Blood, Sweat, and Pixels

Necessary to read by the end, my only complaint about Blood, Sweat, and Pixels is that there wasnt more to read. Forbes.com Making video games is one of most transformative, exciting things Ive done in my two decades as a freelance writer. Making video games is also an excruciating journey into Hellmouth itself. Jason Schreiers wonderful book captures both the excitement and the hell. Here, at long last, is a gripping, intelligent glimpse behind a thick (and needlessly secretive) creative curtain. Tom Bissell, author of Extra Lives and Apostle, and writer on the Gears of War, Uncharted, and Battlefield franchises A meticulously researched, well-written, and painful at times account of many developers and studios highs and lows. May need to make it required reading for the developers at my studio. Cliff Bleszinski, creator of Gears of War and founder of Boss Key Productions The stories in this book make for a fascinating and remarkably complete pantheon of just about every common despair and every joy related to game development. Rami Ismail, cofounder of Vlambeer and developer of Nuclear Throne Jason Schreier brilliantly exposes the truth about how video games are made. Brutal, honest, yet ultimately uplifting; Ive been gaming for thirty years, yet I was surprised by every page. Turns out what I didnt know about my favorite hobby could fill a book. This book! Cant recommend it enough to any serious fan of this generations greatest new art form. Adam Conover, executive producer and host of truTVs Adam Ruins Everything ...his enthusiasm is contagious; even if youve never played one of these games, youll be riveted by the account of how they came to be. Booklist Schreier covers the notoriously secretive gaming industry and he knows it well He also clearly respects [the] developers and their achievements, and treats their rueful tales of selfless struggle with an admiring deferencea useful survey of the landscape of game production at this cultural moment. GQ Schreier sets each scene with admirable prowess, giving the reader just enough information to feel the weight of each story. For anyone who has ever wondered how some of the most successful games are made, this book is a real eye-opener At its heart, Blood, Sweat, and Pixels is an ode to the people who put every fiber of their being into making memorable experiences for gamers all over the world. Fiction Southeast Lively writing For fans of video games, Blood, Sweat, and Pixels is a must read, but anyone interested in stories about the hard process of making art is also sure to enjoy it. Shelf Awareness One of the most insightful pieces of text Ive ever read Its a well-written tale of real sacrifice, struggles, and more, its almost inspiring despite how sad it can be at times. GameZone Blood, Sweat, and Pixels is the instruction manual to the game industry I never realized I needed. GameCritics.com Schreier creates a compellingly warts-and-all portrait of a profession that so many who grew up playing games idolized. Wired

Jason Schreier is the news editor at Kotaku, a leading website covering the industry and culture of video games. He has also covered the video game world for Wired, and has contributed to a wide range of outlets including The New York Times, Edge, Paste, Kill Screen, and The Onion News Network. Blood, Sweat, and Pixels is his first book.