The game makers

The Game Makers: The Story of Parker Brothers, from Tiddledy Winks to Trivial Pursuit was published in 2004 by the Harvard Business School Press. Written by Philip Orbanes, a former Parker Brothers executive and long-time game industry historian, the book provides a comprehensive corporate history of one of the most influential toy companies in American history. It traces the organization's growth from a small family operation in Salem, Massachusetts, to its transformation into a global cultural phenomenon responsible for iconic titles like Monopoly, Risk, and Clue.

Orbanes utilized his intimate knowledge of the company’s internal archives and his experience within the industry to document the strategic decisions and creative processes that defined twentieth-century tabletop gaming. The narrative focuses on the evolution of game mechanics and the business maneuvers behind the scenes of the toy industry. Upon its release, the book was well-received by critics and industry analysts for offering a scholarly yet accessible look at how a manufacturer successfully navigated shifts in consumer trends and technological advancements over the course of a century.