C# and Game Programming: A Beginner's Guide

by Salvatore A. Buono

The second edition of C# and Game Programming offers the same practical, hands-on approach as the first edition to learning the C# language through classic arcade game applications. Complete source... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568812361
• ISBN13: 9781568812366
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: A K PETERS
• Length: 530 Pages
• Weight: 2.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

You need this book

I have purchased a lot of programming books and even a computer based training package in the last few years. None of them covered the concepts of programming as well as this book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a novice programmer who wants to learn C# as well as the basics of game programming. The games included are basically clones of Pong, Space War, Asteroids, Space Invaders, Break Out, Brezerk, and Pac Man, but again, these are a good start for a beginner.

A Must have

Most books on .NET cover winforms..after all, it's probably the first thing you address as a programmer. However, this book had wonderful examples of real world things you do with forms. The writing is great, the layout is very easy on the eyes, and whether you are using it for a reference, or trying to get new ideas from it...you'll be glad you bought this book.

This book rocks!

This is a great entry level book that will teach you the basics of game programming without requiring a degree in Math or Computer Science. This book is delightful to read, because it intersperses graphics programming techniques with discussions about good game play. The appendices also include some notable articles about game playing, game projects, and the "science" of making a good game. Some hard-core developers may be put off by the fact that the examples are in C#, but I strongly advise against such a bias -- C# code is 60% as efficient in execution as C++, but much easier to learn, and you would miss out on a GREAT opportunity to learn about game programming AND have fun. Lastly, I want to say that their writing style is very nice -- well thought out and not pretentious at all.

This is a fantastic book

This is a fantastic book for learning both C# and Game Programming. It covers the entire C# language, breaking down each keyword, so as to make learning a new language as simple as possible. But, it doesn't stop there. Next, it introduces game programming, taking the keywords that you've already studied and using them to create arcade style games. The games are actually object-oriented models built off a single set of classes, but you don't know this yet, since you're only in chapter three. Building the games also means that you'll have to master both graphic and sound programming, but the CD also includes pre-assembled projects, so beginners can skip these steps, studying them after they completed the language. The games are also built using Windows not console settings, so you'll be well into event driven thinking. Once you've mastered those games, its back to work with new keywords and concepts being introduced in every section. There is no documentation that explains; "Why you want to program..." or "How to think of ideas" You know why you want to program and you don't need to read another book that suggests that you watch Japanese cartoons. Progressing through the chapters means progressing through sorts, statistics, file storage, database, and object-oriented design, but each chapter ends with two new games, and interesting enough, all those little topics, seem too also play a role in those games. There is a little bit of algebra and a small doze of calculus, but these concepts can also be skipped without a problem. There is a tinny taste of primitive 3D programming, but the book is action packed 2D. Finally, as you work through the last set of game classes you are inspired to do one of two things. One, design a few new games using those classes. Or two, to design your own set of classes and use those to create whatever you'd like. The appendix also includes additional information on Windows Forms, Algorithms... Update: There is also an email address included with the text, and the author does email you updates, patches...

This is a fantastic book

This is a fantastic book for learning both C# and Game Programming. It covers the entire C# language, breaking down each keyword, so as to make learning a new language as simple as possible. But, it doesn't stop there. Next, it introduces game programming, taking the keywords that you've already studied and using them to create arcade style games. The games are actually object-oriented models built off a single set of classes, but you don't know this yet, since you're only in chapter three. Building the games also means that you'll have to master both graphic and sound programming, but the CD also includes pre-assembled projects, so beginners can skip these steps, studying them after they completed the language. The games are also built using Windows not console settings, so you'll be well into event driven thinking. Once you've mastered those games, its back to work with new keywords and concepts being introduced in every section. There is no documentation that explains; "Why you want to program..." or "How to think of ideas" You know why you want to program and you don't need to read another book that suggests that you watch Japanese cartoons. Progressing through the chapters means progressing through sorts, statistics, file storage, database, and object-oriented design, but each chapter ends with two new games, and interesting enough, all those little topics, seem too also play a role in those games. There is a little bit of algebra and a small doze of calculus, but these concepts can also be skipped without a problem. There is a tinny taste of primitive 3D programming, but the book is action packed 2D. Finally, as you work through the last set of game classes you are inspired to do one of two things. One, design a few new games using those classes. Or two, to design your own set of classes and use those to create whatever you'd like. The appendix also includes additional information on Windows Forms, Algorithms...