Windows Game Programming For Dummies 2nd Edition

by André LaMothe (Author)

114 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0764516788

ISBN-10: 0764516787

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The multimedia and computer-games industry has exploded in recent years. Games have gotten incredibly sophisticated—and incredibly entertaining. The programs used to create them have improved also, to the point that you don’t necessarily have to be a nerd deluxe to do it yourself. Even so, game programming can be challenging—even if you’re a veteran C/C++ programmer and licensed technogeek. Challenging, sure…but also incredibly cool.

Using DirectX—the latest and greatest technology for making games on PCs—Windows Game Programming For Dummies will help you write just about any 2D game you can conjure. Now updated to cover new DirectX and Windows releases, your friendly yellow-and-black companion will show you:

The basics of video game design
The nuts and bolts of Windows programming
How to work with DirectX—and play with DirectDraw
How to make a real game, with an actual, step-by-step example
How to market your mind-blowing new creation
The ten biggest mistakes made by game programmers—and how to avoid them

From graphics to sound to input and installation, legendary game developer and Xtreme Games CEO André LaMothe takes you right into the guts of the game—in an entertaining style that won’t send you retreating to the nearest joystick. André’s witty, he’s tons of fun, and before you know it he’ll have you up to speed on:

Setting up your game programming workstation
Getting into DirectDraw: animation techniques, bitmaps, color keying, and more
Adding Direct X subsystems such as DirectSound, DirectInput, and AutoPlay
Getting your hands dirty by making a real game

The physics of asteroids and other flying objects: time, velocity, force, and all that
Game programming websites, downloads, 3D engines, usenet groups, and more!

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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Get the scoop on DirectDraw, DirectInput physics modeling, and more! The one book you need to begin building your own games Game programming is a challenge - even if you're a veteran C/C++ programmer. This friendly guide by a legendary game developer delivers just what you need to get started on 2D games. It shows you step by step how to tackle everything from graphics and sound to input and installation - even games marketing!

From the Back Cover

Publisher ‏ : ‎ For Dummies; 2nd edition (October 1, 2002)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764516787
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0764516788
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.84 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.46 x 0.99 x 9.2 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,643,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in DirectX Software Programming
- #947 in Microsoft OS Guides
- #1,042 in Computer Operating Systems (Books)

Customer Reviews:
114 ratings

About the author

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Andre Lamothe

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André LaMothe was born in Silicon Valley, CA. He is a Computer Scientist, Futurist, Game Developer, and International Best Selling author. Mr. LaMothe holds degrees in Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science.

Mr. Lamothe has been programming and developing systems for over 30 years. Including embedded systems, text books, and PC games, he has produced over 750 products over the last three decades.

He is currently the CEO/Chief Scientist of Nurve Networks and iC0nstrux.com. Before founding Nurve, Mr. LaMothe was a Silicon Valley consultant and worked on projects ranging from Artificial Intelligence at NASA, to rendering algorithms at Software Publishing Corp (SPC), to Virtual Reality at Visions of Reality to name a few. He is the former founder/CEO of Xtreme Games and PlanetFreeStuff.com.

Customer reviews

5 star		59%
4 star		13%
3 star		19%
2 star		5%
1 star		5%

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Top reviews from the United States

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M D

It's OK, but it doesn't teach much for a Dummies book

Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2001

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First let me start out by saying that the book is written in C. Not beginning-level C, mind you, but anywhere from intermediate to advanced C! This wouldn't have annoyed me so much if the language was C++, but it's not. This greatly limits the capabilities of this text, and leaves it being very outdated.
Another thing that I have a complaint about is that this book really only teaches you one thing, Windows programming. If you're good at interpreting what the author might have meant in his or her programs, you MAY be able to pick up on some basic game logic and algorithms. It also uses the infamous LaMothe-line, "You don't need to know how it works, just that it does." That has always really made me angry. I'm one of the people who wants to be able to understand everything that you're typing, because that's how you become a GOOD programmer, regardless of what language or for what purpose.
I have to admit, the Windows programming section is fairly good. It teaches you about menus, mouse coordinates, mouse and key states, and other good stuff you need to make a game. It has the pieces, but it just doesn't have enough glue in it for the reader to be able to figure out how to do very much on their own.
If I can give you one piece of advice, it would be to not make the same mistake I did in purchasing this book. If you want a real good introduction to game programming, buy Isometric Game Programming with DirectX 7.0 by Ernest Pazera. You will need to know some C++ for this though, so I would also recommend you get an intro to the language such as Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days or something to that liking.
P.S. I highly recommend the new game programming series by Prima Tech, despite the fact that LaMothe is the series editor.

