Programming Video Games for the Evil Genius

Programming Video Games for the Evil Genius

IF EVIL’S YOUR NAME,THEN THESE ARE YOUR GAMES! Always wanted to be a genius game creator? This Evil Genius guidegoes far beyond a typical programming class or text to reveal insider tips for breaking the rules and constructing wickedly fun games that you can tweak and customize to suit your needs! In Programming Video Games for the Evil Genius, programming wunderkind Ian Cinnamon gives you everything you need to create and control 57 gaming projects. You’ll find easy-to-follow plans featuring Java, the most universal programming language, that run on any PC, Mac, or Linux computer. Illustrated instructions and plans for an awesome mix of racing, board, shoot ‘em up, strategy, retro, and puzzle games Gaming projects that vary in difficulty-starting with simple programs and progressing to sophisticated projects for programmers with advanced skills An interactive companion website featuring a free Java compiler, where you can share your projects with Evil Geniuses around the globe Removes the frustration-factor-all the parts you need are listed, along with sources Regardless of your skill level, Programming Video Games for the Evil Genius provides you with all the strategies, code, and insider programming advice you need to build and test your games with ease, such as: Radical Racing Screen Skier Whack an Evil Genius Tic-Tac-Toe Boxing Snake Pit Space Destroyers Bomb Diffuser Trapper Oiram Java Man Memory Ian Says.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Simply Outstanding
I am one of those who adults who loves learning for learning’s sake. I started programming a while ago and am becoming more and more proficient at Java. I’ve bought several texts – some okay, some very useful and two absolutely outstanding. This is one of those. I am thoroughly engaged in making these basic (but challenging), retro- style games while honing my programming skills. First, it’s great fun. The projects are very well thought out and the end results are a blast! Second, the author’s clear presentation of code and graphics provides me with the confidence I need to move forward. In short, Programming Video Games for the Evil Genius is something special. That’s it – I’m going back to programming my game.

Hoping for more editions!

5 Stars A Seed for Big Thinking
Praise to Programming Video Games for the Evil Genius!

This is the only Christmas gift that my boys (a junior and freshman) are still using. For the life of me I could never understand the inner workings of Java, but I know the results of this book have created a great deal of excitement about computer programming for both of them. My oldest is even considering a major in this field.

This is proof positive that a single book can have a very big influence.

(In case anyone is wondering, it does work on a Mac)

5 Stars Techno-Geek Heaven!!!
A really cool book for anyone with a creative bone in their body. I’m a blossoming programmer spending equal amounts of time learning code from book instruction and personal experimentation (instead of doing homework!). I find some of the regular text books too boring, others too slow, and others too fast. For me, Programming Video Games is perfect balance. Because it’s divided into smaller steps I’m able to master one project at a time. When I get stuck I turn to my go-to resources like Head First Java or Beginning Java 2 for more explanation. There are the pure mechanics of programming and then there is the creative side of programming. This book gives both. I’ve already “hacked” two the games and created 3 variations that my friends are hooked on. I really, really love this book!

2 Stars Programming Video Games for the Evil Geius
An ok book but not a great one, writing style is friendly and conversational and the kid knows his stuff but it is not a beginners book. I wanted to adapt it for a short course on Java game programming and found it useful. I was able to cull some ideas from it so maybe I was expecting it to be more than it was. Along with some other Java graphics book it will work well.

5 Stars The A, B, C’s of Programming and Gaming
A really, really good book for smart students.

Statements, Comments, Flow Control, Variables, “If” Statements, JOptionPane, Random Numbers, Pausing, Arrays and Array Lists, File Input/Output and much more is here. But lots of Java books have the same information. What makes this different? Programming Video Games gets you off and running on page one and from there gets even better and better. This totally interactive method is really fantastic as I assembled the many projects into different games. And when I got off course (which to be honest, was more than a few times) I just went back through the author’s code and illustrations. The one suggestion I have is to give detailed code for a few of the the variations instead of one-line prompts. But that’s very minor. I can’t tell you how awesome it is to figure out a hard section of programming and then have it work!

Buy/More Info

Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 10

Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 10

Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 10 provides an introduction to programming interactive computer graphics, with an emphasis on game development, using DirectX 10. The book is divided into three main parts. Part I explores basic mathematical tools, Part II shows how to implement fundamental tasks in Direct3D, and Part III demonstrates a variety of techniques and special effects. With this book: Understand how vectors, matrices, and transfomations are used in the creation of computer games. Discover how to implement lighting, texture mapping, blending, and stenciling to increase the realism of your scenes. Explore techniques for creating special effects, including terrain rendering, shadow mapping, particle systems, and reflections. Learn about new Direct3D 10 features such as geometry shaders, the stream out pipeline stage, texture arrays, and primitive IDs. Test your knowledge and programming skills with the end-of-chapter exercises.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Excellent Starter Book
I’ve been using this book for the past few weeks to gear up for one of my new projects. It’s been extremely helpful continuing my C++ learning, and the material is quite easy to follow.

