Core Techniques and Algorithms in Game Programming

by Daniel Sanchez-Crespo Dalmau

Furnishes a valuable compilation of core techniques and algorithms used to code computer and video games, coverin such topics as code design, data structures, design patters, AI, scripting engines, network programming, 2D programming, 3D pipelines, and texture mapping and furnishing code samples in C++ and Open GL and DirectX APIs. Original. (Advanced)

Genres: Programming

700 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2003

Reviews

[Jovany Agathe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This text is an intriguing kind of beast. It gives broad overviews of almost every area that impinges on game engine design, but yet avoids a lot of low level detail in maths and code that one has come to expect - perhaps wrongly? The result is that you can read this book and speak at a very high level, very comprehensively, about myriad issues affecting 3D game engine design - wihout being able to write a line of code. Yes, one could be very cynical about this style of presentation but one has to start somewhere on the learning curve. Along this dimension therefore the book is an excellent conceptual text for students. It reminds me a little in passing of the excellent Turing Omnibus but without the same algebraic grittiness.
It is a book to read before reading, say, the two volume Watt and Policarpo or Eberly's book. There is no doubt that for the student who wants a clear overview of the major current issues in game design, without the whole panopoly of algorithms, this is the best text available.