip through time. I remember playing so many of the games they show here...playing on the different consoles...and it was all presented in a fun and engaging way. Highly recommend if you are someone who grew up playing video games through the 80s and 90s.

[✨Little Lit Lady✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am from the Nintendo generation and I have to say I have never known any of the facts, people, or how video games came to be. My husband and I love video games so much and we kept devouring the information. I loved the illustrations they were well done. If you are a gamer like everyone is in my house then read the origins of gaming…. Game over!

I want to thank NetGalley for letting me read this cool ARC

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel was a lot of fun and very informative. I loved the art and how nostalgic the game references were. My only complaint is that sometimes the lettering/text felt very small and hard to read especially in places were a lot of text was included in a small frame.

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashleigh Spicy Geek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
I absolutely love this graphic novel. First off I really like the artwork for it. Really fun. While there were parts of the history of gaming and computers that I did already know, there was also a lot that I didn’t and really enjoyed learning about in a fun way. It was also nice to learn about some games that I hadn’t heard of before and now want to check out to play. Highly recommend to anyone who loves graphic novels and video games and I plan on preordering a physically copy for my home library.

[Khris Sellin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging read about the history of video games. Very superficial, but a fun romp through time.

[Toi Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book several months ago and experienced a medical emergency that kept me from reviewing it. I'm happy to finally be posting my thoughts. The main reason that I didn't give this book a higher rating was due to some concerns with the execution that might not appeal to readers who aren’t fans of the content. For regular comic book readers and fans of video games, I don't think my execution concerns would interfere too greatly with their overall experience.

My execution concerns begin with the story. I thought it was a clever idea to create three characters, going on an adventure through videogames, and depict it all in this visual medium. The problem, for me, was that we didn't really get to experience the "adventure". Because the history, the information the writers were sharing with the readers, was the main subject on any given page, the adventure always seemed like an afterthought. Still, it was fun to see the characters popping up in the various games over time.

My next issue was the characters themselves. If I remember, the characters represent the writer and the illustrator, with the addition of a robot companion. Again, because the history- the lesson being taught- was the central focus, we never get to know the characters. I wasn't concerned about what happened to the characters from one panel to the next. Sure, they had some quirky traits that drew my attention from time to time, but they could have appeared as constantly altering avatars from scene to scene and think I would have felt the same way about them. But, overall, they were likable, which is saying a lot. It's so easy to create annoying characters, but these weren't that. Thank goodness.

Lastly, the timeline or lack thereof. I 100% understand that you can't share a history like this in a linear fashion without leaving something out, but I wish they'd found a better way to keep the reader grounded as they jumped back and forth with dates, places, and names. Not sure what the solution to this problem is, but it was a struggle for me; especially anytime revisiting something already covered in a different capacity. If this doesn't make sense, ignore it. It was a minor concern.

Overall, I wish I had been healthier at the time I read it. I probably would have talked all my friends heads off about it. I really did enjoy the overall experience. I highly recommend this book to fans of visual media, specifically video games, and regular comic/graphic readers.

I received a digital ARC of this book which has in no way affected the outcome of this review.

[Jon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am passionate about video games so I was eagerly awaiting to read this. Unfortunately, I DNFd this.

The art, to put it bluntly, is bad.

The constant attempts at humor consistently fell flat for me; though I believe this was originally written in French, so it may be that the humor simply didn’t translate well to English?

Finally, some of the inclusion and examples of video games history were bizzare (like the 1992 PC version of Dune…really?).

I give this work two stars for simply trying to tackle a subject that is terribly in dearth of material. The quality itself is unfortunately lacking.

[Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley, the authors, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I feel horrible saying this, but this graphic novel was really dull. If I didn't recieve it as an ARC, I would have DNFd it. I did learn some fun facts that were new to me, but overall it was too much. Visually, the graphics were really cute and well done! I found the story to be so focused on telling us EVERYTHING the authors knew about video games and forgetting that it also has to be interesting. The information is so dense that even an avid gamer, like myself, felt checked out.

