Christopher Carton – författare

Step into a world of darkness!Towering castles…magical spells…demonic creatures…certain DEATH. The gothic video game has crossed generations, from 8-bit computers to the most powerful 4K PCs and consoles, to deliver dark thrills filled with atmosphere and peril.Gathered in this book are some of the most prominent and enduring games to be developed under a veil of gothic presentation, from their gloomy settings to spine-chilling audio design. Follow the histories of some of gaming’s most popular franchises, such as the decade-spanning Castlevania series and FromSoftware’s “Soulsborne” titles (Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Elden Ring).Packed with over a hundred screenshots that encompass all generations of gaming - with home console, handheld and PC gaming included - and featuring trivia and recommendations across a variety of genres such as strategy games, hack-and-slashers and first-person shooters, _The History of the Gothic Video Game_ is an essential book for fans of all things macabre.The shadows await…

It’s time to go over the top!A staple of the gaming industry for over two decades, Call of Duty has carved a relentless, cinematic path through generations of consoles with its mixture of gritty war-time realism and action-packed sci-fi scenarios.With annual releases giving players memorable campaigns and expanding suites of multiplayer options, the games are arguably the definitive first-person shooters of the 21st century. The impact of the series cannot be understated, and is as recognisable to non-gamers as any other pop-culture phenomenon.In this book, trace the history of the series, from humble beginnings as an answer to the Medal of Honor gaming franchise, to global powerhouse that pulls in as much revenue as a Hollywood blockbuster. Whether you’re looking for a realistic World War simulation or a gripping glimpse into future warfare, Call of Duty has it covered. The series has drawn in new fans with its Warzone and Zombies modes as it continues to expand beyond its traditional trappings.This book also looks at the hard-working developers who make it happen, as well as the business dealings that have led to Call of Duty arriving in more homes every single year, including the infamous acquisition of publisher Activision-Blizzard by tech titans Microsoft.Lock and load, people!

Step into a world of darkness!Towering castles…magical spells…demonic creatures…certain DEATH. The gothic video game has crossed generations, from 8-bit computers to the most powerful 4K PCs and consoles, to deliver dark thrills filled with atmosphere and peril.Gathered in this book are some of the most prominent and enduring games to be developed under a veil of gothic presentation, from their gloomy settings to spine-chilling audio design. Follow the histories of some of gaming’s most popular franchises, such as the decade-spanning Castlevania series and FromSoftware’s “Soulsborne” titles (Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Elden Ring).Packed with over a hundred screenshots that encompass all generations of gaming - with home console, handheld and PC gaming included - and featuring trivia and recommendations across a variety of genres such as strategy games, hack-and-slashers and first-person shooters, The History of the Gothic Video Game is an essential book for fans of all things macabre.The shadows await…

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!Adventure video games have provided players with epic and hilarious storytelling for over fifty years. What started from the humble beginnings of text adventures led to a blast of point-and-click and graphic adventure games throughout the 80s and 90s. Trailblazers like Roberta and Ken Williams, Ron Gilbert, Tim Schaffer and Dave Grossman brought timeless characters, stories and puzzles to life, lighting the imaginations and wracking the brains of gamers around the world.This book showcases the companies, games and creators that have made the adventure video game one of the most passionately-adored genres in the medium. In these pages you'll find histories on influential companies such as Sierra On-Line, LucasArts and Telltale Games, as well as some of the most revered games in the genre.With a bright future emerging as veterans and newcomers forge ahead with new ideas and visual flourishes for adventure games, there's never been a better time to become acquainted (or reacquainted!) with a colourful and exciting part of gaming history.So point your cursor over the start button and click that mouse!

Have you ever wondered if that game you love was made into a movie? Flip this book open and find out!Explore the fascinating journey of your favourite video games as they make their way to the silver screen! This comprehensive guide contains information on over forty big-screen adaptations of popular video games, including the histories of the series that inspired them.Covering four decades of movies, readers can learn about some of the most infamous movies in video game history, with genres such as horror, martial arts, comedy and children's animation ensuring there's plenty of trivia and analysis to keep gamers hooked.With nearly two-hundred full colour stills, posters and screenshots, the book is a go-to guide to discovering facts about some of the biggest box office hits and the most disappointing critical bombs in history.From bizarre science fiction like Super Mario Bros. to the latest big budget releases like Monster Hunter, and dozens in between, A Guide to Video Game Movies should please film buffs and die-hard game fans alike. Whether you're looking for rousing blockbuster action, family-friendly entertainment or a late-night B-movie to laugh at with your friends, you're bound to find a movie to fit your taste.Put down your controller and grab your popcorn!

Do you believe in monsters? We dare you to take a look inside this cursed tome containing some of the most iconic and obscure monsters from the history of cinema. Cower in fear of Count Dracula and his dreaded children of the night. Abandon hope as the mightiest kaiju ever seen on film decimate all around them. Pray that silhouette at the end of your bed is just a shadow and not the dreaded Babadook. Spanning nearly a century of cinematic terrors, The Ultimate Book of Movie Monsters showcases creatures from genres such as horror, fantasy, B-movies and even musicals. Along with legendary beasts like Frankenstein’s monster, Godzilla, the Living Dead and the (mostly) friendly creatures of Monsters Inc., you’ll find film facts, creature strengths and weaknesses and over 150 full-color pictures of the monsters themselves. From the era of stop-motion beasties to the cinematic showdown of the century in Godzilla vs. Kong, film lovers and horror aficionados will find plenty to keep their lust for terror satiated. But beware, for the beasts that dwell within these forsaken pages may just keep you up all night. You have been warned…