Sid Meier's Memoir!

A Life in Computer Games

By: Sid Meier, Jennifer Lee Noonan - contributor

Narrated by: Charles Constant

The life and career of the legendary developer celebrated as the "godfather of computer gaming" and creator of Civilization.

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.

©2020 Sid Meier and Jennifer Lee Noonan (P)2020 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Fun interesting listen

Love Sid Meier’s games, and learning about the creator himself didn’t disappoint. I also really enjoyed the narrators voice.

Good though I wish there was more about the games themselves

Everything the book does cover is covered well, but I had hoped for more coverage of games themselves and why each was made. I would've loved to hear more about why Beyond Earth was made or his thoughts on requests for remakes of some of his older games, but later in his career he just kinda glosses over the games.

A great memoir for anyone interested in games

Just a note on the audio version: there are game style “Achievement Unlocked” footnotes in the text that work pretty well on Kindle, but can be extremely confusing in audio, especially when they are read at the end of the chapter rather than as they come up. I started on audio and finished on Kindle partly for that reason. The pictures of the games were pretty good too. Narration fine otherwise though.

Behind the scenes of Sid Meiers discography

All the stories behind what brought each Sid game to the shelf and our computers. Includes the more recent Civ Rev titles which was a pleasant surprise. Sid sinks his teeth into these designs as much as he did with the classics. Inspiring.

A Fascinating Journey Through the Mind of a Gaming

Sid Meier's Memoir!: A Life in Computer Games is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in the world of video games, game development, or the life of a creative genius. Sid Meier, the mastermind behind iconic titles like Civilization, Pirates!, and Railroad Tycoon, takes us on an enthralling journey through his life and career, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a man who has shaped the gaming industry for decades.

The memoir is written in a conversational tone, making it accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Meier's storytelling is engaging, filled with humor, and incredibly insightful. He delves into the intricacies of game design, the challenges of running a business, and the highs and lows of a career that has spanned over 30 years.

What sets this book apart is its perfect blend of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom. Meier doesn't shy away from discussing his failures and setbacks, which adds a layer of authenticity and vulnerability to his narrative. He also shares valuable lessons he's learned along the way, making this book not just an autobiography but also a guide for aspiring game developers and entrepreneurs.

The book is peppered with fascinating tidbits about the development of some of the most beloved games in history. From the initial concept to the final product, Meier provides a detailed account of what goes into creating a game that can stand the test of time. His passion for his craft is evident on every page, and it's infectious.

Sid Meier's Memoir! also offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting the early days of the gaming industry and the technological limitations that came with it. It's amazing to see how far we've come, and this book serves as a testament to the innovation and creativity that have driven this progress.

In summary, Sid Meier's Memoir!: A Life in Computer Games is a captivating, enlightening, and inspiring read. Whether you're a gamer, a game developer, or simply someone interested in the journey of a remarkable individual, this book has something for you. It's not just a memoir; it's a celebration of a life dedicated to the joy of creation and the magic of gaming.

A nice slice of Sid Meier’s life as a game developer and beyond

I really enjoyed getting a look into Sid Meier’s life as a game developer, but also what else happened in his life and it inspired him. Though it might be to early for him to do a memoir. Who knows maybe there will addendum in the future.

amazing

really great book, educational, funny, and intruiging. I would recomend this to anyone who likes game design, sid meier, or civ

Inspiring & Fun historical anecdotes

My introduction to Civilization was Civ 2 in the 90s. I fell in love with the game instantly and spent many hours. Just “one more turn” was truly accurate. I wasn’t a typical die hard fan, but always loved the game, even today (no need for the 3D graphics imo but that doesn’t change my enjoyment)

So with that background, I happened to stumble upon this title while browsing - doom scrolling in actuality. I put it on my wishlist and forgot about it. Later I discover it being on the plus catalog and that was a bonus.

I couldn’t put it down

I was just planning to give it a 30 minute quick listen, but couldn’t stop listening and finished it in 2 days. It was so interesting to hear the history and lead up to the development of Civ. The memoir isn’t only about Civ, but you can sense how all the historical accounts would intersect to culminate with the game we all know today.

So many of the stories leave you stunned, in a nerdy, fun way. There are some really neat accounts and encounters over the years. And much of the story leaves you wishing you could have lived through the 80/90s era where much of the early game development was pioneered.

If you love Civ, Sid M games, and/or strategy games, you’ll likely enjoy this memoir. Especially if you happened to live consciously through the 90s. Bonus points if you know or studied classical music as there’s a fun chapter centered around developing a game inspired by the music of Bach.

The performance was decent. a bit dry at times, but the inflections in time made it feel as if the narrator could have possibly been Sid himself. To be honest, I almost skipped this title after the first couple of minutes due to the performance being drier than I was looking for. But I decided to stick it out as the stories were too interesting to skip. After a while, I got used to the style and didn’t find it distracting. 

I could see this being a title I listen to multiple times.

Inspiring us all to make interesting decisions

An inspiring story from a man who has designed and created at least 55 video games, a true icon in the industry.

Delightful

What a great memoir! There is just the right amount of game history coupled with personal insight and experience that makes this memoir shine! Sid seems like a great guy and worthy of a book and a listen. 5 stars.