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Sid Meier's Memoir!: A Life in Computer Games (English Edition) Kindle Edition

English edition by Sid Meier (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 979 ratings

The life and career of the legendary developer celebrated as the “godfather of computer gaming” and creator of Civilization, featuring his rules of good game design.


"Sid Meier is a foundation of what gaming is for me today." — Phil Spencer, head of Xbox


Over his four-decade career, Sid Meier has produced some of the world’s most popular video games, including Sid Meier’s Civilization, which has sold more than 51 million units worldwide and accumulated more than one billion hours of play. Sid Meier’s Memoir! is the story of an obsessive young computer enthusiast who helped launch a multibillion-dollar industry. Writing with warmth and ironic humor, Meier describes the genesis of his influential studio, MicroProse, founded in 1982 after a trip to a Las Vegas arcade, and recounts the development of landmark games, from vintage classics like Pirates! and Railroad Tycoon, to Civilization and beyond.


Articulating his philosophy that a video game should be “a series of interesting decisions,” Meier also shares his perspective on the history of the industry, the psychology of gamers, and fascinating insights into the creative process, including his rules of good game design.

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  1. Print length
    294 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    W. W. Norton & Company
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    8 Sept. 2020
  6. File size
    16.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Review

[Meier is] the master of turn-based gaming.--Will Wright, developer of The Sims

If you ever wished you could stay up all night and hear the most amazing stories from one of the world's most creative people, Sid's memoir is for you. This book is full of incredible tech history and deep insights into what it takes to make a world-class game. But most of all, I loved getting inside Sid's brain and seeing things from his inventive and wise point of view.--Jane McGonigal, author of the New York Times bestseller Reality is Broken: How Games Can Change the World and Make Us Better

[H]eartfelt and informative....[This book] will appeal to old-school gamers with an appreciation for the history of video games.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

A growing pile of video-game histories...suggest that the medium has always had collective effort at its heart, from its academic beginnings to its ascent into everyday life. In Meier's memoir, we discover that he was a good game-maker when he fought this essential fact, but that he became great when he learned to embrace it.--Neima Jahromi "The New Yorker"

[A] fascinating look at the legendary designer's career. It's full of anecdotes and design principles that Meier has learned over the years.--Jason Schreier "Bloomberg"

Any game designer who tries to tell you that he hasn't taken anything away from a Sid Meier game is akin to a film director saying he has never watched a Hitchcock movie. For Sid is our Hitchcock, our Spielberg, our Ellington.-- "Gamespot.com"

Sid Meier is a foundation of what gaming is for me today.--Phil Spencer, head of Xbox

About the Author

Sid Meier, creator of Civilization, has been honored with virtually every award in the video game industry. A member of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame and founder of Firaxis Games, Meier lives in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

Charles Constant is an actor whose professional storytelling career began at the age of thirteen, when he became an Actors' Equity Association apprentice. An accomplished audiobook narrator, Charles has recorded many popular titles, including How to Win at the Sport of Business by Mark Cuban. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B085845CX9
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 8 Sept. 2020
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 16.4 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 294 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1324005889
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Best Sellers Rank: 240,415 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 979 ratings

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  1. Sid Meier

    Sid Meier

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  2. Jennifer Noonan

    Jennifer Noonan

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    Jennifer Lee Noonan is a writer and performer from Austin, Texas, with credits in a wide range of creative fields including books, video games, and podcasting. She holds two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Texas, and her nonfiction article “Dupes and Duplicity” won a Sidney Award from The New York Times in 2020. Her latest book, SID MEIER’S MEMOIR!, is available now.

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Customers find the book readable and interesting. They say the author tells the story on a pleasant and entertaining manner.

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3 customers mention ‘Content’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the content interesting and enjoyable. They say the author tells the story in a comfortable and entertaining way.

"...Der Autor erzählt auf angenehm unterhaltsame Weise seine und die Geschichte von Microprose, beginnend mit ersten Programmierversuchen zur..." Read more

"War interessant zu lesen. Das Buch ist in einem einfachen Englisch geschrieben." Read more

"...Wenns um die Arbeit geht sind die meiner Meinung nach sehr interessant, die privaten Geschichten weniger...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Readability’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable. They say it's written in relatively simple English, making it easy for even non-literate readers to understand.