Thanks Frank!

5 Stars Excellent Introduction to DirectX 10 Programming
As the title says, this book is an excellent introduction to Direct X 10 programming.

If you are new to DirectX programming, this book is pretty much what you should start with. I have tried several others, but Frank’s books seem to still be the best and this third incarnation is no different.

With this in mind, there are some necessary pre-requisites before you read this book.

First, you should have some prior knowledge in matrix algebra. Frank does dedicate a section to this, but you definitely should have taken a course prior.

Secondly, you must be familiar with basic C++ concepts. If you are unfamiliar with classes, structures and pointers this book is not for you. Get a good book on C++ programming before hand.

Finally, although it is not strictly necessary, you should have some knowledge in WIN32 programming.

This is definitely a good beginner book, and I highly recommend it.

5 Stars An Oasis in a DX10 Desert
Having some experience with DX9, I wanted a text that clearly explained the capabilities of DX10. I previously had purchased and used Wendy Jones’ and Peter Walsh’s books on DX10. I was disappointed in them because they never bothered to take on the topic of window resizing. Why?

Frank Luna’s latest is a welcome treat. I would have liked to have seen it sooner, but better late than never.

Those readers fearful of vector and matrix arithmetic and algebra will undoubtedly stiffen up because Luna starts with these prerequisites. Such readers should try to tough it out. It will be worth it. Luna’s treatment is thorough. Get through it, but with thorough understanding.

I’ve been through Chapters 1-6, and every paragraph and example program has been worthwhile. Good work, Frank.

5 Stars If you have to get only one reference as a D3D book, you MUST get this one.
I have a quite big library of graphics programming, Game Programming and DirectX related book.

Buy this book IF:

- You need a good, detailed reference of Direct3D API.

- You think that many Computer Graphics Books dont really explains everything and makes you misunderstand lots of stuff

- You like well-balanced books with exact amount of coding and explanation

Dont Buy IF:

- You think this book can be your only source for making a FULL D3D game. There is no book that gives all the knowledge you need for making a full game. Start making your own home library.

Buy/More Info

The Godfather Doctrine A Foreign Policy Parable

The Godfather Doctrine A Foreign Policy Parable

In The Godfather, Mafia don Vito Corleone is shot down on the street by rivals, taken by surprise in a world where the rules have changed and a new course must be charted. Corleone’s circumstances mirror the state of our nation and hold lessons for its future, according to the two international-relations experts who wrote The Godfather Doctrine, out this week. Co-authors John C. Hulsman and A. Wess Mitchell are a rare pair: entertaining and instructive.
(Boston Globe )

Still, as much as I like The Godfather, I never thought of it as the guide to American foreign policy options in the 21st century. Fortunately, two other guys did. The Godfather has always been a joy to watch; however, given the present changes in the world’s power structure, the movie becomes a startlingly useful metaphor for the strategic problems of our times. . . . [A] cute little book.
(Kevin Horrigan St. Louis Post-Dispatch )

If, as Emerson posited, events are ‘in the saddle’ and riding humankind, how do Obama and the Americans who turn their lonely eyes to him sort it all out in the world of globalization? Together. Emphatically. Through the untinted prism of realism. That’s what the authors argue. The ‘Pax Corleone’ allegory, so imperfect and ironic, is their clever yet thought-provoking way of summoning us to become, pragmatically, our best selves. Dream City, Reality City–can they coexist, even ascend, in peace? For 10 recessionary bucks, The Godfather Doctrine forces us to think about how.
(Gene Krzyzynski Buffalo News )

It’s a fun take on the basic issues of foreign policy.
(Michael Maiello Forbes.com )

George Kennan. Henry Kissinger. Michael Corleone? Yes, at this critical historical juncture, the fictional antihero is making a foreign-policy offer that two specialists in the field believe we can’t refuse. The Godfather‘s ‘unlikely wisdom’ for our challenging times–as a new president attempts to preserve America’s global standing in the face of war, economic crisis, and rising great powers–is elucidated in this funny, smart book, an expanded version of a widely read article John C. Hulsman and A. Wess Mitchell published last year. The Godfather Doctrine creatively transposes the iconic 1972 film that director Francis Ford Coppola intended as an allegory of American capitalism onto contemporary geopolitics. . . . [An] inspired metaphor.
(Robert Litwak Wilson Quarterly )

