Gamers: Ghosts in the Machine by Mel Croucher - Book Review

Some of you may recognise Mel Croucher through his achievements in computer games: Deus Ex Machina possibly being the most well known, and for others, it will have been through the Zygote column that graced the last page of the long gone but still fondly remembered Computer Shopper (UK). Perhaps you may not know of him at all, in which case, allow me to correct that situation by stating clearly that he is also the author of one of the most informative tomes on computing and video games I have read in a long while. Here's why...

Gamers: Ghosts in the Machine takes the reader on a journey to meet twenty key individuals whose contributions have, in ways large and small, defined the world of computer gaming. Told chronologically, this diverse (considering the topic and period covered, rather more so than you'd think) array of characters get to tell their own story from beyond the grave in a conceit that could, in lesser hands, have failed badly. Yet this is Mel Croucher we're talking about here and he knows what he's doing.

We begin with Joseph Marie Jacquard whose creation of a programmable loom was foundational to the compilation of binary code, and end with Karel Twisten Asenbrener, whose tragic tale provides the modern day ghost in the machine. Betwixt the two, you'll hear from some familiar names (Ada Lovelace - the biography by Beverley Adams (reviewed here) is highly recommended, Grace Hopper, Ralph Baer, and Jerry Lawson), as well as some who, if you'd heard mention of them, would have you searching away in the non-AI powered browser of your choice. Fear not, gentle reader, you can learn plenty about them in Mr Croucher's book. 

I consider myself reasonably widely read on the subject of computing history, but never once had I heard of Paul Otlet, or Mabel Addis, so obviously not that widely read and those gaps in my knowledge have been filled. I was more familiar with Hedy (NOT Hedley) Lamarr's contribution to computing, and for a few others, their names had cropped up in passing, but never with their full contribution being described, so this book has proven a great reference in that respect too. 

There's imagery, which lacks colour but is reproduced clearly, and outside of the author's content, there's a Gamer's Hall of Fame and Roll of Honour for backers of specific tiers from the Kickstarter, as well as a list of Mel's other publications. Finally, two other releases from the publisher are advertised, both of which are on my to buy list (when the to read pile drops a little lower). Of note was the Kickstarter itself, with excellent communication from the author, a refreshing change from certain other retro computing themed campaigns.

Gamers: Ghosts in the Machine is a highly readable and informative book, and one that succinctly delivers all you need to know about twenty people who, unbeknownst to themselves, have shaped how we play games today. To paraphrase a certain 1990's sci-fi movie, if you'd like to know more, buy this book!

And to do so, this very handy page on the publisher's website will show you all of the retailers you can pre-order a copy from. 

Hurt Me Plenty by Stuart Maine - Book Review

After a stellar first volume (I'm Too Young To Die, reviewed all the way back in February 2023), Stuart Maine is back with a follow up tackling the years 2003 to 2010 inclusive, the period that truly cemented the first person shooter as a key genre in gaming. 

After a brief introduction, proceedings begin with a foreword from Harvey Smith (lead designer of Deus Ex), before the reader is given a quick reminder of what a first person shooter is (and is not), a timeline of notable titles, the anatomy of an FPS, and a glossary of important terms. Oh, and the first is several interviews with notable figures within the industry. These are always informative and highly interesting, so even if you're here only for the games, don't skip these, I beseech thee. 

It is at page 50 that we get to the first year covered by the volume, and if 2003 feels like a long time ago, well, yes, it was. Hell, so was 2010, but within that period, some three hundred shooters hit the market. Some were instant classics, others more of an acquired taste, and a few where you just had to wonder what the hell were they putting in the drinking water. Yet despite this tome's hefty dimensions, there is only room for just over 200 entries. This isn't as bad as you'd think, as whilst PS2 "classic" Secret Service gets a write up, America's 10 Most Wanted is excluded. The former is a by the numbers effort that really suffers in its PlayStation 2 guise (see issue 70 of Fusion Magazine for a Fusion Fail), but is possibly redeemed by its Xbox 360 release - if you really feel the need to play it. The latter, well, there was definitely something in the water when they developed that "game", and if you fancy a laugh, I believe the a future issue of Fusion magazine will see you right...

Needless to say, the usual suspects are present and correct, and even though the world and its cousin has lost count as to how many times someone has written about Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the author's style, approach and enthusiasm shine through, making every entry a true joy to read. 

As you'd expect, there are plenty of screenshots, and although I was a tad waspish about the physical format of the first book, I apologise profusely now - it's the perfect way to present the history of shooters - allowing those widescreen visuals to truly shine - and once again proving that Bitmap Books really know their stuff when it comes to showing off the eye candy.

Hurt Me Plenty is a fantastic follow up from Mr Maine, and will be another go to reference on the subject for years to come, for games both good and bad. Especially the bad ones, as in a very weird way, they are often more "interesting" to play than stone cold classics - even/especially/because of Rogue Warrior. Once again, my "to play... eventually" list has ballooned to ludicrous levels, but hey, at least the list exists. One day... one day. I also said in the my review of the first book that I hoped there would be a follow up from 2003 onwards, and well, here we are. Would it be too much to hope for a 2011 and onwards volume? Pretty please???

You can pick up a copy of Hurt Me Plenty from the Bitmap Books website here, and order from the usual online and physical bookshops if that's your thing.