I didn’t pimp this anywhere else prior to its release, or even when it came out, so I’m forgiven for bringing it up now:
Check out Green Ronin’s Hobby Games: The 100 Best. Its 100 essays (with bonus foreward, afterward, and introduction!) each make an argument for a particular game being among the (wait for it…wait for it…) 100 best games designed in recent memory.
James Lowder was the ever-so-hardworking editor who made it all possible. Yours truly wrote on Car Wars, a game so great that its current status in the marketplace is basically unforgivable.
Check out HG100 — that’s what all the kids are calling it — at Green Ronin’s website, and/or at Amazon
It’s a great book, although I’m only half through it so far. Like most long lists, it works best in small doses so you can absorb each essay (disclosure: like min on Space Hulk) one at a time.
I thought this was a great book even though I was in it. Mostly I thought it was the closest thing I’ve ever seen to an encyclopedia of fundamental game mechanics. I actually bought a copy for every game designer at my online game company because I thought it was required reading.
Thanks for the kind words on HG100 and for your most excellent participation in the project. Jim Lowder should get all the credit for bringing the proposal to us and working so diligently to put it all together. We were honored to be included.
I’m kind of sad that I took such a review-heavy approach to Vinci in my write-up in the book. Reading the other entries, I’m all jealous at how entertaining they are with their personal anecdotes and things. Curse you, more entertaining writers!
I felt the same way when I looked at mine in comparison to others, Kevin. Isn’t that the natural way of writers?
I know how you guys feel. After I read the book I felt like mine wasn’t up to the quality of the other pieces in the book.
John, your essay on Naval War has me searching for a copy. I haven’t played since about 1997 and I’ve got an urge . . .
I loved it, and I didn’t even write anything for it.
I’m slightly biased as I wrote an essay in this book, but overall, it’s a great book filled with great suggestions on games you should be playing instead of another hour on World of Warcraft.
In all, it’s the best book to make me want to pick up and play more games since Lawrence Schick’s HEROIC WORLDS.
Goddamn did I love this book! It validated all the reasons I love these games, it took me on a nostalgic ride back to some of the happiest days of my life, spent playing Car Wars, Magic (before I hated CCGs) 40K, and others.
If you’re a gamer with a non-gamer in your life, this book is a great way to introduce them to your passion, and maybe help them understand why you love these games as much as you do.
I totally agree with the suggestion to read it slowly. I left mine on the coffee table, and slowly read it over the course of several weeks, a few entries at a time, so I wouldn’t get overwhelmed with information or memories.