Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter Audiobook

" The best treatment of video games I've ever read. Most of the book focuses on how video games can stand on their own as an art form unlike any other. "

" This book is about the delivery of story in interactive media. I appreciated getting recaps and commentaries on key games that I will never have time to play (Bioshock) or any inclination for (FPSen are not for me). "

" Came for my kids, and to understand their obsession, left with an appreciation of the myriad ways storytelling can adapt and thrive (but no cure for the addictive quality of gaming). "

" Good explorations of what makes video games tick and why they consistently disappoint as narrative art, but falls short of fulfilling the promise of the book's subtitle: why video games matter. The real difficulty is that the book is too tied up with the subjective perspective of its author, meaning that it too rarely transcends the first-person account of what it was for Bissell to play the games. As such, it answers why video games matter to Bissell, but not within any larger context--a major problem for one of the few books exploring an industry whose profits dwarf Hollywood. "

" The author's style is a little overdone and pompous in spots (as though he's overcompensating for writing about such a "gauche topic"), but his approach is good. "

" Why video games matter is an interesting take on the video game culture and how it's evolved from Pong to Halo to GTAIV. The candid interviews with the game designers and storytellers make it a compelling read for gamers and non-gamers alike. Highly recommend it! "

" Excellent, provocative writing about a medium that serious critics virtually ignore. Bissell's book is essential reading for all serious gamers, and it may prove equally essential reading for gamers' skeptical girlfriends and/or parents. "

" The title is misleading. This was more of a trip down memory lane of all the video games he has played, rather than why they matter. Still, it was entertaining to get his views on the game, and he certainly gave me information on some games I hadn't played that I then wanted to try. "

" My gaming experience begins with Apple IIe text-based games and Donkey Kong and ends with Super Mario Bros. for Wii, so I know nothing about today's video games. After reading this book, I feel like I've begun to understand what it must feel like to be a gamer. Really brings it to life. Recommended. "

" I am not a gamer, but thought that understanding why video games matter was a worthy subject. The only problem I have with this book is that in the end, I still don't know why video games matter. "

" One man's story of video games that influenced his life. Interesting, but not compelling. "

" Fun read if you play video games. Does a decent job of describing which games handle story, dialog, game design well and what the whole industry can do better as a whole. Does absolutely NOTHING to address its sub-title, "Why Video Games Matter." "

" some of the best videogame writing I have ever seen, loses focus and becomes a bit indulgent towards the end. "

" Great if you love video games. Blah if you have no interest. "

" I liked this book. Bissell is a good writer. He knows the subject and describes it well and in great detail - but as a non-video gamer I think I could have learned as much and enjoyed the book more if he'd trimmed some of that detail. "

" Bissell tells a nice story that intermixes a personal narrative with sharp reporting and analysis on electronic game-playing. I would have given it four stars if not for the end when Bissell got a little self-indulgent and lost focus. "

" Interesting book about how video games work and what they give us. It's written at a pretty deep level, which is both rewarding and also leaves you wanting more. "

" Interesting in segments, but the best part (the author's observations on Mass Effect) get eclipsed by a concluding chapter that consists of a travelogue of Liberty City side by side with a confessional of the author's drug habits. "

" OK book. Interesting about the past, present, and future of video games as story. Liked investigations in reasons for addictive quality of video games. Although probably inseparable from his game playing, TMI about his personal drug addictions. "

" I'm still not sure why video games matter... but this book did make me want to play more of them. "

" So far it's pretty good. I like the vivid descriptions of the games he's played, and hope that perhaps non-gamers might read and understand gamers a bit more. "

" This is such a funny and educated look at several significant video games that have come out over the last few years. "

" This is a thoughtful, personal account that tries to make sense of why intelligent people are drawn to video games. "

" I liked the chapter about Mass Effect, but the rest of the book was more about how the author felt about video games more than their effect on life in general. They were a tad boring. I think the author was taking video games way too seriously. Just play them and enjoy them. "

" OK book. Interesting about the past, present, and future of video games as story. Liked investigations in reasons for addictive quality of video games. Although probably inseparable from his game playing, TMI about his personal drug addictions. "

" Very entertaining read! Made me want to play a few games I never tried. However, I still don't really know why video games matter... "

" The author's style is a little overdone and pompous in spots (as though he's overcompensating for writing about such a "gauche topic"), but his approach is good. "

" This book is about the author's experiences with video games, and also covers the history of development. There's not as much social commentary as I was hoping. "

" So far it's pretty good. I like the vivid descriptions of the games he's played, and hope that perhaps non-gamers might read and understand gamers a bit more. "