The Video Games Textbook, 2nd Edition

The Video Games Textbook, 2nd Edition

by Brian J. Wardyga
Released June 2023
Publisher(s): CRC Press
ISBN: 9781000868227

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Book description

The Video Games Textbook takes the history of video games to another level, with visually-stimulating, comprehensive, and chronological chapters that are relevant and easy to read for a variety of students.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Half Title
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright Page
  5. Table of Contents
  6. List of Abbreviations
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. Author
  9. Introduction
  10. Chapter 1 ◾ The First Video Games
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. First-Generation Timeline
    4. From Penny Arcades to Pinball
    5. The First Interactive Computer Games
    6. Tennis for Two
    7. Spacewar!
    8. Computer Space
    9. Magnavox Odyssey
    10. Understanding Odyssey Games
    11. Pro File: Ralph Baer
    12. Pong
    13. Pong for Your Home TV
    14. Coleco Telstar
    15. Color TV-Game Series
    16. First-Generation Market Summary
    17. First-Generation Breakthroughs and Trends
    18. Chapter 1 Quiz
    19. Figures
    20. References
  11. Chapter 2 ◾ Behind the Technology
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Chapter Outline
    4. Introduction
    5. Under the Hood
    6. CPU
    7. RAM and ROM
    8. BIOS
    9. Graphics and Sound Cards
    10. Ports
    11. Making the Connection
    12. Bits and Bytes
    13. Hertz and Frame Rate
    14. Scanning Systems
    15. Monitor Types
    16. Video Formats
    17. ASCII and Vector Graphics
    18. Raster and Polygon Graphics
    19. Shaders, Flops, and Cores
    20. Color and Lighting
    21. Perspective
    22. Sound and Music
    23. Sound Theory
    24. Pro File: Sid Meier
    25. Chapter 2 Quiz
    26. Figures
    27. References
  12. Chapter 3 ◾ The Atari Generation
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Console Timeline
    4. The Golden Age
    5. The Second Generation
    6. Atari VCS (2600)
    7. Pro File: Nolan Bushnell
    8. Console Comparison
    9. Key Atari VCS Titles
    10. Magnavox Odyssey2
    11. Console Comparison: Odyssey2 vs. Atari VCS
    12. Key Magnavox Odyssey2 Titles
    13. Mattel Intellivision
    14. Handheld Snapshot: Milton Bradley Microvision
    15. Console Comparison: Intellivision vs. Atari VCS and Odyssey2
    16. Key Intellivision Titles
    17. Colecovision
    18. Console Comparison: ColecoVision vs. Atari VCS and Intellivision
    19. Key ColecoVision Titles
    20. Atari 5200
    21. Console Comparison: Atari 5200 vs. ColecoVision
    22. Key Atari 5200 Titles
    23. Video Game Crash of 1983
    24. Second-Generation Market Summary
    25. Second-Generation Breakthroughs and Trends
    26. Chapter 3 Quiz
    27. Figures
    28. References
  13. Chapter 4 ◾ Early PC Gaming
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Early Computer Timeline
    4. Introduction
    5. Apple I and II
    6. Hardware Comparison: Apple II vs. Atari VCS (2600)
    7. Key Apple II Titles
    8. Electronic Arts
    9. Apple II Successors
    10. Atari 8-bit Family: 400 and 800
    11. Pro File: Steve Wozniak
    12. Computer Comparison: Atari 8-bit vs. Apple II
    13. Key Atari 8-bit Titles
    14. Extended Family: Atari 8-bit Successors
    15. Commodore 64
    16. Computer Comparison: Commodore 64 vs. Atari 8-bit
    17. Key Commodore 64 Titles
    18. Commodore 64 Successors
    19. Made in Japan
    20. NEC PC-98
    21. MSX
    22. Best of Britain
    23. ZX Spectrum
    24. Amstrad CPC
    25. End of an Era
    26. Market Summary
    27. Chapter 4 Quiz
    28. Figures
    29. References
  14. Chapter 5 ◾ The 8-Bit Era
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Console Timeline
    4. The Arcade Scene
    5. The Third Generation
    6. Nintendo Famicom
    7. Coming to America
    8. Nintendo Entertainment System
    9. Handheld Snapshot: Nintendo Game & Watch
    10. Console Comparison: NES vs. Atari 2600
    11. Pro File: Shigeru Miyamoto
    12. Key NES Titles
    13. Sega Mark III
    14. Sega Master System
    15. Console Comparison: SMS vs. NES
    16. Key Sega Master System Titles
    17. Atari 7800 ProSystem
