Explore/Create

Explore/Create is Richard Garriott's memoir chronicling his path from video game pioneer to space explorer. The book, co-written with David Fisher, received endorsements from tech and science luminaries including Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, and Steve Wozniak. The narrative follows Garriott's career creating influential computer games like the Ultima series while pursuing real-world adventures. His journey culminates in his trip to the International Space Station, making him one of the first private citizens to travel to space. The book details Garriott's parallel passions for technology and exploration, including his deep-sea expeditions, visits to the North Pole, and creation of an elaborate haunted house. It emerged after Garriott shared one of his adventure stories at The Moth storytelling event, leading to a book deal. This memoir illustrates the connections between creative innovation and physical exploration, suggesting that pushing boundaries in one realm can fuel breakthroughs in another. The intersection of technology, adventure, and imagination forms the core theme of Garriott's life story.

Readers describe Explore/Create as an autobiography that splits focus between Richard Garriott's game development career and his space travel experiences. Readers appreciated: - Personal stories about the early days of game development - Details about space tourism and training - His father's NASA career and influence - Behind-the-scenes look at Origin Systems Common criticisms: - Jumps between topics without clear flow - Self-congratulatory tone - Limited coverage of Ultima series development - Too much focus on personal wealth and achievements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (144 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (64 ratings) Sample reader comment from Goodreads: "Half fascinating history of early gaming, half vanity project about being rich enough to go to space." Amazon reviewer notes: "Great stories about the birth of computer gaming, but loses steam when shifting to space adventures."

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🎮 Richard Garriott created the Ultima game series while still in high school, selling games in ziplock bags before founding Origin Systems, which later sold to Electronic Arts for $30 million. 🚀 In 2008, Garriott became the first second-generation American astronaut, following his father Owen Garriott's footsteps, when he flew to the International Space Station as a private citizen. 🌊 He has completed expeditions to both the North and South Poles, and in 2022, he reached the deepest point on Earth, the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. 🏰 Garriott owns and lives in Britannia Manor, a unique castle-like home in Austin, Texas, complete with secret passages, hidden rooms, and an observatory. 🧬 His space flight carried the "Immortality Drive," a time capsule containing digitized human DNA sequences and records of humanity's greatest achievements, which remains aboard the ISS.