I’m Too Young To Die: The Ultimate Guide to First-Person Shooters 1992–2002

Bitmap Books proudly presents I’m Too Young To Die: The Ultimate Guide to First-Person Shooters 1992–2002. Covering the early, experimental years of the first-person shooter, we celebrate more than 180 games as we track the genre’s explosive entrance onto the ’90s gaming scene. Whether obscure oddities or genre-defining behemoths, first-person shooters transported players to alien worlds, alternate universes and the shores of Hell itself, and in doing so helped to trigger the 3D-graphics arms race.

Containing in-depth research and hundreds of screenshots, I’m Too Young To Die covers it all: the classics that defined the genre, including DOOM and Quake, Half-Life, Deus Ex, GoldenEye 007 and Halo; multiplayer-only games such as Starsiege: Tribes, Unreal Tournament and Quake III, along with mods like Counter-Strike and Team Fortress; experimental games that pushed the genre in new directions, including Gun Buster, Codename Eagle, Assassin 2015 and Trespasser; forgotten games like ZPC and ReVOLUTION; and hidden gems like Dust, Wrath of Earth and Azrael’s Tear.

I’m Too Young To Die begins in 1969 with the precursors to first-person shooters, charting the genre’s inception and evolution through maze and roleplaying games, early 3D experiments and light gun shooters, all leading to 1992’s Wolfenstein 3D and Ultima Underworld. We also cover the anatomy of the first-person shooter, asking what gives them their power to enthrall, their influence over 3D graphics and online gaming, plus a look at first-person shooters that were never released.

Along with a foreword by first-person shooter legend, John Romero, I’m Too Young To Die includes in-depth interviews with industry legends such as Ian and Chris Andrew (the Freescape games), Scott Miller (Apogee and 3D Realms), David Doak (GoldenEye 007 and TimeSplitters), Randy Pitchford (Gearbox Software), Karl Deckard (Metroid Prime and Valve’s Prospero), plus many more …

Click here for the full list of Featured Games

Specifications

I’m Too Young To Die is a 424-page hardback printed to the highest standards using special Pantone ink and high-quality paper, with an illustrated cover by videogame artist Ian Pestridge.

210mm × 297mm. Edge-to-edge high quality lithographic print. Special Pantone ink used throughout. Hardback. Sewn binding for enduring quality and the ability to lay flat for ideal double-page image viewing. Spot varnished cover and dust jacket highlighting key elements against a matte background. Bookmark ribbon. Shrink-wrapped.