How a Game Lives by Jacob Geller

What’s the best part of watching a movie, playing a game, or reading a book? For me, it’s watching YouTube. Everything from the “20 details you missed” and “What the ending really means,” to multi-hour deep dives into themes and histories and world building.

Jacob Geller’s videos are a big part of that post-media diet. His 30+ minute videos on themes of fears, media, endings, and all other things video games are beautifully written and visceral to experience at times. So I was excited to dive into his writing when I got a hold of his first book “How a Game Lives.”

The book is a series of YouTube scripts from some of Geller’s most popular and evocative work since the creation of his channel. Each essay is accompanied by beautiful custom art, well-designed page layouts, and several asides that give more context or expand on each essay. Also, sprinkled around these scripts are over 2,000 something words of author annotations. I absolutely loved getting to hear Geller’s reflections on his writing, creative process, and occasional Spongebob memes. As someone who cringes when I look at older productions of writing, choreography, or design, it was comforting to see that big creative YouTubers feel the same.

After each of these script-essays are pieces by guest writers. The guests created short pieces that reflect on the themes Geller discusses in his book. Sometimes agreeing with his premise, sometimes expanding on holes left in his analysis. Others offer different views or discuss something else entirely.

Reading through Geller’s book makes me realize how much I can reflect and think on the media that I consume. A common thread of these essays is “I can’t stop thinking about X.” X might be the fear of cold, Jewish heritage, or the political stance of Call of Duty. It’s the driving force of his essays, and I can’t help but be inspired to more deeply think on the media I’ve watched. It’s a savoring. It’s a beautiful excess.

While writing this reflection, I was very excited to see that Jacob Geller is coming out with a second book of essays—“You’re Not Overthinking It”. If the writing, art, and design of the first book are any indication, this second installment will be just as incredible. If you’re a fan of video games, deep reflection, or art, I’d highly recommend grabbing “How a Game Lives” or preordering his second book.