Game On!

Learn about the creators and inspiration (Mario was named after Nintendo’s landlord after he barged into a staff meeting demanding rent), discover historical trivia and Easter eggs (The developers of Halo 2 drank over 24,000 gallons of soda while making the game), and explore the innovations that make each game special (The ghosts in Pac-Man are the first example of AI in a video game). Finally, here's a young adult nonfiction book about video games. Whether you consider yourself a hard-core gamer or are just curious to see what everyone is talking about, Game On! is the book for you! Praise for Game On!: "This zippy primer on video game development takes readers from the arcades of the 1970s to Minecraft and the future of gaming. . . . The well-told origin tales are a fantastic mash-up of pop and gaming culture. . . " —School Library Journal "This lengthy love letter comes from a self-professed video game addict. Thirty-nine breezy, irreverent chapters celebrate individual games . . . Unabashedly enthusiastic, author Hansen also provides tips on how to evaluate games for personal enjoyment. . . . true gamers will be delighted." —Booklist "This zippy, funny, enthusiastic volume offers snapshot looks at the key moments in video game history." —The Bulletin