Buy/More Info

The Film Director Prepares A Practical Guide to Directing for Film and TV

The Film Director Prepares A Practical Guide to Directing for Film and TV

Taking Back Childhood

Taking Back Childhood

Carlsson-Paige, a professor of early childhood education and conflict resolution at Lesley University and consultant for several PBS television shows, has a lot of practical advice for parents who want to build better—nonviolent, caring, creative—relationships with their children. Children don’t need electronic gizmos and brainy software, she maintains; they do need lots of creative play opportunities, a strong sense of personal security and positive relationships with other children and adults. Carlsson-Paige encourages parents to model problem solving and cooperative behavior for their children. Thus, parents shouldn’t use power over their kids (issuing orders, calling time-outs), but instead try power sharing, getting on the same side of a problem with the kids and figuring out a resolution together. Parents should stop buying pre-scripted media-based toys (Power Rangers, Nemo spinoffs) and instead buy open-ended toys like blocks and modeling clay that allow children to expand their creativity. There is not much new here, and Carlsson-Paige is often preaching to the choir, but readers will want to believe in her argument that compassionate parenting will produce a less violent and more humane world. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Thought-provoking book
As a psychologist, minister, and parent who is concerned about the impact of mass media and marketing upon children, I found Nancy Carlsson-Paige’s book to be a very timely, yet easy to read, analysis. I found her description of the FCC’s relaxation of rules around product tie-ins for children’s television shows to be especially enlightening. It has really changed the way that I view children’s TV. The book confirmed my decision to terminate cable and to limit my son’s TV viewing. This is a must-read for all parents, educators, and those who work with children. While it may not make you decide to turn off the TV, it will certainly make you a more informed consumer of media and marketing.

5 Stars The Journey of Childhood
As a parent and former teacher, I was drawn to Nancy Carlsson-Paige’s new book because I have been familiar with her groundbreaking work on young children’s war play, “The War Play Dilemma” and know that she has been working, quietly and not so quietly, to effect change in the way we raise our children in this culture. She is a strong advocate for the kind of childhood I have been trying to provide for my own children, but I find it increasingly difficult to find kindred spirits who limit “screen time” and allow for plenty of “down time” for their kids. Nancy’s book gives me hope that we can rescue creative play and advocate for its importance to healthy development, build closer connections to our children, help them develop the kind of empathy the world needs, and teach them to “talk back to consumerism.” Most of all, it helps me feel that it’s not just me against the corporations–that we parents can support each other as we try to hang on to childhood for our children–and it reminds us that childhood is not a race, but a journey….Every parent, grandparent, caregiver, and teacher needs a copy of this book!

5 Stars Great, thought-provoking book! Easy read.
This is an excellent book. Well written, easy read… and gives very clear, specific suggestions for handling children’s behavior. I highly recommend it for parents or anyone else working with children!

5 Stars An Empowering Resource for Teachers and Parents
As a college instructor and early childhood educator, I have witnessed the frustration experienced by well-intended adults who wish to protect children from media violence, commercialism, accelerated academic curriculum and other threats to a healthy childhood. As a grandmother, I have been looking for an empowering resource for my daughter as she struggles to raise her 10-year old twins. Nancy Carlsson-Paige’s book comes just when parents and teachers need it the most! Through real-life stories and professional expertise, the author offers encouragement and insightful guidance for those of us who feel overwhelmed by the challenges of raising children in this complex, sometimes harmful world of ours. My early childhood education students appreciate the accessible way that the author includes child development theory in her writing so that parents and teachers can make informed decisions about how to reclaim what is crucial to childrens’ healthy development – creative play, a sense of security and competence, and positive relationships with both adults and other children. I can’t think of a better gift for parents and teachers who value and respect childhood.

5 Stars Full of practical advice
Chances are, if you are considering reading this book, you are already concerned about the negative impact that our consumer culture is having on children. Nancy Carlsson-Paige will add fuel to your concern, but she also offers plenty of practical advice that anyone can follow. You don’t have to be an educator to read this book and you don’t need any special training to do the things she suggests! There are real-life examples on almost every page, followed by practical suggestions and sample conversations that you can easily have with the children in your life. The appendix has excellent resources for those who want to learn more, or take action against harmful media messages–and believe me, you will want to become an activist after reading this book!

Buy/More Info