[Espen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The historical aspect of this graphic novel intrigued me and kept me going throughout the book because sadly, the rest fell flat for me. Émilie's and Jean's story didn't catch my interest.

[Juliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Gaming - Eine Pixel-Zeitreise“ ist eine Graphic Novel über die Geschichte der Videospiele. Ich zocke total gern, schon seit Ewigkeiten, gebe mich öfter dem Retro-Feeling hin und schwelge in nostalgischen Erinnerungen. Daher musste ich dieses Buch unbedingt lesen. Und ich habe keine Sekunde bereut!

Seit mehr als fünfzig Jahren sind sie nicht mehr wegzudenken und nicht nur für Nerds ein wichtiger Bestandteil des Alltags: Games. Jean Zeid nimmt uns mit auf eine Zeitreise und geht sowohl auf die interessantesten Spiele der letzten fünf Jahrzehnte als auch auf alle bisher erschienenen Konsolen und Computer ein. Mit Émilie Rouge hat er sich eine talentierte Illustratorin an seine Seite geholt, die all seine Erzählungen in Comics verpackt und ihnen auf erfrischende Art Leben einhaucht. Pures Retro-Feeling!

Erinnert ihr euch noch an euren ersten Gameboy? Eure erste Konsole? An die ersten Top Scores und Rankings? An Lan-Partys mit Freunden? Hachz!

Ganz nebenbei bekommt man hier eine wunderschöne Erinnerung an seine Kindheit! So habe ich ganz viele Spiele wiederentdeckt, die bereits aus meinem Bewusstsein verschwunden waren. Keine Ahnung, wie viele Stunden ich damals vor dem Nintendo gesessen und Spiele wie Tetris, Sonic und Super Mario Bros. gesuchtet habe. Daran erinnere ich mich immer wieder gerne. Genauso wie an den Atari, auf dem die Grafik ziemlich grausig war, wo der Spielspaß aber im Vordergrund stand. So viele Spiele, die man damals geliebt und bereits vergessen hat, kommen einem wieder in den Sinn und lassen Erinnerungen aufkeimen.

Das Autorenduo glänzt mit tiefgründigem Fachwissen und jeder Menge Unterhaltung. Ich fand es witzig, dass die beiden sich die Hauptrollen in ihrem eigenen Buch zugespielt haben. Das beweist noch mehr, wie humorvoll sie sind und wie sehr sie in der Gamerszene (immer noch) verankert sind. Die Illustrationen passen sich den Generationen perfekt an und entführen uns in eine andere, jedoch nicht unbekannte Welt. Hier kommt wirklich jeder auf seine Kosten und wird genau wie ich Freude daran haben, sich die Spiele seiner Kindheit wieder in Erinnerung zu rufen.

Fazit: Diese Graphic Novel ist ein Must-read für alle (Retro) Gaming Fans. Humorvoll nimmt uns das Autorenduo mit auf eine Zeitreise durch die Gamingwelt der letzten fünfzig Jahre. Von damals bis heute – es gibt viel zu entdecken und obendrein werden die Erinnerungen wieder aufgefrischt. Einfach cool!

[Frank Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wie schafft man es, eine Geschichte der Computerspiele-Industrie zu schreiben und dann noch als Graphic Novel? Diese Frage stellten sich der Autor Jean Zeid und die Illustratorin Emilie Rouge und verfrachteten sich kurzerhand selbst in das Buch. Die beiden verfügen über eine Zeitmaschine, mit der sie in die jeweilige Zeit und zum passenden Ort teleportieren können.

Ein interessanter Schachzug, denn so ist die Darstellung nicht trocken sachlich, sondern die jeweiligen Ereignisse werden aufgelockert dargestellt. Zu Beginn der Ära hängt vieles von den verfügbaren Rechnern ab, weshalb sich vieles an den Universitäten abspielt. Und genau hier beginnt die Zeitreise und geht im weiteren Verlauf nicht immer einen gradlinigen direkten Weg zum nächsten Ereignis, denn manchmal liefen Entwicklungen parallel ab.

