★★★★★ 5
Masterful, Hilarious, and Insightful
Format: Hardcover
The writing style reminded me at times of Michael Lewis ("The Big Short", "The New New Thing") in the way Jason Schreier captures the madness of gaming executives trying to succeed despite their bosses.
The way the book describes various antics often had me chuckling or even laughing out loud:
"As Pardo's responsibilities grew and his time became stretched between projects, he became known for what many of his subordinates called seagull management: He would swoop down, poop on ideas, and then fly away."
It's full of insight about what makes a good game, or even a good remake of a game:
"One tenet, adapted from legendary Civilization designer Sid Meier, was that one-third of the units should return from the old game, one-third should be modified versions, and one-third should be brand-new."
This book is masterful. I found it impossible to put down: one of the very best books I've ever read about a games company, or any company for that matter.
If you are in the games industry, you like reading about crazy businesses or you just like games, get it.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2026
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