In Beta_
By Prescott Harvey
2020
Inkshares, Inc.
Oakland CA
94607
ISBN 978-1-947848-50-4
(Paperback)
379 pages
This book is a work of fiction that is set in 1993 where the two main characters, Jay and Colin are high school friends. They’re in their Senior year and are about to graduate when they happen to stumble upon a floppy disk that will change them forever.
These two friends were considered “underachievers”, but are extensive gamers and computer geeks. The floppy disk they found inside a gamers magazine was a game named “The Build”. This game was an exact simulation of their very own small Oregon town named Bickleton.
**Without mentioning any spoilers** Jay and Colin become the heroes of this story. They come of age and rescue the town from utter destruction. The Build game was perpetrated by one guy from Bickleton High School named Hal.
There are many twists and turns and scenarios of “geeks vs. jocks” bullying, there’s a prom and some police, and plenty of 1990’s nostalgia peppered throughout the story. This helps to levitate and pull the story; I found myself smiling a lot. The references were cute and funny. Some book reviewers found a philosophical bent, “what is the meaning of life” kind of thing, but I personally found it entertaining with characters that drove the story, but otherwise not too deep. I found some scenarios slightly lengthy, but for those with no gaming expertise, it made sense.
Overall, In Beta_ was interesting and had great usage of pop references that readers could relate to. The gaming references are also well thought out with relatable subject matter for those that do/did game.
Mr. Harvey did a great job with this novel and the story, he engaged me and made me think as I tried to guess what might happen next to his characters and this little town of Bickleton.
I’m giving this 4 Stars for the story, idea, and references, One less star for a small hinge of close to”nearing cliche” in some spots.
The author Prescott Harvey is a copywriter who has extensively contributed to gaming brands like Osmo, Crackdown 3, EA Motive Studios, and Shadow of War. In 2010 Harvey wrote The World of Warcraft Guide To Winning at Life; a Chronicle Books publisher.
Mr. Harvey can be found playing Xbox Sea of Thieves. I am hoping that he continues to write as I am a non-gamer and I found his writing verging into the Sci-Fi community, and gaming quite refreshing.
*I received this book complimentary for a real and true book review.
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