Although the video game industry is worth billions of dollars, it is often oversimplified based on the excitement its users experience or the revenue it generates. The truth is often much more nuanced. Video games are a commercial force that can have a significant impact on other industries, a microcosm of technological advancement, and an important indicator of cultural trends.
These books are useful tools for learning about games and players if you’re looking for new insights into the video game industry. The Pleasure of Reading has chosen the following 10 books for those who want to elevate their gaming business or hobby, practicing marketing.
#10 Freemium Economy: Leveraging User Analytics and Segmentation to Generate Revenue (2013)
With the growth of the video game industry, data analysis is more important than ever, especially as numerous gamers now have substantial purchasing power. Anyone who enjoys or creates video games can learn how to take advantage of the fundamental benefits of the model known as freemium by reading “Freemium Economy.” Industry trends and insights support the book.
Eric Seufert uses quantitative marketing to demonstrate how these models can generate significant revenue by leveraging his experience evaluating data in the intricate realm of freemium games.
One of the toughest challenges in video games is “How can I make money by giving things away?” and “Freemium Economics” provides an answer. How the freemium model works and the importance of analytics for video game creation are clear to readers.
#9 One Up: Creativity, Competition and the Global Video Game Business (2020)
With its in-depth analysis of the financial side of video games, “One Up” shifts the focus from gamers to the companies that create the games they play. Its goal is to provide readers (both gamers and non-gamers) with a better understanding of their role as consumers in the video game business and more information about the reasoning behind the decisions made by today’s video game companies. Backed by a historically and statistically supported examination of changing patterns in the video game industry, this book will pique the interest and educate casual gamers and potential investors.
With years of experience in the video game industry, Joost van Dreunen offers an intriguing look at what precisely makes video games tick. He co-founded and served as CEO of SuperData Research, a market research company for video games that was later purchased by Nielsen Games. He invites the reader to explore the evolution of video games through an investor’s perspective, providing a comprehensive understanding of what makes modern video games unique. He is a professor and startup advisor at NYU Stern School of Business.
“One Up” is written by Van Dreunen from the perspective of someone who views video games as objects of analysis rather than conversation. With a wealth of information covering years of video game innovation and development, the book offers readers a new point of view on the decisions made in the games they play.
#8 Economics of the Entertainment Industry: A Guide to Financial Analysis (1986)
“Entertainment Economics,” now in its tenth edition, provides data-driven insights into the operations of the entertainment industry. It illustrates how far the already important video game business has come by placing it within the broader entertainment sector. Investigate how far he can still go, which is more significant.
Harold Vogel’s insight into the media and entertainment industry draws on his extensive experience as an economic analyst and provides important insight into how video games fit into the entertainment landscape. Vogel examines the video game industry from a broader economic perspective. Readers can better understand future trends in video games by taking this approach.
The author really laid the foundation for what we see today. In video games, the definition of entertainment has changed dramatically. First, by embracing social connections: Games that allow users to connect with friends or make new friends around the world, such as Fortnite and League of Legends, thrive on cooperative or competitive gaming experiences. The latter has led to the emergence of electronic sports and even betting on tournaments of this type in European betting sites and also on gaming platforms around the world. Then, creating immersive experiences, narratives and real-world economic systems in addition to traditional games.
#7 Blood, Sweat and Pixels: The Triumphant and Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Created (2017)
“Blood, Sweat and Pixels” is a very captivating book that explains all the chaos that creating video games can go through before the release of a final product. The book takes a close look at a selection of the most popular video game releases of recent years. Includes AAA games (a term used in the video game business to denote high-profile, high-budget games that are typically created and released by major, well-known publishers, and are rated as “blockbusters” due to their popularity) and one-man teams hoping to expand their side projects into larger endeavors.
With firsthand experiences from the people who work on these development teams, Jason Schrier offers an intense portrait of the ups and downs facing development studios, drawing on his experience as an investigative journalist and avid video game player. “Blood, Sweat and Pixels” is relentless in its depiction of the grueling nature of video game creation.
