'You all need this book in your life, not only for the new stuff you will learn, but for the adventure you will have while reading it' Pixel Addict, recommended read

Do you know what secret messages were hidden in Commodore BASIC? Why the highest score possible in Pac-Man is 3333360? That Steve Wozniak set the price of the Apple ][ computer at $666.66? Or why the Amstrad CPC 472 had an 8K chip that was never connected?

From 0 to 2147483647, and from Acorn Atoms to VIC-20s, 20 GOTO 10 takes us on an adventure through the history of retro computers and games consoles - one number at a time.

By following the 'GOTO' instructions at the end of each entry, you'll create a unique journey through this treasure trove of forgotten geek lore and fascinating trivia. With any luck, you'll discover the number used to grant infinite lives in Jet Set Willy on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, the reason a single digit might require seven bytes of memory, and how - through numbers - we can understand more than just the internal workings of our favourite retro machines.

A numerical adventure through the history of retro computers of the 1980s and 90s

About the Author

Steven Goodwin has had an interest in computing and science for as long as he can remember: he learned machine code by his 10th birthday and built his first synthesizer while still in his teens. Since then he's been a developer, CTO and system architect for companies large and small. As an industry thought leader he's written 60+ articles and 5 books, and has worked as a start-up consultant, keynote speaker and mentor.

He was the lead developer of the Die Hard: Vendetta game and the Grand Prix Manager series, as well as other games from Microprose, PlayFish, EA and Glu Mobil.

Reviews

'A book written by a geek for geeks ... It's also a game, a fun and engaging play on the rules of roleplay. I've read and re-read 20 GOTO 10 and constantly find new and strange secrets of retro gaming's past' CreativeBloq

'We have found a book that not only will have something new for you to learn, but the experience is pure nostalgia itself . . . A nice sprinkling of wit and comic timing. We end up with a book that is the best of both worlds, technical information told in an entertaining way . . . Across the whole book there are references and research packed into every section with skill. Established convention and history is questioned and updated while maintaining a good blend of technical detail and interesting anecdotes . . . Even with all the stuff I know already, the book was refreshingly new to me . . . In case the review was not clear, you all need this book in your life, not only for the new stuff you will learn, but for the adventure you will have while reading it' Pixel Addict, recommended read

Book Information
ISBN 9781800182745
Author Steven Goodwin
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Unbound
Publisher Unbound