Publisher's Synopsis
An intelligent, well–crafted, thoroughly researched and wonderfully entertaining look at one of Japan’s oldest and most successful companies. A must–read for anyone interested in gaming industry and/or Japanese business in general. Among its many pleasures is the portrait Dan Sloan paints of Hiroshi Yamauchi, one of the world’s most enigmatic corporate leaders.— Robert Whiting, Author of You Gotta Have Wa and Tokyo Underworld The last decade was a period of tremendous change for a broad range of technologies affecting the industries of Japan and those across the globe. Playing to Wiin very interestingly details the story of one major industry and leading company, Nintendo, which made change a key to its even greater success.— Dr. Sachio Semmoto, Founder, Chairman and CEO EMOBILE Ltd. Daniel Sloan gives us a riveting tale told uncommonly well, peppered with insights from the front lines and anecdotes that make this a compelling analysis. This tale of creative adaption sits uneasily with pervasive images of woeful Japanese business management, helping us to peel back layers of misleading stereotypes. It is an also an interesting read of how Nintendo swept its customers off their feet.— Professor Jeff Kingston, Temple University Japan Author of Contemporary Japan: History, Politics and Social Change since the 1980s In a thorough, modern history of not only Nintendo, but of its rivals Sony and Microsoft, Dan Sloan offers a delightful read about a real life “strategy game” played by some of the most creative minds on earth. Here is one of the best tales I know of a Blue Ocean strategy that shocked the competition and enthralled a new—and still growing—class of global gamers.— John Beck, President, North Star Leadership Group Author of The Kid’s are Alright and Japan’s Business Renaissance Playing to Wiin is a fascinating account of one of the most challenging and interesting growth industries. Any top executive, new entrants, observers or customers interested in gaining a better grasp of the video games industry must read this book. It is engaging, insightful and strategic.— Martin Roll, Business & Brand Strategist, Martin Roll Company Author of global bestseller Asian Brand Strategy Playing to Wiin is a fast–paced and fascinating narrative of gaming history laced with anecdotes about the individuals who created and shaped a multi– billion dollar industry. Readers will not only find it a very informative history of video games and those who created them, but discover insights into Japanese culture and how it was likewise changed by the gaming phenomenon. Like a good video game, there is a depth to it one can discover through repeated reading.— Richard A. Moe, Professor, Faculty of Global Media Studies Komazawa University
