New book, Too Much Fun - The Five Lives of the Commodore 64 Computer
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@jesperjuul.net | @jesperjuul.bsky.social <https://bsky.app/profile/jesperjuul.bsky.social>
Thanks for sending me a message. All emails will be answered by January 10th. I wish you a good start to the year. M. Am 10.12.2024 um 15:22 schrieb Jesper Juul via Members <members@lists.sigcis.org>: 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. 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. www.jesperjuul.net<http://www.jesperjuul.net> | j@jesperjuul.net | @jesperjuul.bsky.social _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org
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