The Player of Games
by Iain Banks
The Player of Games is a science fiction novel by Iain M. Banks, published by Macmillan in London in 1988 as the second Culture book. A bored master game player is sent to the Empire of Azad, where an elaborate game decides power and rank.
- Editions tracked
- 1
- First edition
- Macmillan, 1988
- First published
- Macmillan, London, 1988
- Series
- Culture series
The first edition of The Player of Games by Iain Banks was published in London by Macmillan in 1988. We track 1 edition, with the points that separate the first printing from later ones.
Spot the first edition: Dust jacket, front flap: Printed price on the front flap: £11.95 net (first issue jacket) Full identification guide
Which edition do you have?
First edition
Awards, adaptations and setting
Awards and honours
Read next
- Comes after
- Consider Phlebas
- Followed by
- Use of Weapons
In print
- Editions recorded
- 23 on Open Library, 13 in English
- Wikipedia
- Articles in 12 languages
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
More by Iain Banks
CollectorsNot sure which edition you have, or want to tell other collectors about your copy?
Ask a question
Write a review
Read it or own it? Share what The Player of Games is like to read or collect.
Know what you are looking at
How to Identify a First Edition
To identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
Read the guide →6 min readBook Condition Grading: Fine to Poor Explained
Book condition grading uses a six-step trade scale: Fine, Near Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Collectors grade the …
Read the guide →7 min readDust Jackets Explained: Why the Jacket Drives a Book's Value
For most books published since the 1920s, the original dust jacket carries a large share of the value, often most …
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of The Player of Games?
The first edition of The Player of Games by Iain Banks was published in London by Macmillan in 1988.
How many editions of The Player of Games are there?
We track 1 edition of The Player of Games, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Did The Player of Games win any awards?
Yes: The Player of Games won the Tähtivaeltaja Award (1995), according to Wikidata.
What should I read after The Player of Games?
In order, it follows Consider Phlebas and it is followed by Use of Weapons, according to Wikidata.
Where these facts come from
- The Player of Games, Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- The Player of Games (Q467139), Wikidata (wikidata.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 19 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.