1st Edition

250 Indie Games You Must Play

By Mike Rose Copyright 2011
    280 Pages 250 Color Illustrations
    by A K Peters/CRC Press

    280 Pages
    by A K Peters/CRC Press

    This book is a guide to the expanding world of indie gaming. It helps readers to understand why indie games are so important to so many people in the entertainment industry. The book covers puzzlers, platformers, beat 'em ups, shoot 'em ups, role-playing, and strategy.

    Introduction
    What Are "Indie"Games?
    What Does It Mean to Be an Indie Developer?
    Why Have Indie Games Become so Popular in Recent Years?
    Indie Gaming Resources
    Indie Game Festivals
    What You'll Need to Play
    Acknowledgments
    Part 1: Download Games
    Part 2: Browser-Based Games
    Part 3: Commercial Games
    Index of Games

    Biography

    Mike Rose is a freelance games journalist and one of the editors of IndieGames.com, a popular indie gaming news site. He also writes for Gamasutra, Pocket Gamer UK, and Strategy Informer.

    "... fine guide to the creative world of indie gaming and highlights concepts and ideas that expand the boundaries of video gaming. Such games can be experimental, emotional or strange, and some make you think. This volume gathers over two hundred influential and fun indie video games, describes them and includes screenshots, and provides web links so users can play the games. Any gamer interested in video gaming will find this a key choice."
    —California Bookwatch December 2012

    "Responding to the expansion of the independent gaming field, Rose has compiled a record of its best programs. … A fun briefing for gaming enthusiasts."
    —Library Journal, August 2012

    "...presents 250 recommendations, describing each game, including color screenshots, and providing direct web links for playing. Game enthusiasts will find it a 'must have'."
    —Midwest Book Review

    "... a book I’d recommend to anyone who’s a gamer or a game developer ... also be a one-stop resource to know what indie developers are doing around the world."
    —RENDEROSITY FRONT PAGE NEWS May 2011

    "250 Indie Games You Must Play is an excellent guide to the growing world of indie gaming."
    Examiner

    "The attention to detail is superb… he really knows what he's talking about. ...9/10"
    Go! Gaming Giant

    "250 Indie Games You Must Play is a book you must have in your possession if you enjoy video games. ...4.5/5"
    Blog Jeux Video

    "It picks out some of the very best games released over the last few years and presents them together consistently, concisely and away from the clutter of chaff and non-playable content"
    Game Maker Blog

    "250 Indie Games is the best physical format compilation... I'm happy with the purchase"
    Pixels Mil

    "A retro look tempting with games that are simple in concept but devilish in their addendum"
    Purple Tentacle

    Other mentions

    Author Mike Rose as Guest Speaker on the BoingBoing Podcast