Game.Machines - The encyclopedia of Game Machines
Consoles, handhelds & home micros 1972-2005
By Forster / Dyll / McCarthy
Published by gameplan books
The succesful and critically acclaimed original German book by former Powerplay and Man!ac editor Winnie Forster, entitled `Spielkonsolen und Heimcomputer´, and published by gameplan, was first released in Germany 2002 and is already available in its third revision. In 2005, I joined the gameplan team to work on the English version of the book. A long-term side project of mine and indeed something of a childhood dream, being part of an outstanding gang of video game experts and nudging myself somewhat into game journalism without actually... being a journalist. The book was crafted and translated into English by myself, with localisation support from David McCarthy (ex-editor of Edge Magazine , currently with Rockstar Games). The mighty Ed (Forster) of course overlooked and coordinated the project. I look forward to working on more projects of the like.
Details:
From Atari to Sega, from Apple to Nintendo DS: The illustrated history are celebrated in full colour chapters with extensive appendixes. From Atari to Xbox, from the C64 to Nintendo DS: Game.Machines is the reference point for members of the PlayStation generation of 450 machines with 600 pictures, history & technical data.
33 years of onscreen fun and interaction: This book presents almost every game computer and console ever created, from Japan , USA and Europe , along with classic software in its authentic, pixellated glory, and background information as well as key technical facts.
More than 400 dream machines and million sellers, bizarre slip-ups and exotic variants; whether they're gamers or collectors.
Originally published in Germany , Game.Machines has been recognized as a `suitable reference´ and `recommended reading´ (by Germany 's premier micro monthly C't), as `very entertaining´ (Gamestar) and `compulsory reading´ (PlayZone) or simply as `ace´ (ComputerBILD). Two years in the making, this greatly enhanced and revised edition invites you to a time journey across the video game era: From the 4-bit beginnings to the broadband future.
The first English edition has 224 pages in full colour and is available from Gameplan as well as selected outlets such as...
For more ore information, visit: 
Interview with the makers of G.M
Neil Carr, Editor of Remix64 and former boss of sadly defunct Music by Design Records has led this interview with author Winne Forster and myself on the book. Read more about the idea, the long road to the finished product and some views on gaming technology, the best games of past, present and future and some opinions on the ideals behind Game.Machines. The interview, hosted by Remix64 can be found here.
Winnie Forster, gameplan's editor-in-chief and author (left)
and yours truly, the translator of the UK edition (right).