Make Amazing Games in Minutes (Game Development Series) (Paperback)

by Jason Darby (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Create Computer Games- No Programming Required!

Many game enthusiasts have aspirations to create their own games but don't know where to start. Make Amazing Games in Minutes introduces the game creation process to the aspiring game developer with no experience or programming ability. Taking the reader step-by-step through the various stages of developing a game and using the popular drag and drop game creation software included on the CD-ROM, the reader can build his very own games. Using the tutorials and step-by-step methods, the reader will complete a fully playable retro game, as well as platform, bat & ball, and side-scrolling shoot-em up games. Other chapters cover more complex game features such as adding effects and scoreboards, porting the game onto the Web, and installation script building. This must-have book is the essential resource for anyone interested in learning game creation and the retro game style.

KEY FEATURES: * Includes a companion CD-ROM with a trial version of TGF2 (The Games Factory 2), Install Creator, and Patch Maker * Provides users with complete instructions to build four different games, including: bat & ball, side-scrolling shoot-em up, platform, and retro * Teaches how to create, test, and distribute your own amazing games * Opens the door to more complicated languages by teaching common programming terms and concepts

ON THE CD-ROM The companion CD-ROM contains everything you need to make all of the games included in this book. A number of additional applications are also included to ensure completion of the chapters on distribution and packaging.

* DEMOS - The Games Factory 2. * FIGURES: Contains all of the figures from the book, organized in folders by chapter

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS PC; Windows 95 or higher; Pentium processor; 32MB or more of available RAM (64MB RAM recommended; minimum system requirements for host OS); 60MB of hard disk space free; CD-ROM drive; Sound Blaster or compatible sound card (optional, but recommended); SVGA or better; mouse device. See the appendix for specific software requirements.

About the Author
Jason Darby (Bromsgrove, UK) has been working in the IT industry for over a decade. He is the author of numerous articles in game creation and design, both published on the Internet and also appearing in a number of leading PC magazines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Charles River Media; 1 edition (October 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584504072
• ISBN-13: 978-1584504078
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #412,120 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This item is part of The Charles River Media Game Development Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Create Games with a Click of the Mouse!!!, April 10, 2006

By	Paul Boland (Waterford, Ireland.) - See all my reviews

I bought this book because I am interested in game development. This book looks at creating games with Clickteams fortcoming software development tool, The Games Factory 2 and MultiMedia Fusion 2. There is a demo of the software supplied on the CD that comes with the book so you don't have to wait for the software to ship (which it will soon) before you can follow the demos.

The book takes you through the creation of a number of games, from simple space invaders to complex platform games, all with a click of the mouse. Yes, you read that right, TGF 2 allows you to create any game in any genre using nothing but the mouse!! There is no complex code to write, no variables to set up, no arrays to initialise... If you can pick an option from a popup menu, you can create any games and applications you want.

The book takes you through the creation of these games in an easy to follow step by step format and the chapters cover everything from a look at TGF 2's interface to how to code your first game. There is also a discussion on gaming in general which will point you in the right direction and show you the Do's and Don't's.

A very easy to read book which is packed to bursting with information on game creation. And not a single line of coding in sight (as long as you don't count the expressions for performing maths ;) ).

Want to make games?
Don't want to learn code?
BUY THIS BOOK NOW!!!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for learning how to make video games, October 16, 2006

By	J. Vance "Video game maker" (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jason Darby has written a wonderful book to compliment The Games Factory 2 software program and to teach people the basics of video game design and development.

This book comes with a trial version of The Games Factory 2 so you do not need to purchase anything else to get started today. Its a great way to find out if you have what it takes to develop video games without a large investment in various software.

When you complete the various projects included in the book you will have a firm grasp of software development and be on your way to becoming a professional video game designer and programmer.

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars didn't get much use, July 20, 2008

By	Lisa (Georgia) - See all my reviews

Unfortunately, I don't really know if this book is a good book or not. My son went off to tech camp last year to learn how to make video games. He came back all excited about his new found skills and continued to make games at home,so I bought him this book for Christmas. I don't even think he did more than scan through it and decide it was just too busy to take the time to read (he is a male and it was instructions). I definitely think it would be geared for a much older crowd (he was a very advanced 12yr old). Sorry I can't be more helpful than that.