Game Programming Starter Kit 4.0

Brand: Pearson Software

Platform : Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 95, Windows NT

18 ratings

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Product description

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Make your game ideas a reality with this comprehensive programming toolkit that includes Visual C++ compiler, Genesis 3-D engine and level editor, DirectX 7.0 SDK development library, and Shadow Realm 3-D game animator. Discover the secrets of the experts with the included developer's guide by gaming guru Marc Saltzman. Everything you need to program your own games is included!

Product details

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Yes
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.25 x 9 x 1.75 inches; 2.05 Pounds
Item model number ‏ : ‎ 1575954133
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ June 13, 2000
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Pearson Software
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00004U2IF

Best Sellers Rank: #29,504 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
- #129 in Software Development Utilities
- #473 in Programming Training & Tutorials

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Karen A. Connell

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2015

Verified Purchase

My grandson is so excited

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AdaManda

Nice Try... but

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2001

Ah... the buffet line is open! While obviously not designed to be an authority or an end all in any of the subjects covered, this package offers a plethora of products within its standard size yellow box. The Game Programming Starter Kit version 4.0 is like one of those Chinese gift boxes where you just keep finding one gift inside of another, inside of another, and so on. Henceforth, this product suffers from a common ying and yang effect usually seen when something tries to be everything to everyone.
The Ying
For Programmers, the gentle Giant from Redmond has allowed a version of its MS Visual C++ 6.0 to be included in the Starter Kit. The Introductory Edition of Visual C++ is a nice way to gauge if programming is really up your alley. Most, but not all features, in this version are functional; so a person can easily pick up a C++ textbook and start honing their skills. If you don't happen to have a textbook, the Digital Resource Library, included on the CD's, handily offers an eBook version of SAMS "Teach Yourself Visual C++ 6.0 in 21 Days". Microsoft has also granted permission to have its' DirectX 7.0 Software Development Kit included in this bundle. Of course, if you don't have a book explaining DirectX, the kind people at Macmillan have also included an eBook version of SAMS "Teach Yourself DirectX 7 in 24 hours" to get you up to par.
If being a Game Designer is more up your alley, Macmillan software has included the 2nd Edition of Marc Saltzman's book "Game Design: Secrets of the Sages". This title offers a wide scope of information on various subjects regarding game development issues, such as: character design, level design, programming, AI, art, animation, sound FX, music, testing, marketing, web site design, and much, much more. What sets this book apart is the dozens of interviews with the top respected game designers, so the information and opinions represented are ones to take note of. While not an extremely in depth book, it covers a lot of information, in an extremely easy to read format, accessible by all levels of readers.
The Yang
Not to leave Level Designers out, The Programming Starter Kit comes with a copy of the Genesis 3D Software Development Kit, version 1.1. The game engine supports the latest drivers and also provides a level editor for those who are ready to test their mettle. Featuring up to date special effects, the Genesis 3D engine allows users to get their feet wet and hone their skills at level design. Note: It should be pointed out that the Genesis 3D engine has been available for FREE on the net for some time. Level Designers may also want to check the net for other FREE editors that are available which happen to be more powerful and maybe better documented than the one included in this bundle.
The last thing I found inside the box was a shareware copy of the Shadow Realm Model Animator 3D animation software. This tool allows users to create skeletal structures, import 3D mesh, animate their models and export files. This program is not extremely powerful, nor user friendly, in fact I would say that it suffers the most out of any in the bundle. But in keeping with the "One for All" mentality, the publisher has included it for anyone who is beginning in the 3D modeling world and can't afford a "real" package.
Balance
Perhaps the biggest mishap in marketing this package is not that the documentation is a bit lacking, but merely that the title of the product is misleading. If you really want to start learning some game programming skills, this software bundle will probably leave you a bit wanting. If the title had been "The Game Developers Starter Kit", one would not expect it to be too thorough on the programming end. Alas, the product does have a meritable niche: Newbies. The Game Programming Starter Kit version 4.0 has a nice price point and therefore makes a great gift for anyone who is contemplating entering the game development industry. It is recommended strictly for newbies who want to experience a small mouthful of what this great industry is all about. If that doesn't fit your description, then pass the plate to someone else.

20 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Not for serious programmers

Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2001

If you're a programming student (like me) and you want to make games, DO NOT get this, it will be a waste of money.
Get a good compiler (one that makes .exe files, not just the learning version) in whichever platform you are familiar with, and spend your money buying books to learn advanced programming techniques.
I made my own Shareware game in Microsoft Visual Basic Professional, after one semester of a VB class, and another half a semester of a more advanced VB class. I also did a text game in C using the free GNU compiler. Either of those programs is a hundred times better than this package. There is hardly any documentation for this software, and I could do better 3D graphics and animation with my copies of Bryce 4 and Paint Shop Pro 6!

6 people found this helpful

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Jason Taylor

Some usable material, but box doesn't give full info.

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2001

I bought this because the ShadowRealm character assembler costs $45 online by itself, so I figured I was getting a good deal - basically a "free" book and other software along with a ShadowRealm license. I was wrong!!
The publishers fail to mention that they've included the shareware version of the product, which doesn't even export files in a format usable by the Genesis SDK!
Further, the Genesis SDK is available online for free, and also comes with a character assembly tool, so the ShadowRealm tool isn't helpful at all.
However, that said, the "kit" does include Visual C++ -- a full version that just doesn't let you redistribute your applications but lets you build them -- and a couple of books in PDF format for learning C++ and DirectX programming. These are great starters, and I've been learning them on my notebook computer in my spare time.
And the book, "Game Design Secrets of the Sages" gives some interesting food for thought on game design approaches, though it gives no programming advice.
Short answer: if you have designed games using Basic or another high level language, and want to move towards more complex game programming, this might be an OK collection. However, if you are buying it just to learn C++, or to learn game programming from scratch, there are much more straightforward books on the subject.

12 people found this helpful

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Martin

Straight forward review

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2001

The reason that people dislike this product is becuase they dont understand what they are doing. True the software included is total crap. You can't just go and make something like Quake 3 but the software is powerfull enough for you to creat some basic 3d games for windows. I belive that this product is useless to professional game developers and people who dont know jack about programming. It is intendet for the people in the middle. People who have a basic idea of what Visual C++ programming and 3d texturing is about. If you know how to make games don't buy this, instead buy a descent engine and a powerfull programming software like codewarrior. If you know the basics of Visual C++ programming and want to make a 3d game than it pays of for you to buy this. But dont expect to make something very cool and powerfull because of the totally crapy engine and software. And if you wanted to publish it you couldnt! Because the VC++ edditor is just a learning version you would have to buy the professional version on order to make a .exe file. So as I said this is just meant to teach you, not to publish or anything.So if you dont know anyting about programming or using game development software dont buy this because you will end up like the other people complaing and getting mad.

16 people found this helpful

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Game Programming Starter Kit 4.0

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