Price: $34.95
(as of Feb 06, 2025 00:32:27 UTC – Details)
Before social media, there was Classic Game Room.
It was the best of times, It was the worst of times, and I played a lot of Vectrex. The longest-running Internet video game review show in the world started as an experiment in the back room of an engineering company. Over a quarter century, after producing thousands of game reviews, Classic Game Room evolved into a publishing company of history books and comics about space ninjas while still producing gaming videos filled with bad jokes and endless action movie one-liners.
This in-depth and humorous book is a fascinating case study of a brand that predates social media, endured the horrors of social media, and is withstanding the collapse of social media by remaining fiercely independent. After 25 years in business, Classic Game Room went full circle and ended up right where it started – on its own website surrounded by comic books and beer glasses.
Engage disco! History of Classic Game Room is for fans who want to learn about the dawn of Internet video broadcasting in 1999 and the trials and tribulations of dealing with social media monopolies. It is also a lesson in pivoting one’s business away from disaster by doing things outside the box and paving a path forward that defies the norm. Learn how Classic Game Room turned into a publishing company, take a peek behind the curtain at Internet video production, and laugh out loud about stories from the most misunderstood show on the Internet.
“Modern internet culture says to follow trends, copy content creators, and obsess over algorithms. I would advise one to do the exact opposite. In an industry being devoured by artificial intelligence, billionaire extremists, and short-form disposable content, the path forward is counterintuitive.”
Includes unseen photographs from the many Classic Game Room eras, original new drawings from writer and illustrator Mark Bussler, and a look at future projects from the future in space when future robots rule space from the future.
Chapter List:
PROLOGUECHAPTER 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO CLASSIC GAME ROOMChapter 2: A Computer Lab in 1995Chapter 3: To Film School and BeyondChapter 4: Fromusalive.comChapter 5: The Game Room, SuckaChapter 6: Agent 0040ozChapter 7: From Web TV to DVDChapter 8: Advanced FilmmakingChapter 9: The Rise and Fall of DVDChapter 10: YouTubeChapter 11: It’s Raining Success and Free CoffeeChapter 12: Truxton, EDF, Vectrex, and Bird Week!Chapter 13: Storm Clouds on the HorizonChapter 14: Warning, Warning, Huge Enemy Approaching!Chapter 15: All Hail Lord KarnageChapter 16: A New HopeChapter 17: The Kobayashi MaruChapter 18: Do Sheep Dream of Electric Androids?Chapter 19: The Podcasts and Radio DramasChapter 20: One Last TryChapter 21: Engage Disco!Chapter 22: Rise of the MachinesChapter 23: Back to Where it BeganChapter 24: The Future of Artistic Expression on the InternetChapter 25: One Crazy JourneyEpilogueComplete List of Works by Mark BusslerClassic Game Room Gallery
From the Publisher
Fighting for beer and Vectrex over land and air… Classic Game Room is there!
The experimental Internet video game review show that started in 1999 ran on and off for 25 years and has quite the story to tell. Learn about the dawn of the Internet video business, life before social media, and the pitfalls of getting trapped on one platform as “influencers” take over the industry. Series producer, Mark Bussler, tells a fascinating story about a brand that started in the 20th century as a game review show and pivoted into graphic novels, history books, glassware, clothing, and vinyl soundtracks.
Subjects Included
Where Internet TV started in 1999The origin of The Game RoomClassic Game Room on DVDPioneering Internet game reviewsThe early days of YouTubeVideo game review machineChallenges on social mediaThe pivot into printLearning from the Kobayashi Maru
Behind the Scenes Photos
Mark shares never-before-seen pictures of Classic Game Room’s years behind the scenes. Laugh at Stella the Viral Dog, old fashioned computers and recording hardware, and other intergalactic hijinks.
From Internet TV to DVD
Learn the complete story of CGR’s evolution from Internet video into DVD, back into Internet video, out of Internet video, into Blu-Ray, onto experimental formats, into publishing, and landing on print and vinyl.
CGR Made More Than 4000 Reviews!
Classic Game Room was one of the most prolific video game reviews shows online that covered everything from old-school 1980s game consoles, arcades, pinball machines, brand-new games, controllers, and more. It even survived the R-Zone!!
The Future of Art Online
After discussing the evolution (or de-evolution) of art on the Internet, Mark looks at the challenges that artists will face when competing against artificial intelligence, short-form content, and apathetic social media monopolies.
Publisher : CGR Publishing (September 13, 2024)
Language : English
Hardcover : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 1592183271
ISBN-13 : 978-1592183272
Item Weight : 1.47 pounds
Dimensions : 7 x 0.88 x 10 inches