Paperback
Edition details to follow
A new fantasy adventure
GAME OVER
Ein Abenteuer über das Zuhören
Ben is a star in his games. In real life, he misses more and more. Then a mysterious book draws him into a magical world where he becomes the adventurer himself.
Autumn 2027 · Baeschlin Verlag
The story
He knows how to play.
Listening is another story.
Ben Kellermann is twelve. As ShadowBlade99, he leads his clan through another raid. Here, he is needed. Here, he can win. He plays so intensely that he stops hearing the world around him. His mother waits for an answer. His friend Max waits for time together. Ben may be at home, but his mind is already back in the game.
Then a mysterious book takes him into the Whispering. Here, the magic and danger are not images on a screen. Ben meets the guardian Lira and the golden whisperling Fummel. Together they are drawn into an adventure as a grey veil spreads over this world.
As a grey veil threatens this world, Ben must attempt something harder than any boss fight: truly listening. GAME OVER: Ein Abenteuer über das Zuhören will be published in autumn 2027 by Baeschlin Verlag.
What to expect
- A boy who gives everything to gaming while missing more and more of real life
- A mysterious book that opens the way to a magical world
- An adventure with Lira and Fummel as a grey veil threatens their world
- Friendship that takes more than defeating an enemy together
GAME OVER
Read an excerpt
Advance excerpt · Chapter One: ShadowBlade99. German original.
Es war der beste Moment seines Lebens.
Zumindest fühlte es sich so an, und bei Ben Kellermann war das so ziemlich dasselbe.
Seine Finger flogen über die Tastatur, als hätten sie ein Eigenleben. Vor ihm auf dem Bildschirm tobte eine Schlacht, wie sie schöner nicht hätte sein können: Drachen am Himmel, Feuer über den Dächern, hunderte Spieler, die durcheinander-rannten und brüllten. Reines, herrliches Chaos. Und mittendrin, ruhig wie das Auge eines Sturms, stand er.
„SHADOW! Links von dir!“, kreischte eine Stimme in seinen Kopfhörern.
Ben riss seinen Charakter herum. Ein Gegner, direkt neben ihm, viel zu nah. Er rollte zur Seite, ließ die Klinge hochschnellen und traf.
KRITISCHER TREFFER!
4.782 SCHADEN
„BOAH!“, brüllte er und sprang fast vom Stuhl. „Habt ihr das gesehen? Habt ihr das GESEHEN? Das war so cracked!“
„Digga, du bist krank!“, rief DarkKnight_X.
„Absolut übertrieben“, stimmte PhoenixGirl zu, und man hörte, wie sie nebenbei Chips in sich hineinschaufelte.
Ben grinste so breit, dass seine Wangen wehtaten. Das war es. Genau dieses Gefühl. Diese eine Sekunde, in der alles passt, in der die Finger genau das Richtige tun, in der der Gegner fällt und die Zahlen aufblitzen und der ganze Chat ausrastet.
Autumn 2027 · Baeschlin Verlag
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Hardcover
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GAME OVER is scheduled for autumn 2027 at Baeschlin Verlag. You can read the current advance excerpt on this page now. Volume 2 will follow. Further publication details will be added here when confirmed.
Before you start reading
Do you need to be a gamer to understand Ben?
No. The opening gaming scene shows why Ben feels at home there: his team needs him and he is good at something. What follows involves friendship, family and a mysterious book. No gaming experience is needed.
Is Flüstern just another computer game?
No. A mysterious book takes Ben into a magical world. His encounters and choices matter differently there than in his familiar game. Lira and Fummel accompany him in this adventure.
When can I read the book?
GAME OVER is scheduled for autumn 2027 at Baeschlin Verlag. You can read the current advance excerpt on this page now. Volume 2 will follow. Further publication details will be added here when confirmed.
Is GAME OVER a story against computer games?
Ben loves gaming and is good at it. The conflict begins when little room remains for people and experiences outside the game. His magical adventure explores what he is missing and whom he can learn to hear again.
Does Ben simply receive lectures about screen time?
No. A mysterious book takes him into Flüstern, a magical world with dangers of its own. He adventures with Lira and Flüsterling Fummel. His relationships change through experiences and choices.
What age group is GAME OVER for?
Ben is twelve, but a character’s age is not an official reading-age recommendation. A confirmed publisher recommendation has not been published here yet. The advance excerpt offers a sense of the language and tone.
Can the book help with arguments about gaming?
It may open a conversation, but does not replace counselling. The parent-help page offers first steps and contacts in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The book makes no treatment claim.
Are the excerpt and shops already the final edition?
The excerpt comes from the supplied advance manuscript. Volume one is due in autumn 2027 with Baeschlin Verlag. ISBN, final formats and retailer links will be added once confirmed. Labelled shop placeholders cannot yet accept orders.
Help for parents
When gaming takes over everyday life
Your child keeps gaming, dinner gets cold and every conversation ends in an argument? Find practical first steps and advice services in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Help for parentsFrom the writing room
01
GAME OVER · 4 min
Ben kann gewinnen. Aber was verpasst er dabei?
Ben Kellermann kann etwas richtig gut. Als ShadowBlade99 führt er seinen Clan durch gefährliche Situationen, reagiert schnell und erlebt, dass andere auf ihn zählen. Das…
German original articleRead the article02
GAME OVER · 4 min
Das Flüstern: Eine magische Welt für ungehörte Worte
Jemand sagt etwas. Der andere nickt, aber die Worte kommen nicht wirklich an. Im Alltag ist dieser Moment schnell vorbei. GAME OVER stellt sich vor, dass das Überhörte…
German original articleRead the article03
GAME OVER · 4 min
Max wartet: Freundschaft ausserhalb des Spiels
Eine Freundschaft kann leiser werden, ohne dass es einen grossen Streit gibt. Einer fragt seltener, weil er die Antwort schon erwartet. Der andere merkt nicht, dass er…
German original articleRead the article