Gamemaster Classified, book featuring information from Howard Phillips funded on Kickstarter
Yesterday, author and game developer Matthew Taranto announced and opened and funded a Kickstarter campaign for Gamemaster Classified: Inside Stories and Secrets from Nintedo’s History. This book covers a lot of Nintendo’s history as a company from the perspective of Taranto, as well as co-authored by Howard Phillips, Nintendo of America’s 1980s spokesperson. Here’s the official overview:
The ultimate Nintendo fan (Matthew Taranto) teams up with Nintendo’s own Gamemaster (Howard Phillips) to make a tell-all book!
Howard got his start at Nintendo unloading thousands of Donkey Kong arcade machines into a warehouse, but within a decade became Director, Game Creative and “Gamemaster” – a sort of corporate mascot for the company. You might recognize him from Nintendo Power’s Howard & Nester comics! Well, the Gamemaster is back to dole out info in a tell-all book about his mostly fun-filled 10 years at Nintendo of America (NOA)! From behind-the-scenes secrets to his own personal reviews of over 100 games, Howard’s ready to prove what we always knew–that knowledge is (Nintendo) power!
Joining Howard is Matthew, a webcomic artist, composer and Nintendo Switch indie game designer. But first and foremost, Matthew is a gamer and will be offering the perspective of a kid who grew up in the NES era. So while Howard discusses playtesting every NES title under the sun, Matthew will offer his perspective of an American boy whose childhood was enriched by these fun experiences. Also, he’ll be handling art: the layouts, the book’s frequent comic breaks, plus hundreds of unique illustrations!
The bulk of GAMEMASTER CLASSIFIED is split into yearly chapters spanning from 1981 to 1991–the entirety of Howard’s time at NOA. And within each chapter are several sub-sections chock full of info, controversies, commentary and fun. Just to name a few:
- Nintendo Insider — A glimpse at the inner workings of NOA and the ways their business had to adjust to the ever-changing game industry.
- Howard’s Now Playing — Howard (in his classic comic form!) relives funny moments, difficulties, embarrassments and adventures while working at Nintendo. Like everything in this book, these are true stories!
- Classified Information — The hidden, sometimes embarrassing, sometimes controversial happenings behind the scenes! Lawsuits, cover-ups, internal disputes, it’s all here!
- Matthew’s Memories — More comics! Matthew draws on his personal perspectives as an ’80s kid growing up with the NES, with each story focusing on a specific game. Here’s a section of one:
- Year In Reviews — Howard & Matthew weigh in on each year’s biggest games and aren’t afraid to call ’em like they see ’em! Ride along as Howard identifies key developments and games that propelled the industry forward. Also features “The Gamemaster Awards,” where the duo choose their top picks for the year in a variety of categories.
It doesn’t stop there. Bookending the publication will be bonus sections such as a timeline of Nintendo B.C. (before consoles), a uniquely comprehensive Appendix that reveals all sorts of secret game details (including Howard’s own confidential data), and Nintendo Power mainstays like the Player’s Pulse section of featured art and letters to Gamemaster Howard! Or Matthew. Whoever!
Currently Gamemaster Classified: Inside Stories and Secrets from Nintedo’s History is scheduled to be released in February 2022
