Best of
Video-Games

2019

Joey Drew Studios Employee Handbook (Bendy and the Ink Machine)


Cala Spinner - 2019
    Drew's legacy of iconic characters like Bendy, Boris the Wolf, and Alice Angel! In this handy guidebook, you'll learn how to get around the studio, operate our state-of-the-art Ink Machine, and work well with our dedicated staff of creatives and crew members. Mr. Drew himself has even included a walk-through of all the tasks you'll need to complete to make it out of your first week alive, as well as an excerpt from his memoir The Illusion of Living, to inspire you to carry our company mission forward.In time, we hope you'll find a home here at our studios. Who knows? After a while, you may never want to leave!Don't miss this terrifying in-world guidebook, your key to unlocking the mysteries of Bendy and the Ink Machine!

Dreams Come to Life


Adrienne Kress - 2019
    Working as a delivery boy to support his family, Buddy wants to become an artist, a dream he's sure will never be realized. But that all changes when a delivery job puts him face-to-face with Mister Joey Drew, the eccentric owner of an animation studio.Mister Drew takes Buddy under his wing as an apprentice, thrusting him into a world unlike anything Buddy has ever seen before. There's the colorful cast of the studio, from the cranky, yet driven composer Sammy Lawrence to Dot, the writing intern and Buddy's counterpart. Working for Mister Drew, Buddy starts to think that maybe it's really as simple as Mister Drew says: Dreams do come true. But not everything at the studio is as picture-perfect as it seems . . .Something is going bump in the night at Joey Drew Studios, something that leaves behind trails of thick, dark ink. While the studio frantically works toward their latest deadline, Buddy and Dot team up to find out just what is tormenting the studio after-hours, even if it means tracking the trail to Mister Drew himself.Don't miss this official, original, pulse-pounding story from award-winning author Adrienne Kress, developed with theMeatly, Mike Mood, and Bookpast!

League of Legends: Realms of Runeterra (Official Companion)


Riot Games - 2019
    Embark on a journey through the realms of Runeterra in this first-ever collectible companion book, published to celebrate the game's tenth anniversary.Spanning the farthest reaches of this universe and venturing into uncharted territory, this encyclopedic compendium connects players to the rich storytelling that inspires all the action. Inside, you'll find:An expedition through eleven regions, chronicling conflicts, entrenched rivalries, and covert alliancesHundreds of illustrations, including never-before-seen maps and artworkInsights into the heroes, flora, fauna, architecture, politics, and technologies from all corners of this worldOriginal narratives that bring the cultures of Runeterra to lifeLeague of Legends is an online game played by millions of people around the world, offering endless engagement with an expanding roster of champions, frequent updates, and a thriving esports scene. This volume is an essential reference for fans everywhere.

The Monster of Battle Island: A Battle Royale Adventure


Matt Korver - 2019
     The Battle Island mailman is missing, and only one person in the whole world can save him. Unfortunately, that person is done being a hero. Pete Kartson never asked for his island home to turn into a battle royale warzone. He’d certainly prefer that people in goofy costumes didn’t hack through his ceiling every morning at 7 a.m. And he really doesn’t feel like facing off against a crazed madman again. But Pete might not have a choice. Strange things are going on at Battle Island, and it’s looking like Mailman Dale is at the center of everything. Can Pete and his friends solve the mystery before it’s too late for everyone? The Monster of Battle Island is the second in a series of funny, action-packed battle royale adventures. It's a great way to convince reluctant readers to set down the controller for a few minutes and pick up a book. The Monster of Battle Island is perfect for fans of video game books for kids like the Trapped in a Video Game series and Cube Kid books.

Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future


Jun Eishima - 2019
    This deluxe, hardcover edition includes full-color inserts featuring concept art and exclusive content.To oppose the gods or yield to fate?That is the question confronting each of the characters in The Dawn of the Future. Ardyn, having saved countless lives from the Starscourge, means to become the Founder King of Lucis and instead is cast into tragic exile. On the day the Empire falls, as the imperial capital collapses around them, Commodore Aranea is entrusted with the life of a singular young girl. The Oracle Lunafreya, upon awakening from the slumber of death, discovers that her body has undergone an extraordinary transformation. And after gazing upon the eternal, Noctis, the True King, finally comes to terms with his destiny. Herein lie the stories of the dawning of a new world in Final Fantasy XV.

The Art of Splatoon 2


Nintendo - 2019
    The Art of Splatoon 2 also features storyboards and other extras sure to make a splash with any fan!Don't miss this ink-redible look at the best-selling family-friendly game Splatoon 2 in this colorful high-quality hardcover!

