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Game Design: Secrets of the Sages Guide
So you want to be a game programmer, design or create the next Myst, Final Fantasy, or Quake? Where do you begin? How do you get started, break into the industry, and then become a successful game designer or programmer? This book answers those questions and more. Over 100 industry specialists were interviewed and provided their individual views on these
-- Pre-Production -- Getting Started -- Learn to understand the different game genres, build storyboards and design documents, create outstanding characters, and design each type of game.
-- Production -- Creating Your Masterpiece -- Compose the individual pieces of programming, artwork, animation, artificial intelligence, and sound/music into the best game imaginable.
-- Post-Production -- Ensuring Your Success -- Testing the game and providing top-notch customer support are half the battle; creative PR and marketing complete the package.
-- How to Make It Happen -- Getting in the Front Door, and Staying There -- Gain valuable insight into the business side, including finding an agent or publisher, selling your product on the Web, or distributing as shareware.
-- Pre-Production -- Getting Started -- Learn to understand the different game genres, build storyboards and design documents, create outstanding characters, and design each type of game.
-- Production -- Creating Your Masterpiece -- Compose the individual pieces of programming, artwork, animation, artificial intelligence, and sound/music into the best game imaginable.
-- Post-Production -- Ensuring Your Success -- Testing the game and providing top-notch customer support are half the battle; creative PR and marketing complete the package.
-- How to Make It Happen -- Getting in the Front Door, and Staying There -- Gain valuable insight into the business side, including finding an agent or publisher, selling your product on the Web, or distributing as shareware.
- GenresGame Design
480 pages, Paperback
First published June 29, 1999
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 22, 2017
I started by reading more carefully but ended up skimming the last few chapters. Overall, the book is dated. Technology, the industry, and game design has advanced significantly over the last 20 years, and I'm not sure how relevant it is. It's an amusing read for nostalgia, though.
The bigger issue, however, is that since the book is survey of many people, most of the anecdotes lack depth. My sense is that if you ask anyone how to make a game, the first five minutes sound similar: for example, almost everyone said, "your game has to be fun." Although it may be true, it's not helpful and isn't usefully "timeless." More depth on illustrative examples or references would have been better.
The bigger issue, however, is that since the book is survey of many people, most of the anecdotes lack depth. My sense is that if you ask anyone how to make a game, the first five minutes sound similar: for example, almost everyone said, "your game has to be fun." Although it may be true, it's not helpful and isn't usefully "timeless." More depth on illustrative examples or references would have been better.
Displaying 1 of 1 review