Game Design Books

This book provides an introduction to some of the basic concepts
involved in using simulation as a part of computer applications and
games. Its content is both conceptual and practical. Conceptually, it
provides extended discussions of some of the theory that might be involved
in simulation design. The theory in part relates to literary and
sociological approaches to cultural criticism, so if you do not do much
reading in this area, you will find the language fairly strange. The
vocabulary goes beyond anything you'll ever find in a standard book on
programming (iconic logic, hermeneutics, phenomenology, and so on). On
a practical level the book provides several MS Studio projects that put
the concepts to use. In most of the chapters it provides extended
discussions of C++ and DirectX, and in this respect it is helpful to
beginning programmers. The last chapter includes a C# project that can
be used for testing games. The testing theory is supported by software
included with SmartDraw.

One of the games included with the book is called Gold Finder. It is a
good start if you want to create a 3-D game. It is complete, so you
can play it and then start modifying it. It includes a 3-D model of a
man. You control the model as it walks around a world and searches for
gold. The book provides a 2-D simulation that shows how a big
retail store can wipe out local economies. If you do not like criticism
of the way corporations do this sort of thing, then you will probably
not like this chapter. The authors don't try to force anything on you,
however. The book also includes a 2-D simulation of a forest fire. The
best thing to do is start with these projects and remake them for
yourself. The authors try to discuss the software in both theoretical
and practical terms so that you can work with it to conceptualize what
you are doing while programming. There are software packages you can
buy to do this sort of thing, but through this approach, you get a chance
to build programs from scratch using Direct X , C++, and C#.

Key words: Obscure, vague and unfocused.

Even simple ideas and concepts are presented in an unfocused, hand-waving style. The (vague) signal has a hard time penetrating the noise.

The few things the authors have to say has already been said before and better by other authors.

This is the guy who taught LaMothe at California State University, San Jose.
The book is about 608 pages thick (small size). For beginners, this is the perfect introduction.The author published the source code utilized in the book as Open Source.
So anyone can download it from his website for free.
Getting back to the book:
Negatives: Code is sprinkled with small bits of MFC and OpenGL.(instead of the industry standard Direct X).
Positives: Rudy Rucker does a better job of teaching game programming inside of the c/c++ framework.
Read a good c++ book first,then read (SE&CG).
After that you can read LaMothe: Game Programming for dummies.
This book covers object oriented programming,2d,3d techniques,UML,physics.
This is cgp101: computer game programming(intro to game programming).
All of the programs run inside of a MFC created window(frameset). But if you read the book,cover to cover, you will have the skills-set to "break out of this window".
I couldn't get the picture out of my mind during the whole time I was reviewing this book of thinking back to a past Star Wars episode when Luke was fighting Darth Vader with the "lightening swords". And Luke is trying his best to kick Darth arse. And Darth looks at Luke and says: "Give up Luke, you are but a learner, but I am the Masta".
If you really want to "get it", buy the book.

This book is written by a person who has no idea in which direction the game industry has been heading in the last 8 to 10 years. It is a ridiculous attempt at writing a book on a subject the author is singularly inept.

The traditional practices of Software Engineering are usefull in game development but you should take a look at some articles at www.gamasutra.com written by REAL game developers to understand the amazing amount of misinformation in this book.

In my opinion it is impossible today (with current technology in mind) to write a book about game development without considering the usage of DirectX which is the most fequently used development platform. The author has based his work on MFC (when was the last time you saw that in a game???) and a miniscule amount of work on OpenGL, which is impossible to understand.

I believe the author should do a lot more reading about game development before he writes about it and actually learn what on earth is going on today in the world!!

There were [only] 3 centerpieces that I found to be "ok". Overall, this book was stodgy and unimaginative. The photos lacked charm. No disrespect to senior citizens, but the centerpieces reminded me of something an elderly woman would make. If you appreciate conventional methods of creativity, then this book is for you. But if you are looking for unique inspiration or some Preston Bailey~type action, don't waste your time buying this book. Check it out at the library. The End.

