"This series describes the meteoric rise of the video game industry. It features attractive packaging to appeal to devoted young game players. Each volume explains a different aspect of the field, including interesting facts about the most popular (and unpopular) video games and the people who created them. The Awesome Inner Workings of Video Games explains what is inside that plastic console, what computer code looks like, and how a game console's 'brain' makes decisions. The Epic Evolution of Video Games describes the earliest games with their bouncing dots on a plain screen through modern games with fast action, realistic environments, and epic story lines. Readers learn how video games evolved over the years and what kind of games they can look forward to playing in the future. Other books in the series describe the people who launched the gaming industry, what inspired some favorite video games, and what it takes to work in the fast-paced video game business.

This high-interest series will capture the attention of the video game generation. The twelve short chapters each feature two-page spreads of bold color photos, brief text boxes, and eye-catching graphics that make for easy browsing and reading. Interesting quick facts and sidebars provide nuggets of information that will whet readers' appetites and a section at the end of each book offers sources for further information. This is an entertaining and informative set with design and content best suited for young teens." —VOYA

11/01/2013
Gr 4–7—Young gamers who wonder what's inside their Xboxes or how those dramatic graphics are created will come away from these satisfying volumes with plenty of facts. This set introduces information about software, game engines, famous gaming developers, and careers. The history of video games and gaming's physical and educational benefits are also covered. The photos are largely energy-boosting filler, but the texts offer specific, up-to-date references and facts. Readers who want to know even more will find the annotated resource lists helpful.