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Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle that Defined a Generation Audiobook
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(5.00) - 2 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Following the success of The Accidental Billionaires and Moneyball comes Console Wars—a mesmerizing, behind-the-scenes business thriller that chronicles how Sega, a small, scrappy gaming company led by an unlikely visionary and a team of rebels, took on the juggernaut Nintendo and revolutionized the video game industry.
In 1990, Nintendo had a virtual monopoly on the video game industry. Sega, on the other hand, was just a faltering arcade company with big aspirations and even bigger personalities. But that would all change with the arrival of Tom Kalinske, a man who knew nothing about videogames and everything about fighting uphill battles. His unconventional tactics, combined with the blood, sweat and bold ideas of his renegade employees, transformed Sega and eventually led to a ruthless David-and-Goliath showdown with rival Nintendo.
The battle was vicious, relentless, and highly profitable, eventually sparking a global corporate war that would be fought on several fronts: from living rooms and schoolyards to boardrooms and Congress. It was a once-in-a-lifetime, no-holds-barred conflict that pitted brother against brother, kid against adult, Sonic against Mario, and the US against Japan.
Based on over two hundred interviews with former Sega and Nintendo employees, Console Wars is the underdog tale of how Kalinske miraculously turned an industry punchline into a market leader. It’s the story of how a humble family man, with an extraordinary imagination and a gift for turning problems into competitive advantages, inspired a team of underdogs to slay a giant and, as a result, birth a $60 billion dollar industry.
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"extremely interesting economic thriller told in a non-linear order. the narrator has an extremely smarmy-sounding bro-voice, which fits the content VERY well. i love stuff like this. "
— ben (5 out of 5 stars)
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“[An] engaging narrative…This is an essential read for any interested in the evolution of video games and the rise and fall of Sega as a console contender.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
”The book is a highly entertaining behind-the-scenes thriller in which price fixing, psychotically aggressive marketing schemes, and, occasionally, genuine innovation all come into play.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Harris’ meticulous history of the rivalry between Sega and Nintendo in the 1980s and 1990s proves to be listening gold with the skillful narration of Fred Berman…Berman delivers the story in a strong voice that keeps it moving while simultaneously providing rich vocal characterizations of the men and women involved. When delivering dialogue, he captures tone, projection, and tempo so well that listeners will often feel they’re eavesdropping.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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A Publishers Weekly Pick of the Week, May 2014
Console Wars Listener Reviews
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David Borja, 2/16/2020
About Blake J. Harris
Blake J. Harris is a writer, director, and cofounder of Flying Penguin Pictures, which has produced such films as The Flying Scissors and Such Great Heights. Currently, he is codirecting Console Wars, the documentary based on his book, which is being produced by Scott Rudin, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg. He is also serving as an executive producer on the feature film adaptation.
About Fred Berman
Fred Berman has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He is an actor of theater, film, and television whose credits include Broadway’s The Lion King, Law & Order, and Directing Eddie, among others. He was featured in Entertainment Weekly for his work on the Walking Dead audiobook series.