Wanderer's Journal: A Journey Through the Heart of Hallownest


Ryan Novak - 2019
    Created by Kari Fry and Ryan Novak, the dynamic duo that brought you the Stardew Valley Guidebook, this lovingly illustrated 160-page hardcover journal features:- A comprehensive guide to all of Hallownest's varied environments.- Friendly faces, fearsome foes, flora, fauna and fungi.- A void-black faux leather cover with silver and blue foil that shines like a Lumafly Lantern.This beautiful 5.5 x 8.5 inch volume should be on every brave explorer's bookshelf. After all, we can't let Lemm hoard all the Wanderer's Journals, can we?

Sonic: Tangle & Whisper #0


Ian Flynn - 2019
    Fan-favorites Tangle the Lemur and Whisper the Wolf take the spotlight in this special preview for their upcoming mini-series adventure! Check out a sneak peek of their next adventure as two of the newest and already most beloved Sonic characters team-up! Also includes a recap of Season 1!

Animal Crossing Official Sticker Book (Nintendo)


Courtney Carbone - 2019
    With tons of awesome activities and over 800 stickers, Animal Crossing fans will love their new life!

Pokémon Sword Pokémon Shield: The Official Galar Region Strategy Guide: Collector's Edition


The Pokémon Company International - 2019
    But you’ll be ready for it all with this guide! Here’s what you’ll find inside: •Complete walkthrough of the new Pokémon adventure! •Lists of moves, items, and more—including how to get them! •Info on all of the new features, including Dynamaxing and Max Raid Battles! •Guides to the Wild Area and all you can do there! •Pullout map of the region!

Rise of the Crimson Order


Matthew J. Barbeler - 2019
    Barbeler! For fans of Diablo, Bloodborne, and The Elder Scrolls. Once you log in, you don't log out. Crematoria Online is the world's first alternate reality game. Players transfer their consciousness into the game world, and 10,000 souls were chosen as the first wave of Crematorians. Once they log in, they find themselves trapped in this gothic horror fantasy world. Uncover the Secrets of Crematoria Lucas Hutchins chooses to play as an Investigator, which gives him the ability to find clues to solve cases. But Crematoria is a world where everyone has a skeleton in their closet, and secrets are buried deep. Armed with his sword and flintlock pistol, Lucas must defend himself against those who would kill to keep the truth hidden. Two Souls. One Destiny. Lucas teams up with Ellie, a heavy armor-wearing Enforcer for the Eldin Judiciary. She is judge, jury and executioner, all rolled into one. Together, they seek truth and justice, but at what cost? The Crimson Order rises. The Crimson Queen is building an army. Citizens from the length and breadth of Crematoria are disappearing, and a mysterious symbol is being left in their wake. The sigil of the Crimson Order. Lucas and Ellie must fight or die to save a world that is holding them both hostage. If Crematoria burns, so will they. A note for readers: Even though the author of this novel is Australian, this work has been written using American spelling and conventions.

Game On! 2020


Scholastic Inc. - 2019
    All games featured in Game On! 2020 are rated T for Teen or younger, keeping it appropriate for young gamers.

The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System


Chris Scullion - 2019
    As well as covering all 714 officially licensed NES games, the book also includes more than 160 unlicensed games released during its lifespan, giving for the first time a definitive history of this important console's full library. Written by a retro gaming expert with 30 years of gaming experience and a penchant for bad jokes, the NES Encyclopedia promises to be both informative and entertaining.The NES continues to enjoy a strong cult following among Nintendo fans and gamers in general with wide varieties of officially licensed merchandise proving ever popular: both for older fans who remember it the first time around, and younger gamers discovering the system for the first time through Nintendo’s regular re-releases of its older games.Nintendo’s most recent console, the Switch, is the fastest selling video game console of all time in the United States and Japan. Nintendo will be launching a variety of classic NES games for download on the system later in 2018, meaning a new audience of gamers is due to discover the NES for the first time.

The Art of Diablo


Jake Gerli - 2019
    

Sonic the Hedgehog: Annual 2019


Ian FlynnJennifer Hernandez - 2019
    In the lead story, the odd couple of Tangle the Lemur and Whisper the Wolf team-up to save a friend in need! Then Sonic and Tails take the Tornado for a spin, but is Sonic going too fast? Plus, Silver and Blaze slow down for a minute to go gardening, the Sonic Fan Club has their first official meeting, and Rouge the Bat hunts for treasure!