The summary and review were not helpful at all and misleading. As a food service professional, I am always looking for new ideas for tablescapes for my banquet facility. The book was impractical and the centerpieces were uninspiring.

I found this book to be very easy to follow with great color picture samples. The instructions are easy to follow.
You will feel great once you complete the project and it actually looks like the picture!
Wonderfully well done!

Why do we need a book of trivia about the host, designers and, I'm assuming, carpenters on a home improvement/reality/pseudo-game show? Is this really necessary?
Now, I'll be the first to admit that I've been watching Trading Spaces (and the myriad of knock-offs) for far longer than I ought to, but I wouldn't wish a handy, coffee table book of "fun facts" on my worst enemy. It's fluff, people! It's grotesque, opportunistic marketing! C'mon! As if Vern, Hildy or Frank need more publicity! They're interior designers, not N'SYNC! Does anybody really need fun facts about interior design? How "fun" can they be, anyway? I'm sorry, but "Frank used a coffee can, stipple glaze and a guitar string to create this effect in the Johnson's living room" is mildly interesting, but certainly not "fun".
I don't know if this is the same book, but I saw one (yes, that means that there are several of these books!) featuring POSTERS of your fave designers a la Teen Beat! Yep, that's what I need in my garage: A nice big poster of Ty friggin' Pennington!
Ooh, I feel a little sick.

This is fun, really fun. I got this for Christmas, and now I'm buying more copies as favors for our next Sat. nite Trading Spaces party. Our friends are obsessed with this show, and this book has lots of factoids I never knew about the show and the cast. This also is an amazing buy. If you love the Trading Spaces show, you have to buy this.

I was very disapointed when i bought this book, i was expecting to make a lot of cool things, i did not find one item that i was interested in making. They show a lot of decorating on flower pots, picture frames, watering cans, lamps and boxes. The only idea i got from this book was when they cut out different pictures and decorated the dresser's drawers with a different picture from a magazine. It had a really cool effect look to it. Other than that, i am sorry that i ever purchased this book, Do not waste your money !! I will be selling it on ebay very soon !

great step by step instructions with text and pictures, lots of ideas - every two page spread is another craft. Here are a few: mini window box, tropical fish bottles, wooden hooks, toy box, glass trinket box, clock, frame. They're fun and could definitely be done in a day or two (including drying time)

I would say the book is oriented towards the graphic artist who have already been
experimenting and are familiar with Maya 3D, and incorporating imagery produced in that program into their overall design projects. What's not apparently clear is what level of accomplishment the enthusiast or professional should be in regards to their respective skillsets to effectively utilize the techniques described in the book effectively. If you're on the more steeper end of the learning curve, you'll need your previous editions of beginner Maya books as a side reference. There are some neat techniques in the book, however, that can help to add the 3D CG look and feel to whatever you already produce through your photography, Photoshop & Illustrator graphic work. In this respect, this book is great.

A good blend of new monsters and background information for one of Palladium's most promising pieces of real estate. A little heavy on personalities and light on adventures, but still worthwhile.

this book is for the younge ones but some of the pictures are farly good and some eveny go past what you saw on in the movie i gave it a 3 because it is a good coloring book but some of the images are not vary accuret such as darth maul but still a good book besides that!

I think this book is a bit too short. I really like Blue Source's work, especially the album covers, but there are several really good covers I miss from this book (that's why 3 stars). Beside that it's worth the money, if you like Blue Source's work go ahead and buy it.

I am quite torn on this book. It has some good ideas, and the project sections in the beginning of the book are very complete. However, the second half of the book is a different story. As you are rushed through the carvings, critical details and views are left out, some of the directions become unclear and confusing due to a poor flow in writing and bad use of verbiage, and the authors even contradict themselves on their woodcarving techniques. If you are a beginning woodcarver, be wary, you might end up a bit lost. Even though the book is a bit lacking, it may still be worth it as a reference book if you are interested in nautical carving.