    18. Console Comparison: Atari 7800 vs. NES & SMS
    19. Key Atari 7800 Titles
    20. Third-Generation Market Summary
    21. Third-Generation Breakthroughs and Trends
    22. Chapter 5 Quiz
    23. Figures
    24. References
  15. Chapter 6 ◾ The 16-Bit Era
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Console Timeline
    4. Arcade Revival
    5. The 16-Bit Era
    6. Pro File: Yu Suzuki
    7. NEC PC Engine
    8. TurboGrafx-16
    9. Console Comparison: TurboGrafx-16 vs. NES
    10. Key PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 Titles
    11. Sega Mega Drive
    12. Sega Genesis
    13. Handheld Snapshot: Game Boy
    14. Console Comparison: Genesis vs. TurboGrafx-16
    15. Key Mega Drive/Genesis Titles
    16. Handheld Snapshot: Atari Lynx
    17. Super Famicom
    18. Super Nintendo
    19. Console Comparison: Super Nintendo vs. SEGA & NEC
    20. Key Super Famicom/Super Nintendo Titles
    21. SNK Neo•Geo AES
    22. Handheld Snapshot: Sega Game Gear
    23. Console Comparison: Neo•Geo AES vs. Genesis & SNES
    24. Key Neo•Geo Titles
    25. Fourth-Generation Market Summary
    26. Fourth-Generation Breakthroughs and Trends
    27. Chapter 6 Quiz
    28. Figures
    29. References
  16. Chapter 7 ◾ Sex and Violence Take Center Stage
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Chapter Outline
    4. Introduction
    5. Who Plays Video Games?
    6. Sex and Softporn Adventure
    7. Custer’s Revenge
    8. Leisure Suit Larry
    9. Night Trap and FMV Games
    10. The Guy Game
    11. Grand Theft Auto and Mods
    12. Gender, Identity, and Race
    13. Early Video Game Violence
    14. Mortal Kombat
    15. Regulation and the ESRB
    16. PEGI, CERO, AND IARC
    17. Doom and First-Person Shooters
    18. Pro File: Doug Lowenstein
    19. Rockstar Games and Legislation
    20. Effects of Video Game Violence
    21. Other Effects of Video Games
    22. Chapter 7 Quiz
    23. Figures
    24. References
  17. Chapter 8 ◾ The 3D Era
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Console Timeline
    4. Arcades in Flux
    5. The 3D Era
    6. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
    7. Console Comparison: 3DO vs. 16-bit Systems
    8. Key 3DO Titles
    9. Pro File: Trip Hawkins
    10. Atari Jaguar
    11. Console Comparison: Atari Jaguar vs. 3DO
    12. Key Atari Jaguar Titles
    13. Sega 32X
    14. Sega Saturn
    15. Console Comparison: Sega Saturn vs. 3DO and Jaguar
    16. Key Saturn Titles
    17. Changes at Sega
    18. Sony PlayStation
    19. Console Comparison: Sony PlayStation vs. Sega Saturn
    20. Key PlayStation Titles
    21. Virtual Boy
    22. Nintendo 64
    23. Console Comparison: Nintendo 64 vs. Sony PlayStation
    24. Key Nintendo 64 Titles
    25. Handheld Snapshot: Game Boy Color
    26. Fifth-Generation Market Summary
    27. Fifth-Generation Breakthroughs and Trends
    28. Chapter 8 Quiz
    29. Figures
    30. References
  18. Chapter 9 ◾ Video Games Become Big Business
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Chapter Outline
    4. Introduction
    5. Game Industry Value Chain
    6. Funding
    7. Publishing
    8. Development
    9. Manufacturing
    10. Distribution
    11. Pro File: Gabe Newell
    12. Retail
    13. End Users
    14. Data Research
    15. Big Business
    16. Video Game Conventions
    17. eSports
    18. Market Summary
    19. Chapter 9 Quiz
    20. Figures
    21. References
  19. Chapter 10 ◾ The Sixth Generation
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Console Timeline
    4. Arcade Decline and Restructuring
    5. The Sixth Generation
    6. Sega Dreamcast
    7. Console Comparison: Dreamcast vs. Fifth-Generation Consoles
    8. Key Dreamcast Titles
    9. Sony PlayStation 2
    10. Pro File: Ken Kutaragi
    11. Console Comparison: PlayStation 2 vs. Dreamcast
    12. Key PlayStation 2 Titles
    13. Nintendo GameCube
    14. Handheld Snapshot: Game Boy Advance
    15. Console Comparison: GameCube vs. PlayStation 2
    16. Key GameCube Titles
    17. Changes at Nintendo
    18. Microsoft Xbox
    19. Console Comparison: Xbox vs. PlayStation 2 and GameCube
    20. Key Xbox Titles
    21. Sixth-Generation Market Summary
    22. Sixth-Generation Breakthroughs and Trends
    23. Chapter 10 Quiz
    24. Figures
