2kB of Fun: a new book about handheld games from '76-'85

[Blanka]

Not sure if it is really appropriate under consoles... Thought it was closest.
I've been working two years on making the definitive book about early handheld games (1976-1985).
If you are interested in those games as well, follow my project and like me on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/2kboffun

[ark_ader]

Can you send me a review copy?

[Howard_Casto]

It looks like it might be fun, but honestly I don't think you are going to get a lot of support unless you post a few sample pages so people can get an idea of what's inside. 

As of now all I can see is a rather bland gray cover. 


It's a rather interesting era to do, but I don't know if it's interesting good or interesting bad.  You've got the Odyssey, Atari, Colecovision and 20,000 pong clones.  I wish you luck regardless, the earlier stuff really needs to be documented before it is forgotten.   

[Blanka]

As of now all I can see is a rather bland gray cover. 

It's white, but the to get the reflection of the silver visible, I needed to underexpose a bit
Here's a small teaser:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=343122835814789
Remember that this shot is from an earlier stage landscape sample.

Small selection of the images:

[Well Fed Games]

Very neat. Definitely a bit of videogame history I would like to know more about. Will be following!

[Blanka]

Can you send me a review copy?

Send me a PM on Facebook for a press kit.

[Blanka]

The campaign is live:
Pre-order your copy today on:
http://igg.me/at/2kboffun

[ark_ader]

Your goal seems a bit ambitious 15K Euro for a hand held game book?

It reminds me of 1001 Games to play before you die.

Can you not complete it for less?  Do you have to pay royalties to the game companies that still own the IP? 

[Blanka]

Sorry, it costs 30K to make a book this quality, and that is 0 cents for my 2000 hours of work until it is in the shop, and half of the risk is for the print company.
I want it to be perfect. No crap. Besides, the people loving the games pay 100 bucks with ease for a game, so 50€ for a great book about it is a steal.
The 1001 games book is probably done 50000 copies, and it is all screen-shots, so not very hard to make.
I do 4 hours average on one picture. Paying royalties for archive material is cheaper, but that does not show the astonishing beauty of the games.

[Howard_Casto]

Nobody is knocking the quality of the book but I think what he means is couldn't you find a print shop that didn't want such a huge minimum order?

Also yes people throw down 100 bucks easily for a vintage game, but not very many people.  And you've got to assume that worst case scenario the majority of that already small group won't want your book.  Again this has absolutely nothing to do with your book, it's just a business thing. Also you aren't selling a game to gamers, you are selling a book with pictures of game systems to gamers...so your analogy doesn't hold water.  Are the people that pay 100 bucks for a game the same kind of people that pay 100 bucks for a coffee table book?  I'm honestly not sure.  I know I wouldn't pay 100 bucks for ANY book.  At least not a new one anyway.  I wish you the best of luck, I want you to succeed, but a dose of reality might do you some good. 

Here's hoping me and ark are wrong on this one. 

[ark_ader]

Then you have to worry about some  scanning it and making it available on PDF.

I'm sure Saint can give you some ideas on niche marketing strategies.

My strategy would release 25 limited edition signed copies and get some exclusive press, and wait for some publishers to come to you.

If it bombs you have saved yourself some cash, take a  Hemingway holiday and write a best seller...   

[Blanka]

My strategy would release 25 limited edition signed copies and get some exclusive press, and wait for some publishers to come to you.

Nice idea, but still requiring about 15000 bucks. With this strategy I can make the print and have 2000 copies too.
If the book is 100% ready, it is not hard to find a publisher.

[Bender]

I Love it! I'll Back it

too funny, I still have a functioning Slimline Speedway from the cover. 5 games in one. It was the first handled I ever owned! in 1980 I was the envy of every kid on the block.
I also had the orange dual screen Donky Kong, but don't have that anymore
that one looked just like the DS and the slimline looks a lot like an iPhone, but about 30 years early

Beautiful design and Photography!

[Blanka]

Thank you. That is pretty much the idea behind the cover. Link to something people use today. When they flip the book to look on the back they are teleported back to 1980.
Do you have the leather case with the slimline?

[Bender]

You mean the pleather case? yep, and the dogeared instruction pamphlet too