Customer Reviews

Game Design: The Art and Business of Creating Games (Prima Tech's Game Development)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a level designer for a California based startup, one of the few things that stands out in my mind as being an important step towards realising the scope of game development was reading this book.

This book doesn't give tutorials for map design, code snips, or instructions for texture creation, as well it shouldn't - that information quickly becomes dated with emerging technological trends. What this book DOES do (and masterfully), is to explain the methodology and theory behind the design of the game itself, from original concepts to final marketing and publishing. This is 10 times as valuable as the tutorials, snips, and instructions mentioned above could ever be.

One underlying theory runs through the entire book - namely, the game has to be fun. Using many useful examples through gaming history, the author provides crystal clear explanation, caveats, and suggestions. Upon reading this you step away with two things: the ideas behind implementing your own brand of fun in a game you may be creating, and respect for the amount of work that designs must go through for even the most 'simple' (at least, to the casual player's view) steps during the creation, development, and publishing of their game.

Ultimately, I would definently recommend this book as required reading to anyone in the industry, and would suggest buying a copy if you are a die-hard fan who is curious as to how games are created.

5 stars for an excellent guide, which, while is contains information that should be obvious, apparently isn't THAT obvious, judging by a few of the games that have been released recently. Definently one of the ultimate desk reference guides to game design and business - it's great to have all this information in one place at easy reach.

Written by a seasoned industry veteran (Bob Bates, Legend Entertainment, creators of Unreal 2), this book is a definite must for any current game designer or someone seeking to enter the business.

It covers every aspect of the game design process, including how to get your idea published and even ways to get into the business yourself.

In fact, after reading this book, I've secured a potential job as a game developer, making a port of a PC game to the Xbox console.

This will supply you with the knowledge needed to be successful in the game design industry, and I believe it is a book that every shelf needs.

5 stars go out to this essential book. It is absolutely up-to-date, and will provide you with the power to become a better game designer.

This book preaches about how to make a clone of an action game without really explaining the principles behind why a good game is good or the art of computer game design.

I found that it often contradicted Game Design Theory & Practice by Richard Rouse which is a much better book as it explains the principles of design with support from many experts rather than just saying that all games should be done a certain way.

Bates' book is quick and easy to read but not inspiring or thought provoking. Most of it was just common sense.

If you actually do game design for a living or are a serious hobbist, you'll probably know most of what's in this book. As such, this is more for those of us who like to "read around the subject" or for the total newbie game designer.

I found it broad and deep and most of all, up-to-date but there isn't anything particularly insightful here, unless game design is totally new to you.

I've also read "Game Design: Theory and Practice" by Richard Rouse which suffers mainly from being dated, although you could call it "classic". I'd place Bate's book over Rouse's for this reason alone but both are probably worth reading.

Game Design: The Art & Business of Creating Games is a wonderful text. I managed to read the entire book in only two days. Bob Bates manages to explain the hectic world of computer game design in a concise and friendly manner. Highly detailed yet written in lay man terms, Game Design offers just the right information to spark new ideas and more importantly, offer hope to aspiring new game designers. Even if you only wish to create games for yourself and your friends, Bob Bates tells you how you could possibly break into the business. He even offers helpful contacts in the form of websites for review. All in all, Game Design is a great book to begin research into this business field.

Everything You Want to Know About Game Design... but didn't know who to ask. Quite simply, there is no better primer on the subject of the interactive games business than Bob Bates' newest book, 'Game Design'. Especially useful for those who are considering entering the gaming industry, this book walks you through all aspects of the game making process - from initial conceptualizing through to publishing and media relations. The book is also useful for industry veterans who would like to know more about the overall process they play a pivotal role in. Not a heavily-worded account, Bates keeps true to his 'less is more' philosophy, by keeping 'Game Design' short on pages, but definitely not short on quality. This book should be REQUIRED reading at academic institutions where digital media are taught.

Ok, if you have ever designed a game for longer than 6 months, most of the book will be obvious. If you have NEVER done anything with games, the book will let you know of pitfalls to expect and things to do correctly. Overall though, it is STILL a great book for everybody to read. It's well-written, has lots of graphics, pics, and other user-friendly tidbits of knowledge. It does lean heavily on looking at design and management of a few key games and fails to mention ANYTHING about web-based games (i.e. games played strictly through a browser).
A good book nonetheless. Enjoy it and give it to your colleagues to read and learn :>!

Bob Bates has covered all the bases. The book illustrates many facets of the game design business... from descriptions of the different genres, to illustrations of what to do (and NOT do), to an explanation of what the various roles and responsibilities are of the people involved in game production. If you are at all interested in getting into the business of game development at any level, this book is a good read. It is light and understandable for people of all skills and disciplines. Well done, Bob.

First of all, this book is nice to read to get a general picture of the process of making computer games. But, as others have already mentioned, it is very superficial and most of the content is just common sense. Not much here for anyone not completely new to the business.
But the biggest problem is that while Bob talks about game theory and business in a very shallow way (great for beginners), he support his theories with examples from big game companies (where nobody is a beginner anyway).

This book is great. A true "must have" for any serious developer. Bob's extensive experience in the industry shows through.