#6 Tetris: The Games People Play (2016)
Few people are aware of the occasionally surreal story that introduced Tetris to the broader gaming community. A masterfully drawn graphic novel that chronicles the long tradition of Tetris is called “Tetris: The Games People Play.” It describes both the war for its future and its evolution throughout one of the most politically volatile times in history.
Using his artistic and storytelling skills, Brian “Box” Brown immerses the reader in the realm of video games, bringing its culture and history to life.
Brown’s exquisite images complement the true story of Tetris’ creation. Tetris has a unique setting for an incredibly compelling plot, making it read more like an espionage thriller.
#5 Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Popular Culture (2003)
“Masters of Doom” offers a close look at one of the oldest and most popular video game series in history. It provides a deep, interesting and historical look at one of the first video game companies and their productions. Fans of the series will no doubt find this book their favorite.
David Kushner, an award-winning novelist and journalist, shows the successes and setbacks of “id Software” (a video game development studio known for creating the most cutting-edge games available) with a vivid portrait of the people and the environment. there, taking advantage of his years of journalistic experience.
Kushner delves into the various dynamics that accompany running a video game company like “id Software,” highlighting the quirks, challenges, and contributions of each important member of the team.
#4 The Secret Science of Games (2023)
“The Secret Science of Games” offers an exciting exploration of the diverse narratives that emerge from players’ experiences. His writing places a strong emphasis on understanding player behavior. Anyone who wants to understand the theory behind game user research should read this book.
As an accomplished “Microsoft Games” researcher, John Hopson draws on his experience to write a compelling book that explores the lessons that can be drawn from people’s gameplay. He covers a lot of ground in all the practical cases he discusses; Playtesting, toxic player behavior, and user feedback are covered in depth in this book.
#3 Game Analysis: Maximizing the value of player data (2013)
Video games generate enormous volumes of data and the secret to maximizing the information you can extract is careful analysis. Researchers and developers can use techniques provided by game analysis to harness player behavior and create more engaging games. It covers enabling monetization strategies, setting up analytics systems that provide actionable data, and other useful uses for game analytics.
Using their expertise in game development, design, and computational media, authors Magy Seif El-Nasr, Anders Drachen, and Alessandro Canossa provide readers with a comprehensive overview of game analysis. More importantly, they present an interesting story and instructions on why it is so crucial for future game producers.
“Game Analysis” delves deeper into the topic, bolstered by contributions and interviews from leading industry players in the game development space. There is a wealth of knowledge available to readers that can help them create better games.
#2 Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo and the battle that defined a generation (2014)
“Console Wars” offers a very intimate story of the intense competition between “Sega” and “Nintendo” between 1989 and 1995. Tom Kalinske’s story is at the heart of this book. It is the surprising story of how an individual challenged one of the main powers in the video game business in “Sega” by bringing creativity, passion and talent to the company.
Blake Harris creates a gripping story about how “Sega” defeated “Nintendo” and the numerous ripple effects it had on the gaming industry and beyond, leveraging his experience in media and entertainment. Viewing this rivalry as a narrative to tell rather than a story to analyze can captivate readers with its tale of how tenacity is often the deciding factor.
“Console Wars” is written by Harris in the style of a report rather than a report, and includes detailed accounts of the true history of the people who founded “Sega” and “Nintendo.” It is without a doubt the best reason to read this book because of its emphasis on narrative storytelling.
#1 Game Over: Press Start to continue (1993)
“Game Over” offers a look at the “Nintendo” bubble that existed between 1980 and 1990. This book serves as a historical record of the things that shaped Nintendo. It also provides an intriguing look at what people imagined the future would be like.
In his book, David Sheff gives readers a first-hand look at the lives of numerous influential “Nintendo” employees in the 1980s, revealing their ideas and actions that would ultimately influence the current shape of the company. company.
The book is a carefully curated moment of historical documentation and speculation about what led “Nintendo” to become the global gaming powerhouse it is today. The conversations with Sheff serve as a good summary of the actions Nintendo took.
