Game Development Essentials: Game Project Management (Paperback)

by John Hight (Author), Jeannie Novak (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"This book contains the conceptual tools for a class which endeavors to turn out creative and effective managers and designers. (Finally, an in-depth, accurate section on history!) I find myself wishing that this text was available when I was hired for my first Project Manager/Art Director position in interactive media."

- Steven Herrnstadt (Associate Chair, Art and Design / Director, Integrated Studio Arts; Iowa State University)

Product Description
Game Development Essentials: Game Project Management is the only book on the market that offers a comprehensive introduction to game project management in an informal and accessible style, while concentrating on both theory and practice. This book offers an overview of the game project management process including: roles and responsibilities of team members; phases of production; concept development; testing, marketing; scheduling; and budgeting. The fast-growing game industry has fueled rapid upward movement of game production staff into the ranks of management. This book will train readers in the tools and techniques necessary to become effective team leaders.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning; 1 edition (March 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418015415
• ISBN-13: 978-1418015411
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #266,827 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Text, February 21, 2008

By	Ashraf A. Dawod "Ash" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm currently a student at the University of Baltimore, and our teacher required this book as our main text, its a very nice book. The information is laid out to make sense. Each chapter starts by telling you what the main points of the chapter is, so you can jump right into the section that you specifically want. Its also not a big book, its thin but filled with great information. Its also very light to read, it has pictures, and small paragraphs, and in each section there is one page paragraph or two written by those who are in the industry, giving advise from their real world experience about the particular topic the chapter is on.
I never thought I would ever say this, but my summary homework for this book is actually fun to do. =)
Enjoy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book for an introductory course on game development, December 27, 2007

By	Fernando Turi (Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is great for an introductory course on game development and has a lot of info about how a game was (it talks a lot about the past and how it was done bofore) and how it is now developed, from the early stages up to the final ones. It covers many aspects that a project manager needs to know that are specific for the gaming industry, so it is great to get the "big picture" of the gaming industry... but it lacks some depth in some aspects that are covered "very quick", that's why i substract a star. It also has a lot of nice "tips" from great game developers, that's a nice plus.

5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing, June 17, 2009

By	Jon H. (NC, USA) - See all my reviews

I bought this as a text book for a class. I've enjoyed reading it. I am about half way through. I have found it informative and to the point. There isn't to much main text in each chapter. A lot of the space is taken up by asides and interviews with industry pros. I appreciate this approach because those are the people you need to be listening to. It's better than just one author droning on; you get multiple views and anecdotes. This may sound silly but the abundance of illustrations is nice too. I like to be able to see visuals along with text and this book has plenty of screen shots and diagrams to give examples and aid in understanding.

As someone who hopes to start a game studio or at least rise through the ranks at one, knowing project management is a must. I have learned a lot from the first 6 chapters and feel I am already better prepared. The price is also a plus. I see that it's gone up a bit since I bought it but $40 is still pretty cheap for a textbook. Since I had to get this book for a class I didn't really look to see if there are any alternatives but I don't think you could go wrong with this.