[SIGCIS-Members] New book, Too Much Fun - The Five Lives of the Commodore 64 Computer

[Jesper Juul]

Dear SIGCIS list

I have learned a lot from this list, so I am happy to announce that my new
book, *Too Much Fun: The Five Lives of the Commodore 64 Computer* is out
today in the Platform Studies series on MIT Press
<https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262549516/too-much-fun/>.

*Too Much Fun *is about two central *mysteries*. First, why is the
best-selling Commodore 64 computer absent in many computer and video game
histories*? *Second, why did this early computer, destined for a shelf life
of just a few years, live so long, and end up being produced from 1982-1994?

Building on work in media archeology, the book is a "*biography*" of
technology, where I show both the historical ideas and technology behind
early home computers, advertising, the design of the machine, and how this
design was later used in both intended and unintended ways, and how the
computer sometimes played along, and sometimes resisted new uses. I write
about how early computer manufacturers were worried about the stigma of the
"game machine" and even about color. I write about the difference between
early North American and European home computer history, which I think has
been understudied.

I use this to describe the "*Five Lives"* of the title, as the Commodore 64
was *imagined* to be different things in its 40 years of existence from 1)
a serious computer, to a 2) game computer, to 3) a computer for a
technological subculture, to 4) a computer about to fall behind, to 5) a
comforting device whose limitations are now a style, a cause for
celebration, an old device experiencing a new renaissance.

*Too Much Fun* is* for anyone interested in computer or game history*, in
how devices can be made to live longer, and for anyone who had, or didn't
have, a Commodore 64.


You can get the book in electronic or paper format from your preferred
distributor, or via the book's website: https://www.jesperjuul.net/c64/



*Endorsements*

“Jesper Juul has provided a long-needed addition to the Platform Studies
series. It's a wonderful book, as readable as it is informative.”

*Jimmy Maher, author of The Future was Here: The Commodore Amiga*

“A beautiful, sincere, and rich account of everything that makes this
influential computer so special to me: that unique punk stew of technology,
creativity, culture, people, and zeitgeist.”

*Gary Penn, editor of Zzap!64; inaugural Games Media Legend; author of
Sensible Software 1986–1999; Creative Director at DMA Design*

“In this standout contribution to the Platform Studies series, Juul
illuminates the overlooked career of the Commodore 64 home computer by
integrating the perspectives of hardware designers, marketeers, game
programmers, demo creators, and retrocomputing enthusiasts.”

*Thomas Haigh, lead author of ENIAC in Action and A New History of Modern
Computing*

“As someone who has a wealth of knowledge on this subject, this book is
'highly recommended reading,' so do not hesitate—just buy this book and
rejoice.”

*David John Pleasance, musician, former Managing Director, Commodore UK,
author of Commodore: The Inside Story*


-- 
Jesper Juul, Video game theorist, Royal Danish Academy
New book coming Dec 10, 2024: Too Much Fun: The Five Lives of the Commodore
64 Computer <https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262549516/too-much-fun/>.
www.jesperjuul.net | j at jesperjuul.net | @jesperjuul.bsky.social
<https://bsky.app/profile/jesperjuul.bsky.social>
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