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The awesome inner workings of video games

Arie Kaplan - Author

The book opens up the workings of video games without asking readers to dismantle a console, moving from code and the console’s decision-making to memory, controls and display.

More about this book

"Ever wondered what's inside the plastic of your video game console but don't want to crack it open to find out? Crack open this book instead! You'll learn what computer code looks like, how a game console's "brain" makes decisions, and how its memory allows you to return to play each day without starting from scratch."--Provided by publisher. This book looks at how a video game works, including what computer code looks like, how a game console's "brain" makes decisions, and how its memory allows gamers to return to play each day without starting from scratch.

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Book Analysis

At a Glance

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Computer code· ExplainedConsole decisions· ExplainedGame memory· Explained

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

computer codeconsole decisionsgame memorygame engine

Non-fictionIllustrated book

Themes in Context

How a game works

The book explains components and processes behind video games, including code, the console’s decision-making and memory.Exploratory / explanatory

How the book presents it: It presents these as technical workings to understand, rather than as a story or an argument about gaming.

Talk about: How does the book connect code, decisions and stored progress into an account of a working game?

Why It May Be Worth Reading

It may suit a curious reader who wants to understand the technology behind playing, including how saved memory lets a game be resumed rather than started from scratch.

What Deserves Attention

The focus is on technical workings, not on playing strategies or particular games; consider whether that behind-the-scenes angle matches your reader’s interest.

A Conversation Worth Having

Which part would you most like to understand: how code guides a game, how the console remembers progress, or how the game appears on screen?

Reading Approach

Follow the contents from code and the game engine through memory and the console-to-TV connection; pause at each stage and invite your reader to explain how it links to the next.

Confidence & Basis

Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.

What remains unconfirmed

How a game works: The specific explanations, examples and depth of treatment are unclear.

The Awesome Inner Workings of Video Games - Arie Kaplan - Google Books

Limited information

Checked: 1 October 2026.

Relevant to: How a game works

The awesome inner workings of video games by Arie Kaplan | Open Library