    25. References
  20. Chapter 11 ◾ The Rise of PC Gaming and VR
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Computer Milestones Timeline
    4. Introduction
    5. IBM and the Rise of the Clones
    6. Gaming in DOS
    7. Genre Pioneers of the Early 1990s
    8. Windows 95 and 3D Graphics
    9. The Golden Age of PC Gaming
    10. A New Millennium of MMOs
    11. Indie and Social Games Gather [On] Steam
    12. Virtual Online Worlds
    13. Pro File: Will Wright
    14. Virtual Reality
    15. Modern VR Pioneers
    16. Trends of the 2010s
    17. Subscription and Cloud Gaming
    18. Handheld Snapshot: Valve Steam Deck
    19. Market Summary
    20. Chapter 11 Quiz
    21. Figures
    22. References
  21. Chapter 12 ◾ The Seventh Generation
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Console Timeline
    4. Arcade Apocalypse?
    5. The Seventh Generation
    6. Xbox 360
    7. Console Comparison: Xbox 360 vs. Sixth-Generation Consoles
    8. Key Xbox 360 Titles
    9. Handheld Snapshot: Nintendo DS
    10. Sony PlayStation 3
    11. Console Comparison: PlayStation 3 vs. Xbox 360
    12. Key PlayStation 3 Titles
    13. Pro File: Hideo Kojima
    14. Handheld Snapshot: Sony PSP
    15. Nintendo Wii
    16. Console Comparison: Wii vs. PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
    17. Key Wii Titles
    18. Seventh-Generation Market Summary
    19. Seventh-Generation Breakthroughs and Trends
    20. Chapter 12 Quiz
    21. Figures
    22. References
  22. Chapter 13 ◾ Military, Science, and Education Get into the Game
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Chapter Outline
    4. Introduction
    5. Early War Games
    6. Military Simulation
    7. The Bradley Trainer
    8. Multipurpose Arcade Combat Simulator
    9. Marine Doom
    10. Pro File: John Carmack
    11. America’s Army
    12. Full Spectrum Warrior
    13. Darwars
    14. Virtual Battlefields
    15. At Ease
    16. Video Games in Science
    17. Serious Games
    18. Serious Games Showcase and Challenge
    19. Games with a Purpose
    20. Video Game Research
    21. Negative Side Effects
    22. Positive Impact
    23. Brain Development
    24. From Science to Education
    25. Popular COTS Educational Games
    26. Schools Specializing in Gaming
    27. Final Examination
    28. Chapter 13 Quiz
    29. Figures
    30. References
  23. Chapter 14 ◾ Mobile and Indie Change the Game
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Mobile Platforms Timeline
    4. Introduction
    5. Mobile and Casual Games Defined
    6. Phones Get Smart
    7. Mobile Gaming Origins
    8. The New Millennium of Mobile
    9. Nokia N-Gage
    10. The Competition
    11. Key N-Gage Titles
    12. Other Mobile Developments
    13. Gizmondo
    14. Still Growing
    15. Apple iPhone
    16. Early iPhone Games
    17. More Platforms than Ever
    18. Pro File: Steve Jobs
    19. Mobile Milestones
    20. Nintendo Goes Mobile
    21. Mobile Merits
    22. Recent Trends
    23. Mobile Gamer Profile
    24. Market Summary
    25. Chapter 14 Quiz
    26. Figures
    27. References
  24. Chapter 15 ◾ Modern Console Gaming
    1. Objectives
    2. Key Terms and People
    3. Console Timeline
    4. The Modern Arcade
    5. Modern Console Gaming
    6. Wii U
    7. Console Comparison: Wii U vs. Xbox 360 and PS3
    8. Key Wii U Titles
    9. Handheld Snapshot: Nintendo 3DS
    10. PlayStation 4
    11. Console Comparison: PlayStation 4 vs. Wii U
    12. Key PlayStation 4 Titles
    13. Pro File: Mark Cerny
    14. Handheld Snapshot: Playstation Vita
    15. Xbox One
    16. Console Comparison: Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4
    17. Key Xbox One Titles
    18. Nintendo Switch
    19. No Comparison
    20. Key Switch Titles
    21. Next Gen: Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5
    22. Console Comparison: Xbox Series X|S vs. PlayStation 5
    23. Key Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 Titles
    24. Market Summary
    25. Modern Gaming Breakthroughs and Trends
    26. Final Thoughts
    27. Chapter 15 Quiz
    28. Figures
    29. References
  25. Index

Product information

  • Title: The Video Games Textbook, 2nd Edition
  • Author(s): Brian J. Wardyga
  • Release date: June 2023
  • Publisher(s): CRC Press
  • ISBN: 9781000868227