I now have official word that A Theory of Fun for Game Design will be published by O’Reilly. They are going back to press on it pretty much immediately to meet the giant pile of backorders (like, well over a thousand), so hopefully everyone waiting for a copy will be able to get one for less than $200 in the next few months.
I am thrilled about this — it’s new life for the book, and the possibility of even some fresh momentum. I get asked about getting a hold of copies every single week, sometimes multiple times.
The question has also come up regarding updates. I’d have to re-read it closely, but although there have been lots of studies that have come out since publication that seem to reinforce the points the book makes, I haven’t seen anything to substantially alter the thrust of the argument. You?
Also, if there were any sort of update, the commonest thing I have heard requests for is to actually have endnote numbers, since it is used a lot in academia. Anything else? (No, not color cartoons…)
15 Responses to “O’Reilly picks up, reprints A Theory of Fun”
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[…] today brings great news! Raph Koster himself writes that the book is going back into print, and should become generally available again sometime soon: I now have official word that A Theory […]
Heh, I was just getting used to the idea that my copy is a collector’s item. 😉
I was just getting used to the fact that I donated cash to Amazon a few months back. It will be interesting to see if Amazon can figure out how to deal with a book that’s on backorder for so long and changes publisher.
“Games, Diversions & Perl Culture: Best of the Perl Journal” already got the Dragon on the cover – what’s your O’Reilly animal going to be? 😛
I don’t think the look is changing just yet. 🙂
It’d have to be a dhole.
Congrats. Any changes for the new edition?
Given the backlog of orders, they are going to go back to press immediately to meet those. After that, we’ll see.
I’m about to order a large number of books from O’Reilly. Any idea when this might be shipping? I didn’t see it in their “upcoming” books list.
Please keep us posted as to the status of publishing this book, and availability. I’m trying to use it as a textbook in a course I’m offering this semester, so obviously time is of the essence. Thanks for handling this.
[…] I don’t have a copy. It is out of print and virtually impossible to source. Luckily, he says that a new printing will be available this summer. I’ll certainly order it when the time comes. Being unfortunately for the time being ignorant […]
Kindle Edition?
Congrats on getting the reprint! *I*, of course, have had a copy for years now. 😉 It’s a little weathered, but still very readable.
Raph, ever considered doing a book on MMO design? You’re a well-known name in the field, probably one of the best known. I think it’s an idea you could probably sell to a publisher. I know *I’d* buy a copy. 😉
Kindle Edition?
I don’t think it would be Right to read AToF on a Kindle…
I’m seconding KevinMc’s request for a book out of Raph on MMO design. I would be first in line to buy it… digitally that is.