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Starflight: How the PC and DOS Exploded Computer Gaming 1987-1994

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Arrives Saturday, Oct 18
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Description

No one saw it coming. At its launch in 1981, IBM’s original Personal Computer was an expensive business machine—not a gaming behemoth of the kind you saw from Apple, Atari, Commodore, and Tandy. But by 1990, the PC had trampled all its competitors and become the gaming juggernaut it remains to this day. How did this happen? What did the PC do that the ostensibly superior Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, and Apple IIGS, couldn’t?In Starflight: How the PC and DOS Exploded Computer Gaming 1987–1994, author Jamie Lendino tells the full story, starting with the PC’s humble CGA and monochrome origins, moving through early ill-fated (if influential) failures such as the PCjr and Tandy 1000, and diving deep into the industry-shattering innovations in processing, graphics, sound, software, and distribution that gave the PC (and the gamers who loved it) unprecedented power and reach.Along the way, Lendino explores more than 110 of the PC’s most entertaining and important games, revealing how they paved the way for PC supremacy while also offering players new levels of challenge and fun. From groundbreaking graphic adventures (King’s Quest, The Secret of Monkey Island), innovative role-playing games (Ultima, Might and Magic), and sprawling space combat epics (Wing Commander, X-Wing) to titanic strategy titles (Civilization, X-Com), first-person shooters (Stellar 7, Doom), wide-ranging simulations (Stunts, Falcon 3.0), and hard-driving arcade action games (Arkanoid, Raptor), you’ll discover every detail of how the PC’s games catapulted it into the computer gaming stratosphere.Whether you were there at the time—experiencing first-hand the transition of EGA to VGA and single-voice beeps and boops to sweepingly symphonic Roland MT-32 sound, and discovering historic titles upon their release—or you’re only now discovering the wonders of the era, Starflight: How the PC and DOS Exploded Computer Gaming 1987–1994 is a fresh, dynamic, and impossible-to-put-it-down look at the years when PC gaming—and computer gaming itself—changed forever. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Steel Gear Press (March 14, 2022)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 386 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1732355290


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 93


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.24 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.97 x 9 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #1,006,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #243 in Computing Industry History #2,048 in Video & Computer Games #2,478 in Computer & Video Game Strategy Guides


#243 in Computing Industry History:


#2,048 in Video & Computer Games:


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Saturday, Oct 18

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • TAKEN BACK IN TIME
Detailed narrative explaining how the PC rose to the top of computer gaming and has (in my opinion) remained there ever since. Game descriptions with programming milestones abound in this wonderful book that takes me back to my early days when I discovered gaming with an Intellivision console and later graduated to a Commodore 64. My early PC purchases featured several “this is the last computer you’ll ever have to purchase” leads but I’ve been happy to find out how mistaken that prophecy was. I’m glad I went down memory lane with this fantastic read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2023 by Charles J. Baker

  • It was a nice trip down memory lane
There is a lot to like here. Jamie does a good job of condensing several years of computer and video game history. I wish some parts had been expanded on and some of the games included seemed a bit odd.
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2022 by Paul Werkema

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