Press Reset

Press Reset investigates the instability and volatility of the video game industry through the stories of developers, artists, and other professionals who have experienced studio closures and layoffs. Through in-depth interviews and research, Jason Schreier traces the human impact of gaming's boom-and-bust cycles across multiple major studios and projects. The book examines specific cases of studio shutdowns and their ripple effects, including the collapse of 38 Studios, the end of Irrational Games, and the closure of Big Huge Games. Each chapter follows different industry professionals as they navigate sudden unemployment, relocation, career changes, and attempts to rebuild in an unpredictable business. Schreier shows how the video game industry's structural issues affect both veteran developers and new talent trying to break into the field. The narrative moves between various cities and time periods to demonstrate patterns of instability that persist despite the industry's overall growth and profitability. Through these collected stories, Press Reset reveals broader truths about job security, creative industries, and the human cost of entertainment products that consumers take for granted. The book raises questions about sustainable game development and the need for industry reform.

Readers emphasize the book's focus on human stories behind studio closures and layoffs in the gaming industry. Many note that it puts faces and personal experiences to industry turmoil through detailed interviews with affected developers. Liked: - Clear, engaging writing style - In-depth research and firsthand accounts - Balance of business context and personal narratives - Documentation of gaming history that might otherwise be lost Disliked: - Some stories feel incomplete or abruptly ended - Limited scope with focus on specific studio closures - Readers wanted more analysis of industry-wide solutions - A few found the tone occasionally pessimistic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.28/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) Reader quote: "The human element makes this more than just another business book. These are real stories about real people whose lives were upended by industry volatility." - Amazon reviewer Several readers noted the book works for both gaming industry insiders and general business readers.

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels by Jason Schreier Chronicles the development challenges and behind-the-scenes stories of multiple major video games through first-hand accounts from developers.

Console Wars by Blake J. Harris Documents the business battle between Sega and Nintendo during the 1990s through interviews with executives and employees from both companies.

Masters of Doom by David Kushner Traces the story of id Software founders John Carmack and John Romero as they revolutionized the gaming industry and created iconic titles like Doom and Quake.

Replay: The History of Video Games by Tristan Donovan Maps the evolution of the video game industry from its earliest days through the modern era with insights from creators and industry figures.

The Ultimate History of Video Games by Steven L. Kent Presents the complete history of the video game industry through interviews with key figures who shaped gaming from the 1950s to the early 2000s.

🎮 The book explores the volatile nature of game studio closures, revealing that between 2004-2012, an estimated 46% of game industry workers experienced at least three layoffs. 📚 Author Jason Schreier conducted over 100 interviews with former employees of defunct studios like Irrational Games, Junction Point, and 38 Studios for this book. 💰 One chapter details how baseball star Curt Schilling lost his entire $50 million fortune and Rhode Island taxpayers' money in the collapse of 38 Studios. 🏢 The book reveals that BioShock creator Ken Levine's management style led to significant turnover at Irrational Games, with only about a dozen employees remaining from the original BioShock team when BioShock Infinite was released. 🔄 A recurring theme shows how many laid-off developers end up leaving the gaming industry altogether for more stable careers in IT, software development, or teaching, despite their passion for games.