UPDATE: Jaz Rignall’s The Games of a Lifetime is released on February 10th.
The Games of a Lifetime by Julian “Jaz” Rignall is by someone well-known to British retro gaming fans . He was a regular contributor in various classic 1980s and 90s video games magazines, and revealed the forthcoming title on X/Twitter recently.
As you can see from the cover image, this looks like the usual Bitmap Books quality. Described as a “tome” of “video game time travel,” it seems to cover a lot. It’s 420 pages long, too, which isn’t short.
Here’s a gist of what to expect:
Across its 420 pages, The Games of a Lifetime is a video game time machine that takes you on an incredible journey from the very dawn of the industry, through the decades to the present day. It’s essentially video game history from the inside, seen through the eyes of Jaz Rignall, a hardcore gamer who cut his teeth racking up ludicrously large scores in his local arcades, won the 1983 UK National Arcade Championships, and ended up becoming a journalist/influencer who launched iconic game magazines like ZZAP!64, CVG and Mean Machines, which he wrote for and edited with his customary flair and humour.
Rignall describes it as a “five-decade-long journey through what were to me the most important gaming events and experiences during that period, starting from the previously mentioned Pong through the 8- and 16-bit computer revolutions and the European console renaissance, across the millennium, and all the way to the modern age.”
Sounds pretty good, eh? If that wasn’t enough, it features art by illustrator Will Overton.
Head to the Bitmap Books website to register your interest in Jaz Rignall’s The Games of a Lifetime. It’s slated for release on February 25th, 2025. The book is out on February 10th, 2025.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
