Raising the Stakes: E-Sports and the Professionalization of Computer Gaming

I found this book out of desperation. I really wanted to write about the topic of e-sports and needed a good source. Wow. What a thorough book. It has so many citations and sources that I literally stopped reading the words in parenthesis (after a while).It gives a great introduction to e-sports and backs up everything with facts and data. This book is just full of useful (and probably important) info on the gaming culture. However, I guess I just didn't entirely find the point of the book. It's basically like reading an encyclopedia on e-sports. If you're looking for great info- you've found it! If you're looking for an entertaining book with an agenda though, you won't be satisfied. BUT SERIOUSLY- this is like the go to book for this topic. I don't think there is a more thorough or well written book about it. Well done!

'Written with a bit of analytic and philosophical wit, Taylor covers various and important aspects of eSports history, culture and what was needed to bring it all together.'I've gone into reading this book with two minds: first, as a gamer and lover of eSports with several years experience in online tournament play; second, as a fourth year undergraduate student of philosophy. I would say that both my mind as a gamer and as a philosophy student were graciously satisfied in reading this book. If you're a fan of philosophy, particularly within the realm of game theory, then there's something for you in this book. If you're a fan of eSports, then there's something for you in this book.

Provided an in-depth history and analysis of the evolution of e-sports, e-sports media, and business. While slightly out of date, (a lot of changes have happened since it was published) it still encapsulates some of the main fundamentals of e-sports and gaming culture.

I was pulling e-sports research for my thesis when I came across this book as a recommended read from my university library. I am obsessed with Taylor's writing style, fully researched and documented facts, and ability to keep the reader's attention. She has years of research and experience which she conveys in an interesting easy read. This was a nice break from mundane text book research and poorly written blogs, articles. Love this author. Already searching for more of her works.

First time reviewing a product on Amazon, and surprisingly, a book.I'm not yet done reading the whole thing, but as a Masters student looking forward to gain some insight into the e-sports business world, it provides as much content as you'd expect from book which main focus is a broad approach to the e-Sports professionalization topic.The several different approaches used by Taylor to define e-Sports are on point, starting out by drawing the social and psychological aspects of players and the community, which provides a good first look into the scene to those who are unfamiliar with it.The only lackluster part, and the only reason why it isn't scoring a perfect 5-star, is the lack of references when it comes to the e-Sports business aspect. I'd like to be linked to statements from organization owners, or even major team sponsors, with concrete data explaining their investments in teams/players. Personally, from a Business student perspective, it would make it perfect. But I guess that since this is somewhat of a field which isn't yet entirely defined/mainstream, some prefer to conceal their data.If you're an e-Sports fan, or just someone curious about this phenomenon, this book is a great read.

When I was young, I would like to be an e-sports player.

E-Sports is nothing new to me but I wanted to read her book in particular to know what a reseracher did find out. Although some things have changed such as the esports association in Europe or the ESL, the book focus on the broadness and potential eSports has. It is no longer a secret that gamer in Europe can make money through computer games.Anyhow, this books is highly recommended for those who would like to know what it really means and where and how it all started. Please do read it, especially if you are not really familiar with the whole scene, it will help you to understand the potential and the similarities between physical sports and eSports.

Livro muito bom, atendeu plenamente as minhas expectativas!Proposta inovadora e conteúdo muito bem selecionado, com certeza recomendo a compra!

Rien à dire sur le contenu du livre, mais il a été imprimé à l'envers ! La couverture est dans un sens, et les pages dans l'autres...Nothing to say about the content of the book, but it was printed upside down! The cover is in one way, and the pages the other way...

Amazing!