From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror
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Description
Scary games may have entered the mainstream with the likes of Resident Evil and Silent Hill in the PlayStation era but interactive entertainment has always been drawn to its darker side. From Ants to Zombies is a showcase for the remarkable range horror gaming has achieved, across six decades, from the 1970s to the 2020s, and over 70 hardware platforms, from the ZX Spectrum to the Xbox Series X.
More than 130 horror titles are analysed and contextualised across thirteen thematically-divided chapters, covering a variety of genres (from rail shooters to open-world RPGs), settings (from haunted mansions to infested space stations) and shades of fear (from creeping existential dread to stomach-churning outbursts of violence). The discussion is enlivened by exclusive commentary from pioneering horror developers such as Keiichiro Toyama (Silent Hill), Jane Jensen (Gabriel Knight), Ken Levine (System Shock 2), Sandy White (Ant Attack), David Riordan (It Came from the Desert), Paul Norman (Forbidden Forest), Graeme Devine (The 7th Guest), and many more.
Spanning 600+ beautifully-illustrated pages, From Ants to Zombies offers an opportunity to revisit venerated classics and discover unfairly overlooked gems, tapping into the inexhaustible riches of six decades of video game horror.
From Ants to Zombies comes as a hardback, with a unique glow-in-the-dark logo and text. As with all our publications, we print lithographically on high-quality paper to showcase the gorgeous visuals as the games deserve. We also use thread sewn binding for extra durability and the ability to lay the book open flat. The cover features a specially created artwork by artist Vasilis Zikos.
Includes contributions from:
Adam Birch, Airdorf, Anna Anne Anthropy, Ben Cocuzza, Bob Johnson, Bryan Eggers, Charlie Cleveland, Clem Chambers, Danielle Dorsey, Dave Lebling, Dave Lloyd, David Riordan, DontFightDucks, F.J. Lennon, Graeme Devine, Graham Reznick, Ivan Zanotti, Jane Jensen, Jasper Byrne, Jeff Tunnell, Julien Névo, Keiichiro Toyama, Ken Levine, Kitty Horrorshow, Larry Fessenden, Laura Hunt, Lode Coen, Lynda Cowles, László Szenttornyai, Malcolm Evans, Michael Lutz, Mike Richardson, Octavi Navarro, Paul Norman, Robb Sherwin, Sandy White, Scott Adams, Ted Hentschke, Thomas Möhring, Tim Cowles, Tim Keenan, Trevor Storey, William McDonald and Wright Bagwell.
Book Specifications
Games featured
Shipping
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Reprint Updates
- E“Edward “Toy” F.Verified Buyer6 days agoRated 5 out of 5 starsTerror in Every Frame: A Must-Have Journey Through Six Decades of Horror Gaming
Bitmap Books has once again outdone itself with From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror, a lavishly detailed tribute to the evolution of horror in video games. This book is a must-have for fans of the macabre, the interactive, and the history of gaming, chronicling six decades of terrifying digital experiences.
One of the standout aspects of Bitmap Books' releases is their unwavering commitment to quality, and this book is no exception. The care they take in handling and shipping their books is among the best I have ever seen. The packaging is almost an art form itself, with foam protecting the corners, sturdy cardboard preventing damage, and enough space to ensure that the cover arrives in pristine condition. For collectors and book lovers alike, this level of care is a dream come true.
The book itself is beautifully designed, with high-quality printing that brings horror imagery to life. The striking cover art by Vasilis Zikos and meticulous layout ensure a visually compelling experience. Whether you're flipping through its pages for nostalgia or deep-diving into its insightful essays, the physical experience of reading this book is as premium as it gets.
Written by Alexander Chatziioannou, this book is not just a catalog of games but an expertly curated journey through horror's role in gaming. The structure is thematic rather than strictly chronological, allowing for a deeper exploration of different subgenres, from space horror to haunted mansions,…
- DDavidVerified Reviewer2 months agoRated 4 out of 5 starsAlmost Great
I found most of this book pretty good - generally the mix between the author's views and interviews/reflections from developers was good. With an anthology like this you are always going to get some titles covered that you aren't as interested in, and some titles that you'd like to hear more about missing - but there's a good mix of titles and sub-genres covered and it is an interesting read.
- ALAlessandro L.Verified Buyer3 months agoRated 5 out of 5 starsAs usual a beautifully done book
As usual a beautifully done book, excellent in graphics and content, organized by subgenres, with interesting approach. Arrived in excellent package, as always in perfect condition.
- PMPierre M.Verified Buyer5 months agoRated 5 out of 5 starsStunning book
One again, no surprise, I got a killer book from Bitmap Books. Really impressive, tons of pictures and cool story..... Love it ;)
- KHKenneth H.Verified Buyer11 months agoRated 5 out of 5 starsWell written, gorgeous layout!
I thought this might just be a cool coffee table book, but it’s a proper reference book and a must-have for any enthusiast of the horror genre (in video games and beyond). I’ll be buying more BitMap books in the future.
