Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter

An insightful & entertaining tour of the art of video games

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter launched in 2015; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Getting Gamers▲58

   The psychology of video games

   2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   How Games Move Us: Emotion by Design ▲70

   A look at how games make us feel

   2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Reality is Broken▲65

   Why Games Make Us Better & How They Can Change the World

   2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Theory of Fun for Game Design▲67

   Thoughts on the most important element of any game's design

   2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Game Writing▲73

   Narrative Skills for Videogames

   2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Below▲80

   Explore. Survive. Discover.

   2015 · whatliesbelow.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   The Art of Video Games▲73

   From 8-bit to 3D, great coffee table book

   2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Tom Clancy's The Division: New York Collapse▲58

   An interactive field guide to expand the popular video game

   2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Reality is Broken▲60

   Why games make us better and how they can change the world

   2015 · amazon.ca · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Level Up Your Life▲88

    Live your life like a videogame

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses▲72

    Ryan Hoover's fave book on The Twenty Minute VC

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Confessions of a Teenage Gamer▲65

    The TRUTH behind competitive gaming

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    The Art of Strategy▲68

    A game theorist's guide to success in business and life

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    From Barbie to Mortal Kombat▲67

    Explores the complicated issue of gender in computer games­

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Games People Play▲65

    The basic handbook of transactional analysis

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Designing Virtual Worlds▲61

    The most comprehensive treatment of virtual world design

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    21st Century Game Design▲83

    Who are we designing games for and how do we do it best?

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Gamewheel▲73

    Empowering creators in the digital world

    2015 · gamewheel.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    The Oxford History of Board Games▲73

    Investigates the myriad board games around the world

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Designing the Invisible▲69

    Create great web experiences

    2015 · fivesimplesteps.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Level Up!▲2

    The Guide to Great Video Game Design

    2018 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Cartrdge▲111

    A community for the people making video games

    2016 · cartrdge.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Playing at the World▲54

    A history of simulating wars, people & fantastic adventures

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Another World▲63

    A landmark cinematic action-adventure

    2015 · anotherworld.fr · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →