Raiford Guins Book order

Drawing from deep archival research and extensive interviews, Atari Design is a rich, historical study of how Atari's industrial and graphic designers contributed to the development of the video game machine. Innovative game design played a key role in the growth of Atari – from Pong to Asteroids and beyond – but fun, challenging and exciting game play was not unique to the famous Silicon Valley company. What set it apart from its competitors was innovation in the coin-op machine's cabinet. Atari did not just make games, it designed products for environments. With “tasteful packaging”, Atari exceeded traditional locations like bars, amusement parks and arcades, developing the look and feel of their game cabinets for new locations such as fast food restaurants, department stores, country clubs, university unions, and airports, making game-play a ubiquitous social and cultural experience. By actively shaping the interaction between user and machine, overcoming styling limitations and generating a distinct corporate identity, Atari designed products that impacted the everyday visual and material culture of the late 20th century. Design was never an afterthought at Atari.

A cultural study of video game afterlife, whether as emulation or artifact, in an archival box or at the bottom of a landfill.

The exploration of censorship in the digital age examines the balance between freedom of expression and the regulation of content online. It delves into how technology has transformed traditional censorship methods, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals and institutions in navigating the complexities of digital communication. The book discusses the implications of social media, government policies, and the role of tech companies in shaping what is accessible, raising critical questions about the future of information sharing and the rights of users.