It's starting to sound as though I seriously misjudged the book. I don't have a copy of it myself, but what you say seems evidenced by the book's superior sales. It sounds like they've struck the perfect balance there between the tech and academic audiences. We're generally told over and over that the only audience for books like we write is game developers, though I keep thinking that surely there must be a larger audience out there who would like this stuff as long as it wasn't too technical or academic.
Without actuals, we'll never know, but a big reason why I think "Racing the Beam" seems to have sold and be selling better than "Vintage Games" is the fact that "Racing the Beam" has gotten reviewed and covered in fairly mainstream outlets. We've had no such reviews. There is no way that the basic content in "Racing the Beam" has more appeal than that in "Vintage Games", and it certainly doesn't look better (though it is a bit cheaper due to no need for the production that ours had). Also, I hate to belabor the point, but the title of our book is the worst possible title, because it implies "old games", which is entirely wrong. Even "Greatest Videogames" would have been a far, far superior title.
I'll read and surely enjoy "Racing the Beam" someday, but right now I must admit to resenting its success only as it relates to ours. It's the most frustrating possible situation as I truly feel "Vintage Games", even with the moronic title, should be doing at least as well. (and maybe it is, but it doesn't seem to be)
It's starting to sound as though I seriously misjudged the book. I don't have a copy of it myself, but what you say seems evidenced by the book's superior sales. It sounds like they've struck the perfect balance there between the tech and academic audiences. We're generally told over and over that the only audience for books like we write is game developers, though I keep thinking that surely there must be a larger audience out there who would like this stuff as long as it wasn't too technical or academic.
Without actuals, we'll never know, but a big reason why I think "Racing the Beam" seems to have sold and be selling better than "Vintage Games" is the fact that "Racing the Beam" has gotten reviewed and covered in fairly mainstream outlets. We've had no such reviews. There is no way that the basic content in "Racing the Beam" has more appeal than that in "Vintage Games", and it certainly doesn't look better (though it is a bit cheaper due to no need for the production that ours had). Also, I hate to belabor the point, but the title of our book is the worst possible title, because it implies "old games", which is entirely wrong. Even "Greatest Videogames" would have been a far, far superior title.
I'll read and surely enjoy "Racing the Beam" someday, but right now I must admit to resenting its success only as it relates to ours. It's the most frustrating possible situation as I truly feel "Vintage Games", even with the moronic title, should be doing at least as well. (and maybe it is, but it doesn't seem to be)
Books!
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.