"...Das Buch ist in relativ einfachem Englisch geschrieben, so daß auch nicht so geübte damit gut zurecht kommen sollten...." Read more

"War interessant zu lesen. Das Buch ist in einem einfachen Englisch geschrieben." Read more

"...Trotzdem fand ich das Buch gut zu lesen und das eine oder andere Detail seines Lebens war dann doch neu...." Read more

Top reviews from Germany

  • Ein Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Eine informative und lesenswerte Zeitreise mit Sid Meier!
    Reviewed in Germany on 14 October 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Ich habe dieses Buch spontan ca. 1 Monat vor dem Erscheinungsdatum gekauft, und es nach der Lieferung in zwei - sehr kurzweilig empfundenen - Etappen innerhalb von 24 h ausgelesen. Für alle, die selbst Computerspiele (vielleicht sogar von Microprose) ab dem Beginn der 80er Jahre gespielt haben oder damit zu tun hatten, werden hier viele Erinnerungen an bekannte Spiele-Titel und Namen von damals aus der Branche aufkommen.

    Das Buch ist in relativ einfachem Englisch geschrieben, so daß auch nicht so geübte damit gut zurecht kommen sollten. Der Autor erzählt auf angenehm unterhaltsame Weise seine und die Geschichte von Microprose, beginnend mit ersten Programmierversuchen zur Schul-/Studienzeit, bis später zu den großen Hits wie Civilization.

    Ohne jemals in langweilige oder langwierige Belanglosigkeiten abzuschweifen erfährt der Leser hier sehr viel an Hintergrundwissen und bislang schon bekannte Details werden noch ein wenig mehr mit Anekdoten, persönlichen Erinnerungen und Geschichten von 'damals' ergänzt.

    Für mich ein empfehlenswertes Buch für alle, die schon die 80er Jahre am Computer miterlebt haben, oder die ein wenig mehr von den Anfängen der Spiele-Industrie und über eine der damals prägenden großen Firmen erfahren wollen.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Christoph Brenner
    4.0 out of 5 stars Das Leben einer Legende in Zeitraffer
    Reviewed in Germany on 4 December 2021
    Sid Meier ist eine Legende.... da sind 270 Seiten einfach zu wenig, allein die Entstehung von Civ dürfte damit nicht abzudecken sein wenn man ins volle Detail gehen will.

    Deswegen bitte keine Ausführlich Bio erwarten, was Sid aber auch nicht will. Viel mehr nimmt euch der sympathische Entwickler anhand seiner Games auf eine vergnügliche Zeitreise mit. Diese leitet er oft mit einigen Worten zu den Spielen ein, würzt diese mit amüsanten Anekdoten und schweift dann immer wieder zu aktuellen Themen und seinen Ansichten dazu ab. So deckt er im Laufe des Buches auch seine Kindheit, die Entstehung von Mindscape sowie deren Verkauf und seinen Neuanfang mit Firaxis ab.

    Dabei ist der Stil stets locker flockig und auch ohne EDV Studium verständlich. Englisch sollte man natürlich schon etwas mehr beherrschen, als nur "Yes" und "No" und auch das Kennen der Games macht das Buch deutlich interessanter.

    Auch Positiv, Sid Meier verliert kaum negative Worte und wirkt nie wie ein frustrierten "Früher war alles besser" oder "dann waren alle gemein zu mir"-Entwickler der 90er, sondern wie jemand der Veränderungen in der Branche mag, fördert oder halt zumindest akzeptiert ohne sich daran karrieretechnisch aufzuhängen.

    Negativ? Nun ja die Länger erlaubt wohl wirklich nur einen Streifschuss über sein wirken und hin und wieder ein paar Abbildungen hätten auch nicht geschadet. Die ab und zu eingestreuten schwarz/weiss Bilder sind nett und immerhin immer mit Bezug zum Text gewählt und nicht einfach so hingeklatscht.