3 people found this helpful

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Eve Gillespie

Missing cd 💿

Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2021

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We were disappointed in our purchase
The cd was missing
Book was in good shape

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Timothy Puccetti

Nice Book

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2013

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Yes, it is a carefully written and exhaustive attempt to show the reader the foundations of how to program simple games using Windows. But, don't forget mine was written in 2002, and Windows is a very complex operating system to learn to program. So, you can only make some simple things. But, that's the reality of learning to program with Windows from scratch. You will probably learn up to Windows XP operating systems. Covers things like algorithms, structures, GDI, events, DirectX, DirectDraw, macros and basic game interface design ideas.

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Bennett

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2014

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This is probably (for it's time) the best intro to DirectX programming you can find.

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Jean M. Hurley

Fabulous

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2013

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Exactly what my son was looking for. Recommend this book to anyone interesting in learning about game programming. Very understandable.

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TheNun

Games Programing

Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2012

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Good book, a word of caution you do need some other code experience before tackling this. I'bought this for my son and he seems to be able to grasp all the concepts well.

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Carlos Rivas Quiros

Not a good book

Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2003

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Sorry by my english, it is not very well.
I bought this book thinking I can learn to program video games. I was WRONG.
The first chapters introduce you to C (ONLY introduce, not a good explanation), and later LaMothe begin to talk about DirectX and explain the declarations of the functions, only that. I think this book is not for dummies, is for C and DirectX experimented programmers. Don't buy it, it's a waste of time and money.

2 people found this helpful

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T. Hanson

So-So book, but you better have your comp with ya

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2006

This book does have some good parts to it and would be a great starting point to people wanting to get into games. It covers enough to get you going, but sometimes doesn't cover enough to let you expand on what you have learned. Much of the time, i would have to look through the sdk help to figure something out/get a better explaination of some of the stuff in the book.

You can live with that, so why only 3 stars:

-1 star:

The book, while seemingly short, packs in quite a bit of information. The author does this by puting the source on a CD instead of listing it in the book. I absolutly hate this because i don't always have access to my computer when i am reading. I can program well enough to see the source, remeber what is going on, and be able to figure out what is going on. Also having the source on CD instead of in the book makes it so you don't ever have to type in the source code. I find that it helps me to remember some stuff if i actually do it (like typing it in. It is nice to have access to the source, to check against if you are having problems though.)

-1 more star:

This book is dated, and was dated when it was wrote. When it was wrote, DX8 was out, and DirectDraw and D3D were merged into DirectGraphics. This book uses the DX7 DirectDraw interfaces. With DX9 out now, this has become more outdated.

As an introduction to 2d dx, 2d graphics, and overall game programing, this is pretty good. However, the code doesn't always teach good coding practices, and the engin that is build, while is sufficient, is not of very high calibur.

Try and find a different dx book, preferably written in the past couple years, and not one "for dummies." When you try and dumb something down, especially someting as complex at DX, you always end up missing something. If you already know C++, you are apparently not a dummy, and therefor should get a different book.

4 people found this helpful

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Lucy

Xmas prezzie

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2018

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Looked good to me when it arrived - for an xmas prezzie - the person seemed to love it!

Steve

Does it's job ... but does it the hard way.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2002

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Now, I'm no expert and DirectX is not my specialist subject, but this book is not the best Dummies book I've ever read. I'm a proficient C++ programmer and this book can confuse. Mr LaMothe clearly knows what he's talking about, but he never bothered asking someone who didn't, as clarity is not this book's strength. As you read the first few chapters you WILL find yourself lost and confused, persevere though. This gets clearer with time (and experience) and the book then becomes very good indeed. Too many "own" functions which are great for the "beginner" - but he's given up and gone home by then. I would say the book is essential for anyone learning and good value for money, but you should be able to talk to someone who "knows" to explain why things don't work like they should. The code in the book is, quite simply, wrong in places and some of the examples on the CD will not work - but hey, who seeks perfection!?. Not the best, not the worst, but "See Me - Could Try Harder and Do Better". Difficult subject well approached, but should have asked the "Dummy" before you printed it as this book serves to confuse as well as inform. However ... BUY IT!!

One person found this helpful

Adrian

Bit old already but fine

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 13, 2013

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It is a little old, but it help to understand some things, and for the price it was, worth it

marcleon

Buena introducción para abrir el apetito

Reviewed in Spain on February 8, 2013

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Como todos los libros de esta serie sirve para abrir el camino. Es una buena introducción, en el típico estilo de la serie "for Dummies". Para alguien que quiere saber mas de las técnicas y de lo que se necesita para hacer un juego es sufuiciente. Claro que el mundillo de los juegos se mueve tan rápido que ya se ha quedado obsoleto, pero non obstante interesante

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Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on March 6, 2016

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the item was just great it was in very good codition

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Windows Game Programming For Dummies 2nd Edition

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