Bitmap Books is set to release one of their most iconic video game volumes to date, The Games of a Lifetime, on February 10th. Priced at £29.99 (or regional equivalent), this captivating book takes readers on a spectacular journey through the history of video games, as seen through the eyes of industry legend Julian “Jaz” Rignall.
The Games of a Lifetime is a 420-page video game time machine, transporting readers from the dawn of the industry to the present day. Featuring 118 groundbreaking games, including Space Invaders, Marble Madness, Elite, Bubble Bobble, Tetris, Street Fighter II, World of Warcraft, and Horizon Forbidden West, this vibrant volume is a must-have for gaming enthusiasts and book collectors alike.
Julian “Jaz” Rignall, a renowned games industry veteran and lifelong gamer, has penned this stunning new volume. With Bitmap’s signature quality finish at the turn of every page, readers will be immersed in the most iconic moments in gaming history. The book delves into the monumental titles that have shaped the industry and highlights Jaz’s illustrious career in video game magazines, leaving an indelible mark on gamers worldwide.
“The Games of a Lifetime is not an autobiography, and neither is it an encyclopedia of the best games. It’s basically a nigh-on five-decade-long journey through what were to me the most important gaming events and experiences during that period, starting from Pong through the 8- and 16-bit computer revolutions and the European console renaissance, across the millennium, and all the way to the modern age,” says Julian “Jaz” Rignall.
The book also includes a bounty of archival photos, amazing box art, vintage arcade flyers, and beautiful hardware and magazine shots. Specially commissioned illustrations by prolific game illustrator Wil Overton (Rare, Super Play magazine) reimagine classic Mean Machines artworks from Jaz’s era in his own instantly recognizable style.
Julian “Jaz” Rignall is a hardcore gamer who began his journey by racking up ludicrously large scores in local arcades and winning the 1983 UK National Arcade Championships. He became a journalist and influencer, launching iconic game magazines like ZZAP!64, CVG, and Mean Machines. Jaz played a key role in bringing Japanese games to Western gamers and later worked as a game developer for Virgin Interactive in the US. He then became the editorial director of IGN, growing the site into a world leader. Today, Jaz works as a game analyst, helping to refine and shape games for vast global audiences.
Bitmap Books, founded in 2014 by Sam Dyer, is a design-led publisher dedicated to producing the highest quality, most visually splendid gaming books. Renowned for their attention to detail and collaboration with influential outfits like SEGA, SNK, and Atari, as well as industry veterans, Bitmap Books celebrates the software, hardware, developers, and studios that shaped the games industry. They are committed to preserving and sharing the rich history of video games through exceptional design and storytelling.
For more information on The Games of a Lifetime, head over to the Bitmap Books website ahead of its February 10th release.