    Alles im Allen für Fans von Sid Meier ein Muss, aber auch lesefreudige Gamer kommen auf ihre Kosten, wenn auch vielleicht nicht so ausführlich wie erhofft. Deswegen "nur" 4 Sterne, der fünfte ist dann quasi für Sid Meier Fans der Entwickler selbst.
    One person found this helpful
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  • V. Dirr
    5.0 out of 5 stars Schönes Buch
    Reviewed in Germany on 19 August 2023
    Verified Purchase
    War interessant zu lesen. Das Buch ist in einem einfachen Englisch geschrieben.
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  • divide by zero
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in Germany on 24 November 2021
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent view on the early days of gaming from a great master. A must have for everyone interested in this era!
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  • Werner
    3.0 out of 5 stars Nette Biographie für Fans
    Reviewed in Germany on 9 February 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Habe mir die Sid Meier Biographie geholt, weil ich sein Werk bereits seit vielen Jahren verfolge. Deshalb waren die neuen Informationen gering. Vieles findet man auf den zahlreichen Videos auf Youtube. Trotzdem fand ich das Buch gut zu lesen und das eine oder andere Detail seines Lebens war dann doch neu. Wenns um die Arbeit geht sind die meiner Meinung nach sehr interessant, die privaten Geschichten weniger. Sid ist einfach ein ganz normaler bodenständiger Menscg, das merkt man.
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  • AyCe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr interessant
    Reviewed in Germany on 22 October 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Als jemand der mit Civilization, Pirates!, usw. groß geworden ist und sich für Softwareentwicklung interessiert kann ich dieses Buch nur empfehlen.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • kalipso3
    5.0 out of 5 stars Świetna książka napisana z typowymi dla Sida lekkością i humorem
    Reviewed in Poland on 21 February 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Fajnie przeczytać historię życia kogoś kto przez lata był synonimem świetnej, pozytywnej rozgrywki w budowanie, przeżywanie przygód i poznawanie świata przedstawionego. Do tego prawie zawsze w nieco innej konwencji, świeżej tematyce, zawsze wykonane ze smakiem i solidnością. Książka pozwala poznać całkiem sporo o życiu prywatnym i młodości Sida, zrozumieć dlaczego tworzył takie a nie inne gry, a także wiele zabawnych faktów i historii. Pokrzepiający dowód na to że gry wideo to wspaniałe hobby dla każdego.
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  • Nicolas Privat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in France on 7 October 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Delivered as expected. Great quality
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  • Pablo G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirador
    Reviewed in Spain on 12 December 2021
    Verified Purchase
    He descubierto que Sid Meier había hecho más juegos de los que yo pensaba y a los que también había jugado hace décadas. Un relato inspirador y un vistazo desde dentro a los primeros días del mundo del desarrollo de lo que ahora llamaríamos juegos indies.
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  • Darren and Leah Hazelton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic description of the early days of computer game development.
    Reviewed in Australia on 19 January 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Fantastic description of the early days of computer game development, particularly around the massively popular Civilization series.
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  • David Kopec
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read for Aspiring Game Designers
    Reviewed in the United States on 4 June 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I’ve played far too many hours of Civilization throughout my life. If you haven’t, or you’re not an aspiring game designer, then you may find large sections of Sid Meier’s Memoir! hard to appreciate. But I do love Sid Meier’s games and I do dabble in making games as a hobby. So, I really appreciated this memoir that takes you through Meier’s entire career as well as some of his rules of game design that have made him so successful.

    This book is not a deep dive. Each chapter, which generally covers a game or two, provides some insight about how a game was developed and why it worked (or did not work) for the player. But the chapters are short, and many of them concentrate on just one aspect of the game or Meier’s philosophy. The two things I found most interesting were the inspiration behind each game, and the gameplay rules that Meier learned over time.

    It’s not a tell-all, and it doesn’t cover much about the video game business. You won’t get a play-by-play about the development of Civilization VI. Meier says that he left much of the business side to his partners. Instead, this is a book about the creative process.

    Meier touches on enough of his personal life to give you a general outline of his life and some of the real-life hobbies that led to some of his best games. Again, most of the details are left out, but there’s enough there to be inspiring. The thing I found the most surprising in the entire book, is that despite his high position, Meier continued to be an active participant in the programming of his games (or at least the prototypes) late into his career.

    In short, Sid Meier’s Memoir! is limited in its scope. It’s mainly about game design and the creative process. But it does that well. You won’t quite feel like you’re in the trenches with the team making Civilization, but you will feel like you have a sense of where their head was at. The lessons about game design and the creative process that Meier provides are drawn from deep experience and most seem self-evidently true. The writing is clear and the insights are real. If you loved his games or you want to make games, you should read this book.
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