Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Andre LaMothe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0672323699 | ISBN-13: 978-0672323690 | Publication Date: June 29, 2002 | Edition: 2

Tricks of the Windows Game Programmin Gurus, 2E takes the reader through Win32 programming, covering all the major components of DirectX including DirectDraw, DirectSound, DirectInput (including Force Feedback), and DirectMusic. Andre teaches the reader 2D graphics and rasterization techniques. Finally, Andre provides the most intense coverage of game algorithms, multithreaded programming, artificial intelligence (including fuzzy logic, neural nets, and genetic algorithms), and physics modeling you have ever seen in a game book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Tricks of the Windows Game Programmin Gurus, 2E takes the reader through Win32 programming, covering all the major components of DirectX including DirectDraw, DirectSound, DirectInput (including Force Feedback), and DirectMusic. Andre teaches the reader 2D graphics and rasterization techniques. Finally, Andre provides the most intense coverage of game algorithms, multithreaded programming, artificial intelligence (including fuzzy logic, neural nets, and genetic algorithms), and physics modeling you have ever seen in a game book.

About the Author

Andrè LaMothe (a.k.a. Lord Necron) has been programming for over 24 years and holds degrees in mathematics, computer science, and electrical engineering. He has written numerous articles on the subjects of graphics, game programming, and artificial intelligence. He is the author of Tricks of the Game Programming Gurus, Sams Teach Yourself Game Programming in 21 Days, The Game Programming Starter Kit, The Black Art of 3D Game Programming, and Windows Game Programming for Dummies, all bestsellers. In addition, he coauthored Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar I and II. Mr. LaMothe has also taught at the University of Santa Cruz Extension Multimedia Department.

Last, but not least, Andrè is the founder and CEO of Xtreme Games LLC (www.xgames3d.com) and the Xtreme Games Developers Conference (www.xgdc.com). He can be reached at [e-mail].

Product Details

• Paperback: 1088 pages
• Publisher: Sams; 2 edition (June 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0672323699
• ISBN-13: 978-0672323690
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally it makes sense!, October 11, 2002

By 

"rbtroller" (Navarre, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I love this book. I've been trying to learn game programming for a couple of years now and until now have been beating my head against the wall. This book is like a cook book. It's not just a lot of theory and neat ideas thrown together, it really walks you through the process of creating a game. This book is for beginners and people like me who learn by doing. I can decipher the other books I have now that I've gone through this one. I look forward to Volume II, I can't wait.

The CD on the book also contains some good ebooks and other useful information. One of the ebooks is on the basic principles of 3D and some rendering algorithms the other is pretty good book about setting-up and using Direct 3D, however, it appears that it is DirectX 6 or 7, not version 8. The CD also contains trial software for game programming.

I recommend you know C/C++ before you try this book. I've only had a couple of semesters of programming in college and it seems to be enough to understand the book.

Thank you Andre LaMothe, someone needed to write this book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delving Into New Topics, July 13, 2002

By 

ann mu (austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

About time someone wrote a book to cover new topics like the new DirectX 8 Graphics in plain english and AI, among other things..

Lamothe's book helped me take my programming beyond the PC to do the coolest things. I have never seen anyone explain AI in a game book, his coverage is extremely deep, and very practical, eventhough his coverage of esoteric topics like NNs is small, his coverage of fuzzy logic has got me thinking of completely new ways to do things.

Great going, Andre Lamothe, keep things great books coming!! Shame on people who want to knock you for making money on a book. You deserve it, I for one would not have the attention span to write a 500+ page book.

Finally, whoever the immature boyz that wrote those useless reviews are, its obvious you haven't read the book or looked at the CD, on the CD there are 2 complete 3D ebooks on Direct3D, and general 3D, the general 3D book is Excellent, the Direct3D book is fair, but all in all no where will you find this much information, and this much value.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow man, July 7, 2002

By 

Ryan (Vista, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

First off, I would like to thank Andre for writing another "excellent" book. To the previous reviewer I'd like to say one simple thing. This book is not targetted towards experience game programmers, which you tried very hard appear that way. It is meant for newbie game programmers, like myself, that have a little programming experience. I don't know about you, but Andre is an excellent writer with more experience in the field that you will ever obtain in 2 lifetimes. I for one find his commentary amusing and funny, very much so breaking away from the boring page to page jargon most technical writers tend to give. It is true that he has many different books out on the subject, yet almost all of them contain new information on various subjects. This book, Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus Second Edition, is a remarkable book, and I'm only through half of it! Andre keeps the pages turning with excellent examples and only he could break a program up to make it this easy to understand. The information and software on the CD was worth my [money]. Next time you go to post a review on such an acclaimed programmer and writer, stop for a second and read the introduction, which can usually be found online, which clearly states this book is for those new to game programming and for the advanced (being used as a reference). Before I end my ranting, I'd just like to say thanks to Andre for writing this book.