Die beiden schauen dabei nicht nur auf die Entwicklung der Spielekonsolen und Computer, sondern auch auf die Spielautomaten oder die kleinen Handhelds mit LCD-Bildschirm. Auffällig sind die vielen Meilensteine in diesem Buch, die als wegweisend bezeichnet werden, wobei bestimmte Aspekte ein bisschen anders dargestellt wurden, als sie mir bekannt sind. So hatte z.B. das erste Doom eine wegweisende Entwicklung angestoßen. Zum einen die Verbreitung über Zeitschriften und zum anderen die lokale Vernetzung der Rechner. In diesem Buch wird Doom in einem Atemzug mit Wolfenstein 3D genannt, das wegen seiner Nazi-Symbolik in Deutschland verboten wurde (und bis heute ist). Lediglich die entschärfte Version wurde später für den deutschen Markt freigegeben.

Einige Dinge der Spielegeschichte wurden nicht genannt. Darunter fallen zum einen die schon erwähnten Spielezeitschriften, die den ein oder anderen Hype befeuert haben und zum anderen diverse Kontroversen, rund um Ego-Shooter oder Götter-Spiele, wie z.B. Black & White, das erst gar nicht in dem Buch erwähnt wird. Apropos, wer ein bestimmtes Spiel sucht, findet hinten ein Verzeichnis, in dem alle Spiele und Spiele-Entwickler aufgelistet sind.

Es ist eine ungewöhnliche Zeitreise auf die Jean Zeid und Emilie Rouge die Leserschaft mitnehmen. Trotz aller Kritik gibt das Buch einen guten Überblick über die Entwicklung der Spiele zuerst an wissenschaftlichen Instituten der Universitäten bis hin zum heutigen Handyspiel-Boom. Wer wissen möchte, wie diese Entwicklung seinen Lauf nahm, kann gerne diese Graphic Novel dafür heranziehen.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel that sets out to cover the long history of video games as a medium. As someone who has been fascinated by games since the age of 5, I found the concept extremely interesting, and having read the entire thing I can say that the book certainly did not disappoint.

'The Age of Video Games' has its two protagonists, Jean and Émilie themselves, travel through time, and sometimes into the worlds of each specific game they are referencing, telling the story of how video games started as a concept, how they interconnect with the history of programming and the personal computer, and how they evolved into the global industry that is now an inseparable part of modern pop culture. There are also many mentions of the people who helped shape the gaming medium, from the early days of the Atari and on. It was good seeing some lesser known names appear, and also seeing the many, many women who have been a part of gaming history since the beginning, being mentioned and credited for their contributions too.

The book wins major points for using comic book format to tell its story. Having the reader being flooded with facts could have become boring very soon, but the beautiful, colourful illustrations accompanying the banter really kept things interesting. I loved the art, and I loved all the video game references and how it changed and adapted accordingly when it depicted different worlds and characters. It kept a solid balance between remaining consistent and making each homage immediately recognisable.

Of course it was impossible to reference every single game, but the book really does an impressive job in covering a lot of ground in that regard. Apart from the big players that one cannot omit when talking about the history of gaming, it was nice seeing indie titles also referenced. On a personal level, it was also good seeing games like 'Full Throttle', 'Maniac Mansion, and 'Grim Fandango' pop up as well. If I had a nitpick, it was that the modern slang sometimes felt a bit inorganic, but admittedly the jokes between the two characters did land for me.

It's a read I'd recommend to anyone with an interest in the history of gaming, as it's a love letter to the medium written with a lot of knowledge and a lot of love for the subject matter.

A big thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with a copy.

[Oliver Snowden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Age of Video Games: A Graphic History from Pong to VR and Beyond by Jean Zeid & Émilie Rouge

For fans of joysticks, cartridges, and pixelated nostalgia, The Age of Video Games offers a lively, illustrated romp through the evolution of gaming. Authors Jean Zeid amd illustrator Émilie Rouge deliver a vibrant chronicle that spans from the humble bleeps of *Pong* to the immersive realms of virtual reality, making it a delightful pick-up for anyone who’s ever gripped a controller.

