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Beginning Game Programming
"Beginning Game Programming, Third Edition" shows budding game developers how to take their game ideas from concept to reality. Requiring only a basic understanding of the C++ language, this unique guide covers all the skills needed to create 2D and 3D games using code written in DirectX. Each element of a game is taught step-by-step, from learning how to create a simple Windows program, to using the key DirectX components to render 2D and 3D, to adding sound to your game. Using the skills taught within each chapter, readers will develop their own game library, which they can build upon for future game projects. And this updated, new edition includes end-of-chapter quizzes and projects to help you practice your new skills! At the end of the book, newfound skills will be put to use as you create your own complete, fully functional game.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 25, 2018
Jsjsjsisi
December 6, 2008
Jonathan Harbour, Beginning Game Programming (Thompson, 2005)
Beginning Game Programming has been kind of the holy grail of programming books for me for years. I can't even remember how it got such stature in my head, but over the last year or two it became one of the books at the very top of my wish list. When I found a copy for sale (relatively) cheap earlier this year, then, I jumped on it. Unfortunately, I had hyped it up so much in my head some disappointment was likely inevitable, but I tried to keep as even-keeled as possible when thinking about what to put in this review. After all, it's not a bad book, I've just read a number of intro-to-game-programming books that are better in at least one sense (comprehensiveness, readability, number/length/quality of code samples, or what have you).
One of the oddities of the book, and one which a number of novices will likely appreciate, is that the book focuses on C, rather than one of the more popular languages featured in books of this sort (C++, C#, or VB). For someone experienced in one of the other languages, that can be either a blessing or a curse, so take it into consideration. Aside from that, however, the main thing to note here is that the book dives right into game programming in C and DirectX (which version will depend on which version of the book you're reading; my copy is first edition, not second, and so the book's examples use an older version of DirectX than currently advertised). Code examples and discussions on the theory of game design start right up in the first chapter. Once again, this is something that some readers will find a strong point, while it will be a drawback to others. There's something to be said for some overview and nuts-and-bolts stuff (at least one of the book's reviewers complains about the lack of instructions for installing the software that comes with the book, for example), but if you kick things off from page one, you have room to cover more material in the same number of pages than you otherwise would. Can't call that a bad thing under any circumstances.
The book is also very small for this type of thing, only 337 pages, which limits the amount of space there is to cover material. Once again, something that could be seen by different readers as a good (not as imposing as doorstop-sized tomes) or a bad (not room to go into anything in depth) thing.
So, basically, it's up to you and what you're looking for in an intro-to-game-programming book. This could be it. It might not be. Check it out before shelling out the dough. ***
Beginning Game Programming has been kind of the holy grail of programming books for me for years. I can't even remember how it got such stature in my head, but over the last year or two it became one of the books at the very top of my wish list. When I found a copy for sale (relatively) cheap earlier this year, then, I jumped on it. Unfortunately, I had hyped it up so much in my head some disappointment was likely inevitable, but I tried to keep as even-keeled as possible when thinking about what to put in this review. After all, it's not a bad book, I've just read a number of intro-to-game-programming books that are better in at least one sense (comprehensiveness, readability, number/length/quality of code samples, or what have you).
One of the oddities of the book, and one which a number of novices will likely appreciate, is that the book focuses on C, rather than one of the more popular languages featured in books of this sort (C++, C#, or VB). For someone experienced in one of the other languages, that can be either a blessing or a curse, so take it into consideration. Aside from that, however, the main thing to note here is that the book dives right into game programming in C and DirectX (which version will depend on which version of the book you're reading; my copy is first edition, not second, and so the book's examples use an older version of DirectX than currently advertised). Code examples and discussions on the theory of game design start right up in the first chapter. Once again, this is something that some readers will find a strong point, while it will be a drawback to others. There's something to be said for some overview and nuts-and-bolts stuff (at least one of the book's reviewers complains about the lack of instructions for installing the software that comes with the book, for example), but if you kick things off from page one, you have room to cover more material in the same number of pages than you otherwise would. Can't call that a bad thing under any circumstances.
The book is also very small for this type of thing, only 337 pages, which limits the amount of space there is to cover material. Once again, something that could be seen by different readers as a good (not as imposing as doorstop-sized tomes) or a bad (not room to go into anything in depth) thing.
So, basically, it's up to you and what you're looking for in an intro-to-game-programming book. This could be it. It might not be. Check it out before shelling out the dough. ***
August 27, 2014
As a high school student, I not only enjoy video games but I really want to create them too. But go ahead and google the field and you'll find so much information to the subject you won't know where to begin. It's certainly something that requires a lot of patience and a lot of help to accomplish. This book is really helpful to someone who is just getting into game programming.
I had taken a year of computer programming, getting a 5 on my APCS exam. That was an exam about java. This book will require some knowledge of coding in general, but I also learned C++ while going through this book. The instructions were easy to understand for me, and wasn't too bad of a read either. It was a lot better than usual textbooks. But like any other textbook, it has exercises to help you along and review sections.
If you're interested in computer programming, especially video games, and want some help getting into the field, this is a book you should go out and get. Use it as a textbook or even just a reference book, it helps novice programmers a lot.
I had taken a year of computer programming, getting a 5 on my APCS exam. That was an exam about java. This book will require some knowledge of coding in general, but I also learned C++ while going through this book. The instructions were easy to understand for me, and wasn't too bad of a read either. It was a lot better than usual textbooks. But like any other textbook, it has exercises to help you along and review sections.
If you're interested in computer programming, especially video games, and want some help getting into the field, this is a book you should go out and get. Use it as a textbook or even just a reference book, it helps novice programmers a lot.
September 27, 2011
Great content, with good explanations of everything you're going through. However, there are enough errors and discrepancies in the 3rd edition to cause more than a few moments of confusion. Both the code & the contents need a good editorial pass.
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