A "Massive Crisis Of Preservation": Lost In Cult's CEO on A Handheld History
Since the release of the Game & Watch in 1981, portable gaming has developed a rich history behind it, leaving a legacy distinct from its home console counterparts. is one of the latest projects from publisher Lost In Cult, the company behind gaming journal and other indie-centric releases like. focuses on the legacy left by portable devices and their games not just on the industry, but the community surrounding them.
This book lays out a timeline of handheld gaming since the beginning, with vibrant displays showcasing each device and their impact. The release serves not only as a collection of history, but also as a study of aesthetics over the years, with whole pages dedicated to things like special device color variations, unique illustrations, and vintage game cartridges. These visuals complement the book's interweaving of history with personal stories for each piece of technology, crafting a narrative that's simultaneously informative and personal.
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conducted an email interview with Jon Doyle, the CEO of Lost In Cult and 's creative director, to discuss the inspirations behind the book, the most influential moments in portable history, and the importance of video game preservation.
Screen Rant: What was the inspiration behind ?
A Handheld History was inspired by a few things! In a concrete sense, it was motivated by a lot of Japanese fashion books and their design philosophy. We’re always thinking about design references that will surprise readers and offer something that looks a bit different than your traditional games book. Popeye magazine in particular is a big source of inspiration for us across Lost In Cult’s range of projects.
We’ve refined A Handheld
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