Frequently asked questions
How can I buy this book?
It's available in paperback, for $30 USD (
order here), and also as an ebook for $15 USD (
order here). We'll be grateful if you grab either (or both!). With each of these versions, you're getting 245 pages of full-color illustrations and awesome content, spanning 25 chapters. I do recommend the paperback version, as it's a great addition to any bookshelf or coffee table.
What do I get when I buy the ebook, if not a physical product?
You'll receive an e-reader-friendly EPUB with all 25 chapters. (We can also send you a PDF if preferred, just email us at
versusthebook@gmail.com.) Every page, from front to back. Fifty different contenders broken down thoroughly and pitted against one another, plus a plethora of lists, drawings, charts, tangents, and tomfoolery.
It's all
available at the click of a button. Pay, download, enjoy. And support independent authors while you're at it.
Is this a history book?
I mean, I guess, but please don't put it that way. Sounds really boring. VERSUS does chronologically guide readers through the history of video games, from Pong's arrival in the early 1970s all the way up to current day, but it's presented as a series of progressive battles. Through in-depth research, personal recollections, artistic renderings, offshoot sidebars, pop culture tie-ins, and wayward metaphors, you'll traverse the evolution of gaming like never before.
Who are you guys? What makes you authorities on video games?
I'm Nick. That's Jay. Jay, say hi to these folks. Jay says hi.
We're daytime marketers and nighttime hobbyist content creators out of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. We wouldn't claim to be authorities in any official sense. Neither of us brings any professional expertise in the arena of video games, per se. But we do bring something we think is more valuable: authentic passion for the medium, forged through our experiences growing up alongside it.
For all intents and purposes, video games as we now know them in America were born in the mid-1980s. So were we.
Jay and I wanted to apply our skills in writing, researching, storytelling, designing, illustrating, and shit-stirring toward something we felt a large number of people would enjoy. This was a fun book to put together and we're confident you'll have a fun time reading it. More fun than playing Superman 64, guarantee you that much.
Who was the best character to use in Street Fighter 2?
There are varying schools of thought. Some would say Dhalsim, given the long-range advantages provided by his stretchy limbs. Others would point to Guile, the defensive star who combines Sonic Boom and Flash Kick to devastating (and sometimes glitchy) effect. But I'll fall back on good old Ryu and Ken, the most balanced characters that represent the heart of this franchise in so many ways. Jay disagrees and defaults to E. Honda. If you have gripes with that pick you're welcome to
take it to him on Twitter.
Trust me, we talk about all kinds of stuff like this in the book. You should grab it.
Is VERSUS appropriate for children?
I would say so, but it depends on the age, and your tolerance level for a little naughty language. There are a few swears and innuendos spread throughout the book, including a couple of uncensored F-bombs, but in general VERSUS is intended to be accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages. On an ESRB scale, I'd rate it as T for Teen: "May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language.
Why is this book $30? That seems expensive for a book.
I know. I wish we could sell it cheaper and turn any kind of profit. But we don't have a Publishing House (TM) behind us, and the realities of self-publishing are tough. Above all we wanted to make sure we were offering a quality product that met our standards. We're confident that what you're receiving is well worth the price.
If 30 is too steep, please consider
grabbing the electronic version, which is half the price and still gives you all the (contentious) content to enjoy. It is readable on smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, e-reader, and Game Gear*.
*Possibly not Game Gear.
Where is it available for purchase?
You can order the paperback version of VERSUS via our publishing partners at Lulu, and you can purchase and download the digital version via Gumroad. It will soon be available through other channels, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Stay tuned.
What should I do if I have issues with my order?
Book lost in the mail? The printing on your copy got messed up? These things do happen, unfortunately. Email us and we'll be happy to get you squared away with a refund or replacement: VersusTheBook@gmail.com
