Die Erschaffung von "Prince of Persia": Tagebücher 1985-1993 (German)

Die Erschaffung von "Prince of Persia": Tagebücher 1985-1993 (German) is first-hand historical content, translated and edited by Stephan Freundorfer. A software and self-discovery fairy tale come true: The officially licensed version of the 1985-1993 diaries 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 - context and background to an era that gave rise to a new art form, a mega-medium and a billion-dollar industry.

Film fan and Yale student Jordan Mechner is 27 and - thanks to two hits, Karateka and Prince of Persia - suddenly a successful, internationally renowned game designer: "I should write a memoir. From the age of 15, when I got my first Apple II, to the release of Prince, the game that marked the end of the Apple era. A good story, a piece of history, mine!" he notes on 14 February 1992, but also: "No idea who's going to read this! I also hate people who write memoirs when they're young, totally self-important ..."

The diaries, which Mechner begins despite his reservations, accompany his attempt to top the Karateka debut, describing the Prince of Persia's creation and marketing. They invite us into the wild, golden 8- and 16-bit era and allow us to share in the restless life of a young creative looking for his place between screen and pixels - and becoming famous. Mechner's memories and sketches are historical documents, very personal insights into early game development and the emergence of digital narratives.

Hardcover book, 378 pages, in German language.