From Sun Tzu to Xbox
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Ed Halter |
| Products | Non-fiction book on video games history |
From Sun Tzu to Xbox: War and Video Games is a 2006 publication authored by journalist and film critic Ed Halter, which investigates the historical development of video games.
Description
This work outlines the progression of video games, highlighting their origins in military technology and their connection to contemporary military-themed titles such as America's Army and Full Spectrum Warrior. Additionally, it explores earlier associations between warfare and gaming, including the transformation of chess into the variant known as kriegspiel.
Reviews
David Fear from Time Out commended Halter for his comprehensive examination, though he observed that the author's subjective opinions occasionally shifted attention away from the main subject.
Quotes
Advancements in technology that influence our society have consistently been driven by warfare.
While video games were not initially designed for military use, they emerged within an intellectual context deeply rooted in defense research.
A more authentic version of America's Army might depict soldiers sustaining severe injuries or brain trauma during combat, followed by gameplay resembling The Sims where players manage post-injury life. Alternatively, it could focus on non-combat scenarios such as conducting military exercises in a desert environment.