This work looks at the gendered nature of the US video gaming industry. Although there were attempts to incorporate women into development roles and market towards them as players, the creation of video games and the industry began in a world strongly gendered male. The early 1980s saw a blip of hope that the counter-cultural industry focused on fun would begin to include women, but after the video game industry crash, this free-wheeling freedom of the industry ended along with the beginnings of the inclusion of women. Many of the threads that began in the early years continued or have parallels with the modern video game industry. The industry continues to struggle with gender relations in the workplace and with the strongly gendered male demographic that the industry perceives as its main market.

This work looks at the gendered nature of the US video gaming industry. Although there were attempts to incorporate women into development roles and market towards them as players, the creation of video games and the industry began in a world strongly gendered male. The early 1980s saw a blip of hope that the counter-cultural industry focused on fun would begin to include women, but after the video game industry crash, this free-wheeling freedom of the industry ended along with the beginnings of the inclusion of women. Many of the threads that began in the early years continued or have parallels with the modern video game industry. The industry continues to struggle with gender relations in the workplace and with the strongly gendered male demographic that the industry perceives as its main market.

Ultima and World-Building in the Computer Role-Playing Game is the first scholarly book to focus exclusively on the long-running Ultima series of computer role-playing games (RPG) and to assess its lasting impact on the RPG genre and video game industry. Through archival and popular media sources, examinations of fan communities, and the game itself, this book historicizes the games and their authors. By attending to the salient moments and sites of game creation throughout the series’ storied past, authors Carly A. Kocurek and Matthew Thomas Payne detail the creative choices and structural forces that brought Ultima’s celebrated brand of role-playing to fruition. This book first considers the contributions of series founder and lead designer, Richard Garriott, examining how his fame and notoriety as a pioneering computer game auteur shaped Ultima’s reception and paved the way for the evolution of the series. Next, the authors retrace the steps that Garriott took in fusing analog, tabletop role-playing with his self-taught lessons in computer programming. Close textual analyses of Ultima I outline how its gameplay elements offered a foundational framework for subsequent innovations in design and storytelling. Moving beyond the game itself, the authors assess how marketing materials and physical collectibles amplified its immersive hold and how the series’ legions of fans have preserved the series. Game designers, long-time gamers, and fans will enjoy digging into the games’ production history and mechanics while media studies and game scholars will find Ultima and World-Building in the Computer Role-Playing Game a useful extension of inquiry into authorship, media history, and the role of fantasy in computer game design.

Find out about the fast and furious growth and evolution of video games (including how they are quickly taking over the world!) by looking at some of the most popular, innovative, and influential games ever, from Pong, the very first arcade game ever, to modern hits like Uncharted. Learn about the creators and inspiration (Mario was named after Nintendo’s landlord after he barged into a staff meeting demanding rent), discover historical trivia and Easter eggs (The developers of Halo 2 drank over 24,000 gallons of soda while making the game), and explore the innovations that make each game special (The ghosts in Pac-Man are the first example of AI in a video game). Whether you consider yourself a hard-core gamer or are just curious to see what everyone is talking about, Game On! is the book for you!

"Until now you have not been asking the right questions, Samuel. You shouldn't wonder how I came here. You should wonder why." Reagan DuSaint and Sam Kent have always had a profitable working relationship. Until he shows up in Kent's road. Now, Sam has to dowhat Reagan wants or Reagan will do the only thing he knows to do, killi anything that stands between him and his quest. Follow the young author on a monstrous road trip as Sam Kent races to write Reagan's Redemption. Just don't make the mistake of getting in the way. "There have been scientific theories which propose that human mental function is simply a result of electrical impulse passing from cell to cell, generating reaction which triggers perception and thought. Some psychologists and psychiatrists say, 'If one cannot see it, hear it or touch, taste or smell it, it does not exist.' But others in these professions are certain the processes and products of the human mind go far beyond the nervous system to include the unexpected and the unexplainable. This first-time author presents possibilities reminiscent of Stephen King's early work. You are given a look into the mind of a killer. You are entertained as you seek to understand it. You are kept rapt throughout this delightfully creepy and horrific plot until the end, a real kicker. Now you have it figured out . or do you?"-Dr. Tom Michel, psychologist (ret)

Lonely Planet: The world’s number one travel guide publisher* Lonely Planet’s Georgia & the Carolinas is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Take a thoughtful trip around Atlanta’s Center for Civil & Human Rights, hike in the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park, admire Charleston’s antebellum architecture and feast on low-country fare – all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Georgia & the Carolinas and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet’s Georgia & the Carolinas: Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience - covering history, people, music, religion, cuisine, politics Covers Atlanta, Savannah & Coastal Georgia, Charleston & South Carolina, Charlotte & the Triangle, Coastal North Carolina, North Carolina Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet’s Georgia & the Carolinas is our most comprehensive guide to Georgia & the Carolinas, and is perfect for discovering both popular and offbeat experiences. Looking for just the highlights? Check out Pocket Charleston & Savannah, our handy-sized guide featuring the best sights and experiences for a short visit or weekend away. Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet’s USA for an in-depth look at all the country has to offer. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world’s number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we’ve printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You’ll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. ‘Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.’ – New York Times ‘Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.’ – Fairfax Media (Australia) *Source: Nielsen BookScan: Australia, UK, USA, 5/2016-4/2017 Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.