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

by Andre LaMothe (Author) "Before you can begin design work on a game, you must have a general idea of what the game is about, which genre it fits..." (more)
Key Phrases: player empathy, tech lead, game design document, Door Example, Sierra On-Line Inc, Electronic Arts Inc (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Have you ever wondered how a game goes from being a concept to being an actual product? Do you want to know what steps you need to take get your game on the shelf next to Baldur's Gate(tm) II and MechWarrior(tm)4? Well, Game Design: The Art and Business of Creating Games will answer these questions and more! It will tell you how to make your dreams of designing a game into reality. Offering advice and insight on everything from how to get a foot in the door to what you do once inside, this is a true inside scoop on the industry. You'll find out how to license a game, settle contract issues, and demonstrate the game to prospective companies. This is a comprehensive resource for turning game design into a career.

About the Author
Bob Bates began his game writing career at Infocom in 1985. Since then he has writeen, co-designed, or production over 25 games that have garnered more than 30 industry awards. The most notable of those awards is the CGW 1993 Adventure Game of the Year Award for Eric the Unready. A co-founder of Legend Entertainment in 1989, he now serves as joint Studio Head at Legend, a division of Infogrames, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 1 edition (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761531653
• ISBN-13: 978-0761531654
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #303,892 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This item is part of The Course PTR Game Development Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading, June 12, 2001

By	Andrew Rohs "[e-mail]" (Cincinnati, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

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.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Vital Tool for the Modern Game Designer, September 7, 2001

By	Ryan Shwayder "shwayder" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews

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.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lightweight and narrow, December 1, 2002

By A Customer

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.