Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made by Jason Schreier

Do you ever stop and consider the complex and tumultuous steps that go into making the beloved video games we play on our consoles everyday? In his book "Blood, Sweat and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made," author and video game journalist Jason Schreier offers a riveting account of the trials and tribulations that can come with such a goal- fuelled endeavor.

Throughout the book, Schreier dives deep into various tales and anecdotes from ten different facets of video game development. Everyone from the individual developers, to Epic Games' Tim Sweeney, to Jason West and Vince Zampella of Infinity Ward is given a platform to share their experiences in creating some of the industry's most popular games. During his journey, Schreier delves into the details of how these games were made and how their developers persevered despite difficulties in production. Each story is expertly written, sharing the key information in an digestible and entertaining way.

Schreier offers an in-depth examination of the trials and tribulations that game developers face. They range from the immense pressure that developers feel from their publishers and audience to the struggle of having to meet expectations from the latter. Research and hard work is heavily emphasized throughout Blood, Sweat, and Pixels, as Schreier declares that no successful game is made without dedication and long hours of grinding.

Not only does the book illustrate the passion put into each game, but the consequences that arise due to such passion. In one of the stories Schreier covers, the creator of the puzzle game The Witness, Jonathan Blow, found himself in an arduous fight against an overbearing publisher that clung to the rights of the game. Similarly, the dev team of Irrational Games, which created Bioshock Infinite, had endured spikes of promotion, followed by harsh criticisms and consquently, dwindling purchases.

In Blood, Sweat, and Pixels, Schreier highlights the importance not just of immense dedication and hard-work, but of preserving oneself in such a demanding environment. He offers some tips for developers facing similar problems, such as maintaining a work-life balance, as well as not pushing developers too hard.

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels is an incredibly insightful and edifying read for those interested in video game development and the industry as a whole. Schreier offers stories that are both captivating and relatable for any reader, taking us on a journey that takes us through the creative minds and ideas of some of gaming's most influential figures. With both cautionary tales and inspiring accounts of perseverance, Schreier ultimately proves that producing a successful game is possible, provided you can withstand the rollercoaster ride that is video game development.