MC545: Gabe Durham
146In this Matt Chat episode, I sit down with Gabe Durham, founder of Boss Fight Books, to discuss the art of writing about video games and preserving gaming history. We explore Gabe’s work publishing in-depth, documentary-style books about beloved classics and the challenges of capturing the essence of games in nonfiction form.
Gabe also shares his insights on the evolution of the gaming industry, from the rise of MMORPGs like EverQuest and World of Warcraft to modern trends like games-as-service and creative stagnation. Plus, we discuss what makes a great game book, the process behind Boss Fight’s critically acclaimed series, and how these books inspire new ways to think about games.
I want to take a moment to thank my amazing supporters on Patreon. Your contributions help keep this show running and allow me to bring you interviews with some of the brightest minds in gaming. If you’re not already a supporter, it’s easy to join! Even $1 a month makes a huge difference. And if you’re not in a position to pledge, no worries—just liking, sharing, and commenting on the episode is a great way to help. Let’s keep Matt Chat growing—together!”
👉 http://www.patreon.com/blacklily8
Boss Fight Books website: https://bossfightbooks.com/
Timestamps:
0:00 – Introductions and holiday catch-ups
3:15 – From EverQuest to World of Warcraft: Lessons from MMORPG history
10:40 – Games-as-service and creativity challenges in the industry
20:10 – What is Boss Fight Books? Writing about games as history and art
30:00 – Preserving games and the importance of nonfiction narratives
News Links
RIP Donald Bitzer: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article296994969.html
RIP Gordon https://www.pcworld.com/article/2564783/gordon-mah-ung-remembered.html
Alaloth Champions of the Four Kingdoms: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/919360/view/4688899473259772720?l=english