Jordan Mechner: The Creation of "Prince of Persia" – Diaries 1985-1993

Film fan and Yale student Jordan Mechner is 27 and – thanks to two home computer hits – suddenly a successful, internationally known game designer: "I should write memoirs. Starting at 15, when I got my first Apple II, up until the release of Prince of Persia. A good story, a piece of history, mine!" he writes on February 14, 1992, but also: "I have no idea who is supposed to read this! I also don't really like people who write memoirs when they're young, totally smug..." The diary, which Mechner starts despite his reservations, accompanies his attempt to top the successful debut game "Karateka" and describes the creation and marketing of the masterpiece "Prince of Persia". It invites us into the wild, golden 8- and 16-bit era and lets us share in the restless life of a young creative who is looking for his place between screen and pixels – and becomes world famous in the process. Mechner's Memories and sketches are contemporary historical documents, very personal insights into early game development and the creation of digital narratives. First-hand historical content, a software and self-discovery fairytale that comes true: The official version of the diaries 1985 - 1993 presents Mechner's original drawings, design documents and business records. Also included in the German translation are appendices with explanations of people, companies, contemporary terms and games - rich context and lots of background information on an era that gave birth to a new art form and a billion-dollar industry.