About the Author

Walt Williams is the award-winning video game writer known for his work on such beloved franchises as Star Wars Battlefront, Bioshock, Civilization, Borderlands, Mafia, The Darkness, and the acclaimed, genre-bending Spec Ops: The Line. His book, Significant Zero, explores the hardships and insanity of AAA game development. He lives in Louisiana with his family.

Reviews

“A compelling look into a world that doesn't like to spill its secrets to outsiders . . . . [Significant Zero] has a bright Hero's Journey arc (complete with setbacks, small deaths) and the winning of boons through cleverness and combat.” (Jason Sheehan, NPR)

"Fascinating and compelling, Walt Williams’ memoir is an incredibly human account of what it takes to survive in today’s video game industry. Significant Zero is more than a tale of Williams’ hard-won wisdom but an inspired vision of a better future for games.” (Jane McGonigal, author of New York Times bestsellers Reality is Broken and SuperBetter)

"Prediction: What William Goldman's Adventures in the Screen Trade was for aspiring filmmakers, Walt Williams's Significant Zero will be for aspiring video game developers. Williams is—somehow simultaneously—funny, rude, exasperating, and inspiring, and he describes the insider reality of game development better than anyone has yet. A tremendously entertaining book." (Tom Bissell, author of Extra Lives and Apostle)

"There is no one way to break into the AAA game industry. But, as Walt's hilarious and humble account shows, fumbling through it like a badly planned heist seems to work and makes for one hell of a read." (Janina Gavankar, musician, actress, “True Blood,” Far Cry 4, and lead of Star Wars Battlefront 2)

“Walt Williams finally brings to video games what Robert Evans' "The Kid Stays in the Picture" brought to film: A seminal book of vicious truths. Funny and unforgettable, Significant Zero unravels a highly secretive creative industry in ways PR professionals only have nightmares about." (Mitch Dyer, writer, Star Wars Battlefront II)

"Significant Zero demystifies the game publisher-developer relationship and puts a human face on the struggles of people working their way up from the bottom." (Dan Stapleton, executive editor, IGN)

"An entertaining and provocative look inside big-time video game development." (Kirkus)

"A dark, humorous look into video game publishing, essential for anyone interested in the gaming industry and an entertaining read." (Library Journal)

“Williams reveals the video-gaming industry in all its lucrative shine and questionable morality . . . . [and] provides a refreshing and realistic portrayal of succeeding at attaining a dream via an unforeseen career trajectory.” (Booklist)