Welcome to Revachol - A Digital Art Booklet for Disco Elysium


ZA/UM - 2019
    You’re a detective with a unique skill system at your disposal and a whole city block to carve your path across. Interrogate unforgettable characters, crack murders or take bribes. Become a hero or an absolute disaster of a human being.Unprecedented freedom of choice​. Intimidate, sweet-talk, resort to violence, write poetry, sing karaoke, dance like a beast or solve the meaning of life. Disco Elysium is the most faithful representation of desktop role playing ever attempted in video games.Countless tools for role playing.​ Mix and match from 24 wildly different skills. Develop a personal style with 80 clothes items. Wield 14 tools from guns to flashlights to a boombox, or pour yourself a cocktail of 6 different psychoactive substances. Develop your character even further with 60 wild ​ thoughts ​to think – with the detective's Thought Cabinet.A revolutionary dialogue system with unforgettable characters. ​The world is alive with real people, not extras. Play them against each other, try to help them, or fall hopelessly in love. Disco Elysium's revolutionary dialogue system lets you do almost anything.Carve your unique path across the city​. Explore, manipulate, collect tare or become a millionaire in an open world unlike anything you've seen before. The city of Revachol is yours for the taking, one small piece at a time. From the streets to the beaches – and beyond.Hard boiled, hard core. ​Death, sex, taxes and disco – nothing is off the table. Revachol is a real place with real challenges. Solve a massive murder investigation, or relax and kick back with sprawling side-cases. The detective decides – the citizens abide.

SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE Official Artworks


FromSoftware - 2019
    The book features story imageboard, character design, and concept design used in creating the unique sengoku era of "SEKIRO".

Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2020


Guinness World Records - 2019
    and that's just the start! And, if that wasn't enough, this year a special section is dedicated entirely to the gaming sensation that is Fortnite. We've worked closely with the game's publisher, Epic, to obtain the most accurate facts on the best players, the most popular equipment and the biggest in-game events. We've also crafted specially designed Reader Challenges to put our readers to the test and crown all-new record holders!The book's features will transport our readers to more legendary gaming franchises - whether they visit a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars, get up-to-speed on gaming's debutant heroes, catch-up on a year's worth of eSports tournaments, or explore the history of Assassin's Creed's locales. Gamer's 2020 has something for every gamer on the planet and remains the ultimate guide to gaming!

Luigi A Number One: Why Luigi is the Best Thing to Ever Happen to This Godforsaken Planet That We Live On


Luigi Enthusiast - 2019
    

Halo: Lone Wolf #1


Anne Toole - 2019
    With only an ONI AI at her side, Linda must fight through both the dregs of the Covenant and the hostility of a lost human settlement to stop the rogue scientist in his tracks.

Faces of Thedas: A Dragon Age RPG Sourcebook


Lisa AdamsMatt Miller - 2019
    From fan-favorite companions like Alistair and Dorian to deadly antagonists like Loghain and Knight-Commander Meredith, this book gives Game Masters a memorable cast to work with, providing game statistics, backgrounds, and advice on how best to use these characters in your own Dragon Age campaigns. It also includes new rules for managing and using relationships in play, giving additional depth to rivalries, friendships, and romance. Major organizations like the Antivan Crows and the Carta are also detailed. Faces of Thedas is a must for any Dragon Age GM.

The Art of Anthem


BioWare - 2019
    Dark Horse Books and BioWare are proud to present The Art of Anthem, showcasing the grandeur and beauty of this dangerous new world.Filled with behind-the-scenes looks at four years of game production, original concept art, and exclusive commentary from developers, The Art of Anthem is a fantastic addition to any gamer fan's bookshelf!

The Art of Bravely Second: End Layer


Square Enix - 2019
    The second of two-volumes, this collection intimately explores the concepts and creativity from the next chapter in the fan-favorite BRAVELY series!

Metal Slug: The Ultimate History


Sam Dyer - 2019
    Metal Slug: The Ultimate History is the first officially-licenced book to document the lineage of one of gaming’s most beloved franchises.

The World of Tom Clancy's The Division


Ubisoft - 2019
    Within weeks, millions lay dead, and the city was placed under quarantine. The only force with any hope of restoring order are the embedded agents of the SHD--more commonly known as the Division. Despite the quarantine, the infection continues to spread across the country. Amidst a ruined government, a shattered infrastructure, and an eroding civilization, the Division is now called to action in Washington DC--but if the agents fail, the capital will fall, and the nation with it.The World of Tom Clancy's The Division is the meticulously crafted result of a partnership between Dark Horse books and Ubisoft Entertainment, offering readers a unique insight into the chaotic and dangerous world of the hit games. Don't miss this opportunity to learn all there is to know about the tactical methods, the high-tech tools, and the all-important mission of the Division!