The book’s greatest strength lies in its sprawling tour of gaming history. Readers will find themselves playing a mental game of “have I played this?” as iconic titles, consoles, and industry milestones flash by. From Pac-Man to minecraft and beyond the journey is peppered with familiar faces and lesser-known gems, ensuring both casual gamers and seasoned enthusiasts will uncover something to spark curiosity. While self-professed gaming and history buffs may find much of the content familiar, the authors sprinkle in enough obscure trivia to send even experts down a Wikipedia rabbit hole.

Visually, the graphic-novel-style illustrations by Émilie Rouge are playful and colorful, though they may not win over every reader. The art’s whimsical, cartoonish flair suits the lighthearted tone of the book, but those craving hyper-detailed renderings of their favorite franchises might find it a tad simplistic. That said, art is subjective—some will adore its retro charm, while others might shrug.

At its core, The Age of Video Games succeeds as an accessible, engaging primer on gaming’s past. It doesn’t aim to be an exhaustive academic deep dive but rather a celebratory homage to the medium’s creativity and cultural impact. Whether you’re a parent introducing your kids to Super Mario lore or a Gen Z gamer curious about the pre-Xbox era, this book is a breezy, entertaining gateway into the stories behind the screens.
3 stars out of 5.
Press start and dive in!

Thanks to Andrews McMeel publishing for providing this book for review through netgalley all opinions are my own.

#TheAgeofVideoGames #NetGalley

[Emi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Publishing date: 22.07.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

TLDR: A very dense and informative book following the history of video games. 3 stars

This is a very interesting book in the sense of the history, however ... It felt a bit like a chore.
In this book we follow two characters wading through the history of video games. One is a more modern and younger player, the other is an older and more retro gamer. These two interact a lot with each other and try to be funny, but it doesn't always land.

The artstyle is fine. Simple, but works. I feel no particular way about it.

Now to a few of my gripes. The history is presented in a pretty linear way to begin with where we start from the very beginning and moving up through the years. Then suddenly, we get a chapter that moves back in time. This was a little jarring and made me lose track of when we were in the previous chapter. This keeps happening several times and took me out as much as the first time it happened. I believe the book would benefit more from a timeline structure instead of chapters tackling certain aspects of video game history. It would feel a little more streamlined and more accessible to readers. Right now, it is just a little too messy.

My other gripe is with the intended audience. While yes, this explains video games in a way that works for newbies, it is just a little too dense to keep their attention. For the more experienced audience (like myself) lots of the pages are dedicated to explaining and showing off more commonly known information. The density was also a problem for me. Just too big of a bite at a time.

Overall, this is very informative and works for the most part. But I find it a little hard to recommend to the right person. Streamline the content, pluck out the densest speaking bubbles into singular frames with the info, and you will have a more accessible read.
Giving this 3 stars for the potential.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Gaming: Eine Pixel-Zeitreise" ist ein super cooler Sachcomic, der dich auf eine spannende Reise durch die Geschichte der Videospiele mitnimmt. Stell dir vor, du triffst die Zeichnerin Émilie und einen Roboter namens Roby, die zusammen in der Zeit reisen, um uns zu zeigen, wie alles mit dem Gaming anfing.

Das Buch startet ganz früh, schon 1962, als am MIT (einer großen Uni in Amerika) Studenten ein Spiel namens "Spacewar!" entwickeln, um zu zeigen, was Computer so draufhaben. Damals waren die Spieler und Programmierer mostly Forscher und Professoren, nicht Kinder. Es gab auch andere frühe Spiele wie "Tic-Tac-Toe" oder "Tennis for Two", und sogar die erste Frau, die ein Videospiel geschrieben hat: Mabel Addis Mergardt mit "The Sumerian Game".

