From Powells.com
Staff Pick
Art of Atari is an amazing and comprehensive retro gaming book for fans of Atari and console gaming of the late '70s and early '80s. Backstories and original box artwork are featured from classic games such as Centipede, Dig Dug, Missile Command, Yars' Revenge, Super Breakout, and Berzerk. A foreword by Ernest Cline and interviews with some of the earliest video game pioneers make this book a great addition to any gamer's collection. Recommended By Kim T., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
"Get in the action with Atari!" Since its formation in 1972, Atari pioneered video game technology and built today's multi-billion dollar industry, developing arcade games, home video systems, and personal computers to entertain millions of children and adults with fan-favorite games like Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, and Yar's Revenge. To usher in the new era of electronic entertainment, the company hired an array of talented illustrators to emblazon game cartridges, boxes, magazine advertisements, and more with mind-blowing visions of fantasy and sports thrills, science fiction and adventure, that elevated pixelated gaming to the realm of high art. Art of Atari is the first official retrospective of the company's illustrative accomplishments, spanning over four decades and cultivated from museums and private collections worldwide. Whether you're a fan, a collector, or new to the world of Atari, this book offers the most complete collection of Atari artwork ever produced!
Synopsis
Atari is one of the most recognized names in the world. Since its formation in 1972, the company pioneered hundreds of iconic titles including Asteroids, Centipede, and Missile Command. In addition to hundreds of games created for arcades, home video systems, and computers, original artwork was specially commissioned to enhance the Atari experience, further enticing children and adults to embrace and enjoy the new era of electronic entertainment. The Art of Atari is the first official collection of such artwork. Sourced from private collections worldwide, this book spans over 40 years of the company's unique illustrations used in packaging, advertisements, catalogs, and more. Co-written by Robert V. Conte and Tim Lapetino, The Art of Atari includes behind-the-scenes details on how dozens of games featured within were conceived of, illustrated, approved (or rejected), and brought to life Includes a special Foreword by New York Times bestseller Ernest Cline author of Armada and Ready Player One, soon to be a motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg. Whether you're a fan, collector, enthusiast, or new to the world of Atari, this book offers the most complete collection of Atari artwork ever produced
-For me, revisiting the beautiful artwork presented in this book is almost as good as taking a trip in Doc Brown's time machine back to that halcyon era at the dawn of the digital age. But be warned, viewing these images may leave you with an overwhelming desire to revisit the ancient pixelated battlefields they each depict as well.- -- from the Foreword by Ernest Cline, author of READY PLAYER ONE
Robert V. Conte wrote the Afterword