Game Design for Teens (Premier Press Game Development) (Paperback)

by Les Pardew (Author), Scott Pugh (Author), Eric Nunamaker (Author), Brent L. Iverson (Author), Ross Wolfley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"Game Design for Teens" covers the basics for developing a game idea and successfully converting that idea into a complete game. A natural addition to the "for Teens" line of books, it is a true beginner's guide to the game design process and deals specifically with creating a game design document. You will learn how to create a quality game design document appropriate for submission to a publisher, developer, or college professor. It explores the components of a game design document, how to create them, who creates them, and why each is important. This book also examines game design theory as it applies to different game genres.

The third installment in the popular line of "For Teens" books.

Covers the complete game design process from idea, to design document, development of the game.

Provides samples from real game design documents.

Helps readers develop the skills they need to express their game ideas clearly and thoroughly.

Examines game design theory as it applies to the different game genres.

About the Author
Ross S. Wolfley has over 15 years of management, legal, marketing and high technology experience. Following 8 years as an USAF/NATO instructor pilot and law school, Ross began his business career with WordPerfect Corporation. He later served as as Director of PC Marketing. He has spent several years consulting with small businesses helping to develop successful business strategies, raise money, and get back into reporting compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of 1998 was spent in Liberia, as he successfully negotiated to secure mining rights for an international mining company. Most recently, Ross served as President/COO for the US subsidiary of topjobs.net. He graduated from J. Reuben Clark Law School (BYU) with a Juris Doctor and received a BS in Psychology from Brigham Young University. Ross has been involved in the development of the following titles: Kublox – Online PC, Combat Medic – PC and Online, Motocross Mania 2 – PSX, XS Junior League Dodge Ball – PSX, Ford Truck Mania - PSX

Eric has been in audio/sound production for game development for more than 10 years. A musician himself, he performs with various groups, and is currently a member of the Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band. As Audio Director, he oversees all audio requirements for Alpine Studios projects, from management to production. Eric graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s in Music Education as well as a Certificate in computer programming from Control Data Institute. He has supervised several sound teams in the audio industry, as well as managing outside contracting and recording production. He has created music for many major games systems including PSX, PS2, Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, PC/Online, Gameboy, SNES/Genesis.

Les Pardew is a video game and entertainment industry veteran with 15 years of experience. His work in the industry includes more than 100 video game titles. He currently serves as president of Alpine Studios, which he founded with Ross Wolfley in the fall of 2000. He was also the founder of Saffire, one of the industry’s preeminent game developers. In 1995, Saffire was named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of America’s hottest new companies and in 1999, it was 32nd on the Utah 100 list. Les' career began in video games in 1987 doing animation for Magic Johnson Fast Break Basketball for the Commodore 64. He went on to create art for dozens of major games including Star Wars, Wrestle Mania, NCAA Basketball, Stanley Cup Hockey, Jack Nicholas Golf. He has overseen and participated in the development of many games for the biggest companies in the video game industry, some of which include: NINTENDO OF AMERICA – Nestor’s Funky Bowling – Virtual Boy, James Bond 007 – Game Boy, ELECTRONIC ARTS – Cyber Tiger Woods Golf N64, ACCOLADE – Hardball 95 – Genesis

Brent L. Iverson received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1982 and currently teaches at University of Texas, Austin. He is a distinguished teacher and respected researcher. Brent's research group has developed methods for recombinant antibody or enzyme cloning and has directed its evolution. In collaboration with the Georgiou group he pioneered a novel E. coli surface expression/FACS selection technology that has allowed the group to enhance antibody affinity.

Scott Pugh has been programming games for over 17 years and has developed software tools for getting artwork, models, and motion into the games. As Alpine Studio's lead programmer, Scott’s experience in game development has brought strength, stability and wisdom to the company's development efforts. He has developed numerous game titles including HardBall!, Mickey's Colors & Shapes, Game Boy Golf, WWF Wrestlemania, WWF War Zone, WWF Attitude, Space Jam, and Ford Truck Mania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 1 edition (September 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592004962
• ISBN-13: 978-1592004966
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #175,411 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Place to Start, January 11, 2007

By	Mirl (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

I'm not a game design expert. I'm not in the gaming industry at all, except as a consumer. My son, on the other hand, has expressed a desire to "play test games" as a career. I thought, okay, let's check it out.

Game Design for Teens is an introduction to the game design world (a complex, very technical realm), with the purpose of creating a game design document.

Good: This book is written to the level of its intended audience.
Good: It includes many good/relevant graphics.
Good: Not designed to be a science book.
Good: Keeps to the purpose/focus of the book with many good/relevant anecdotes.

Other: It is a bit verbose/complex at times.

Impressions: Good for young people interested in game design/development.

Sincerely,

JMS

12 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Table of Contents, March 7, 2005

By	W. Bull "inre-" (Escondido, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

From the publisher's Web site.

Features
#The third installment in the popular line of For Teens books.

#Covers the complete game design process, from idea, to design document, to development of the game.

#Provides samples from real game design documents.

#Helps readers develop the skills they need to express their game ideas clearly and thoroughly.

#Examines game design theory as it applies to the different game genres.


Table of Contents
1. What is Game Design?
2. What is a Game Designer?
3. The Design Document
4. The Game Idea
5. Creating the High Concept
6. Visualizing the Game
7. Designing Audio
8. Game Flow
9. Interface Design
10. Technical Design
11. Schedules and Budgets
12. Special Considerations
Appendix A: Design Document

2 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too general, January 9, 2006

By	Mark Twain "Mark" - See all my reviews

This book is far too general to be useful to anyone. There are far better books that address this topic.