Der Comic erklärt, dass Videospiele nicht an einem einzigen Ort entstanden sind, sondern überall da, wo Menschen mit Computern experimentiert haben. Es wird gezeigt, wie sich Gaming von einem Hobby in den Forschungslaboren zu einem riesigen Wirtschaftszweig entwickelt hat, der heute sogar größer ist als die Film- und Musikindustrie. Es ist faszinierend zu sehen, wie Spiele wie "Computer Space" und die erste Heimkonsole, das "Odyssey" von Ralph Baer, den Weg für das moderne Gaming geebnet haben.

Die Art, wie die Geschichte erzählt wird, ist echt unterhaltsam. Es ist ein Comic, also gibt es viele Bilder, die alles super verständlich machen, auch wenn man kein Gaming-Profi ist. Die Sprache ist einfach und locker, so dass man gut folgen kann. Man merkt, dass Gaming nicht nur ein Zeitvertreib ist, sondern auch Freundschaften schafft und Gefühle ausdrücken kann. Es ist ein Hobby für jedes Alter und jeden Ort auf der Welt.

Alles in allem ist "Gaming: Eine Pixel-Zeitreise" ein tolles Buch für alle, die mehr über Videospiele erfahren wollen, egal ob jung oder alt, Gamer oder Neuling. Es ist informativ und macht Spaß zu lesen!

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

The Age of Video Games is a graphic novel covering the history of videogames as a medium. The two authors alongside a mascot appear as characters that guide us through history and across the globe.

There were parts of this that worked very well for me and parts that didn't. Let's start with the good. I enjoyed learning more about the history of videogames, a medium I have loved for as long as I can remember. It was great to see franchises I love appear throughout the book alongside learning new tidbits about the gaming industry. The authors take care to spotlight diversity in gender, race, and sexuality.

However I constantly got pulled out of the flow of the story by the characters guiding us through the history of videogames. They are bland stereotypes that don't quite feel appropriate for an adult audience. The jokes they make don't land and are at times even mildly offensive. I also didn't enjoy the way they included millenial slang on top of the game slang that isn't always used in the correct fashion.

The art though is wonderful. The semi-realistic art style suits the informative storytelling and most real life people are well depicted. Some smaller nitpicks I have was that Twitch as a platform wasn't mentioned. Also the subtitle isn't quite accurate since there wasn't much speculation about where the gaming industry will go in the future.

Overall this graphic novel is a fun way, packaged in a neat art style, to learn about the gaming industry. While I personally didn't enjoy the characters leading us around, not everyone will feel bothered by this. The Age of Video Games would make a great gift for anyone that enjoys videogames.

Thank you Jean Zeid, Émilie Rouge and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read The History of Science Fiction by Xavier Dollo a few years ago now and as a graphic work translated from French, I really dug it. Figured this might be similar and in some ways, it is. Dollo actually does historical depth and context a bit better than Jean Zeid, though having the pair of narrators is reminiscent of my recent reading of The Mythmakers. The problem is in some of the translation and the sequencing. Some of the language sounds stilted and the humor didn’t click very consistently for me. I appreciated how often Zeid focuses on both French and diverse contributions within the gaming industry while acknowledging many of its structural flaws as an industry.

In terms of sequencing, there’s a trend towards chronology but there’s also so much back-tracking and chronological reversing to add context that it never quite makes sense why the ordering proceeds as it does. The write-ups for most games feel limited, even when they get a full page sequence given the brevity of the text. This all amounts to a lot of history snapshotting in a way that does derive tons of critical examination up until the very end. The other reason I think this didn’t land as provocatively for me is that while I’m not super-well versed in scifi from 1890-1960 (certainly not about the depth of authors’ contributions and their connectedness within the industry), I definitely know quite a bit more about gaming from the 80s to today. This left me curious about the target audience — it almost felt like it wasn’t for gamers? Or for newer, younger games who lack this historical context? But would this really appeal to them? I’ll be curious if I can recommend it to any of the 8-10yos we know and see if any of them gravitate to it.