The text is being set by our own KHan Games (you might recall his great work from the e-zine days), and he has done an excellent job so far! He started at the beginning of the book (surprise), so nothing too new to see in terms of content, but you can get a general idea of the quality and format. All images subject to change as things shift around and become finalized.
11/10/16
If you look over the list of items that are included with the LLE, you might notice that a history book is on the list. You might also notice that it is not in the box . Well, it is nearing completion, and is in the final stages of proofing before going to the very talented KHan for layout. The book weighs in at over 22k words and includes around sixty images, some of them never before shown publicly (to the best of my knowledge anyways). It has been an enjoyable experience writing it, and I am very thankful to Brian for the opportunity. If you've never noticed, I like to write.
Since the AVS has been an epic forum experience, I have structured the book accordingly. It is written with you all, the members of NA, in mind. After a brief introduction, the shape of the book is as follows:
Chapter I: A detailed reading of the initial “I have a dream” post. This involves going over the immediate company changes back in early 2013, and then continues to trace the developments over the next ten months. It explores many of the questions that the community raised in regards to the HDMI top loader modification and the prospect of experiencing the NES in HD, culminating in...
Chapter II: PRGE 2013, the first public unveiling of the AVS! Details of the event are given, and some of the general reactions that people had to the system are shared. However, the AVS more or less appeared out of the blue, so it is necessary to examine...
Chapter III: The behind the scenes development of the AVS. The clock is turned back over a year and the inner workings of the project are finally revealed! This lengthy chapter, the meat of the book really, goes over some of Parker’s early thoughts regarding making a console, and the initial attempts to see it come to fruition. It traces the development (and death) of the HDMI top loader modification and the early periods of the AVS. A lengthy examination of the design process is also given, along with a slew of images from this phase of the project. The chapter ends with a recap of PRGE 2013, before moving onto...
Chapter IV: The long delays of manufacturing. The concluding chapter briefly mentions some of the delays that cropped up at this time, but then jumps forward to what bunnyboy tackled while waiting. Short descriptions of the items that accompanied the AVS launch are provided before concluding the story.
When Brian and I first started talking about doing a history book for the AVS I had a much larger (and probably dryer) vision in mind. However, I wanted it to be for members of NA through and through, particularly since it would be included with the LLE and in the hands of those already somewhat knowledgeable of the console. Therefore, I chose to focus on the early development of the system, and all of the ups and downs from that period. It is not a complete history, as there are still many things that could be told about it (and need to be at some point!), but the early period forms a cohesive and engaging narrative.
Many of you factor into the story, directly or indirectly, due to the questions that you asked and points that you raised in the “I have a dream” thread. A lot has changed in the landscape that is our community since then, hence why I spend a good chunk of time in chapter I going over the company changes. The story of the AVS is interesting because it is the story of a community: one that rallied behind a project and helped to make it what it is. Indeed, we are still creating that story, with each new bug that is found and every new experience enjoying the wonders of the NES in HD.
Thanks to everyone who has helped in answering questions, providing pictures, looking over drafts, and regaling me with stories, solicited or not!
~SGP
p.s. Now you know why Spook-o'-tron has been so late!