From Barbie to Mortal Kombat: Gender and Computer Games Book

Unfortunately it's been probably a month since I read this so all of my clever observations have been forgotten.

Ultimately I enjoyed the book. Some parts were too academic, and some didn't provide enough specifics about the research - probably less of an issue if you aren't a big nerd. Many of the comments on 'gaming culture' are incredibly dated since 10 years is an eternity in any technology field. However, some of the predictions or suggestions have proven very true which is interesting in its own way.

It was really interesting to read some of the more anectdotal parts of the book and really see myself and my gaming preferences. Preferences I had never consciously realized that I had were detailed or predicted - things like an emphasis on walk-throughs and character customization, for example.

It was a bit of a chore to get through, but it was certainly a fascinating read for me. It covered a wide range - some research, some interviews, some geared towards education, some more towards the social and cultural aspects of gaming. Even if you don't make it through the whole book, I think there are certainly interesting enough parts to merit a read if you're interested in video games.