Three New Books Map Videogame Architecture, Arcade History and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum
So, there are three new and upcoming books that explore different aspects of gaming and tech. First up is "Videogame Architecture: Building Virtual Spaces" by Luke Caspar Pearson and Sandra Youkhana, published by Thames & Hudson for $65. This book, which follows the 2024 Videogame Atlas, looks at iconic games like Bioshock and Half-Life 2, focusing on their environments. Then we have "The Arcade 1971–1999" by Paul Drury, released by Bitmap Books at £34.99 / $48.00 / €41.95, which covers 120 games from arcades to home consoles, complete with visuals and interviews. Lastly, there’s "The Rubber-Keyed Wonder: The Sinclair ZX Spectrum Story Official Companion Book," from Golden Slumber Ltd., currently seeking funding on Kickstarter for a 200-page look back at the ZX Spectrum as it turns 45 next year.
Key facts
- Thames & Hudson published Videogame Atlas in 2024
- Videogame Architecture: Building Virtual Spaces is by Luke Caspar Pearson and Sandra Youkhana and costs $65
- The book covers games including Bioshock, Half-Life 2 and Disco Elysium
- The Arcade 1971–1999 is written by Paul Drury and published by Bitmap Books
- The Arcade 1971–1999 is priced at £34.99 / $48.00 / €41.95 and covers 120 titles in over 400 pages
- The Rubber-Keyed Wonder is a planned 200+ page history of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum
- The Rubber-Keyed Wonder is seeking Kickstarter support and is planned for next year, in time for the Spectrum's 45th anniversary
- The ZX Spectrum was sold worldwide, illegally cloned behind the Iron Curtain, and is being rebooted as the ZX Spectrum Next
Entities
Artists
- Luke Caspar Pearson
- Sandra Youkhana
- Paul Drury
- Sir Clive Sinclair
- Jonathan Bell
Institutions
- Thames & Hudson
- Bitmap Books
- Golden Slumber Ltd.
- Kickstarter
- Wallpaper*
- things magazine
Locations
- Iron Curtain