Procedural Storytelling in Game Design


Tanya X. ShortBruno Dias - 2019
    Games are an interactive medium, and this interplay between author, player and machine provides new and exciting ways to create and tell stories. In each essay, practitioners of this artform demonstrate how traditional storytelling tools such as characterization, world-building, theme, momentum and atmosphere can be adapted to full effect, using specific examples from their games. The reader will learn to construct narrative systems, write procedural dialog, and generate compelling characters with unique personalities and backstories.Key FeaturesIntroduces the differences between static/traditional game design and procedural game design Demonstrates how to solve or avoid common problems with procedural game design in a variety of concrete ways World's finest guide for how to begin thinking about procedural design

The SNES Pixel Book


Bitmap Books - 2019
    

100% Unofficial Fortnite Essential Guide


Becker&Mayer! Books - 2019
    The vibrant graphics and in-depth instruction of this comprehensive guide bring the world of Fortnite to vivid life. Gain a competitive edge with these techniques, tips and tricks, maps, building instructions, weapon specifications, and more. Ready for your first game? First, choose which gaming platform suits you best and whether to go into battle alone, team up with a partner, or join a squad. Familiarize yourself with the controls, then get the key information you’ll need to jump right into battle. Pick the right drop zone to nail your landing strategy using a map of the game’s mysterious island with details on each named location, including where to find loot and advice on tricky-to-navigate areas. After an overview of game screen essentials to navigate and keep an eye on your friends and foes, you’ll find a detailed guide to looting. You’ll learn how to harvest materials for building, taking cover, and gain battle-winning vantage points and the strengths and weaknesses of each type. Find where and how to loot weapons, ammo, traps, and healing consumables for maintaining your survival. Become an all-knowing weapons expert with the advice on choosing and using weapons, including a guide to available pistols, sub-machine guns, light machine guns, assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, grenades, and launchers. To master the game, you’ll need to learn how to build. Here, you’ll learn how to build all types of walls, ramps, floors, and roofs, plus advanced tips for developing your building skills. An overview of movement fundamentals provides tips on how to lurk, creep, check your surroundings, and avoid being shot. Finally, put everything you’ve learned together with a review of combat strategies and scenarios. At the back, a list of vital dos and don’ts provides an overview of the key takeaways, and a safety tips page provides guidance for parents and younger fans. So fire up your PC, Mac, Xbox, PS4, Nintendo Switch, or iOS device, lock 'n' load and prepare for battle...

Make Your Own Pixel Art: Create Graphics for Games, Animations, and More!


Jennifer Dawe - 2019
    With Make Your Own Pixel Art, pixel artist Jennifer Dawe and game designer Matthew Humphries walk you step-by-step through the available tools, pixel art techniques, the importance of shapes, colors, shading, and how to turn your art into animation. By the end of the book, you'll be creating art far beyond what's possible on paper!Make Your Own Pixel Art will teach you about: - Creating pixel art using the most popular art software and the common tools they provide- Drawing with pixels, including sculpting, shading, texture, and color use- The basics of motion and how to animate your pixel art creations- Best practices for saving, sharing, sketching, and adding emotion to your artWith a dash of creativity and the help of Make Your Own Pixel Art, your digital drawings can be brought to life, shared with the world, and form a basis for a career in art, design, or the video games industry.

Chronicles of Light


Square Enix - 2019
    Presenting the first FINAL FANTASY XIV short story collection, containing the 21 passages originally posted on the official website, including “Tales from the Calamity,” “Tales from the Dragonsong War,” and “Tales from the Storm.”In addition, the book contains four new chapters penned by the development team:“The Hunt Begins” offers a glimpse into Zenos’ past.“The Players and the Pawns” details the struggles of Hancock and Tataru in Kugane.”Ever After” features Hien and the recovery efforts of Doma.“The Samurai Who Couldn't Die” follows Gosetsu on his travels after the events in the game.The book also features cover artwork and illustrations (one per story) drawn by Toshiyuki Itahana (FINAL FANTASY XIV, FINAL FANTASY Crystal Chronicles, Chocobo’s Mysterious Dungeon) specifically for this book.

The Neighbor's Notebook: The Official Game Guide (Hello Neighbor)


Scholastic Inc. - 2019
    Wind your way through the many lore reveals of the novels, and piece it all together with theory pages that unpack the evidence you've been puzzling over. Plus you won't want to miss this exclusive sneak peek at what's coming next for the game series. It's all here in this guidebook. Just be sure to lock your doors first!