Game Design: Secret of the Sages

by Marc Saltzman

Book Overview

Learn to understand the different game genres, build storyboards and design documents, and create fantastic characters, with this book that covers everything the budding game designer needs to know,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566869870
• ISBN13: 9781566869874
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Bradygames
• Length: 454 Pages
• Weight: 1.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great help with Game Design, but not a programmer's guide

This is the best book out there for anyone looking for Game Design info. I use 3d Game Studio to create my games, and I can not tell you how much this book has helped me with my design.Please note I say design because this is not a programmers reference it does not tell you how to program a game, but it does tell you what you need to know to make a good idea into a great game. Also note the info in this book helped me come up with great ideas.

Great Book To Help Out Budding Game Designers

Although this book does not teach you anything about programming or level design (ect.), it does help out a lot. What I think people missed in the title is "Game Design." No one said it was going to teach you how to program or make levels. It just gives people something to think about when they are ready to start making games.I feel this book will help me greatly when I'm ready to start making games. Heck, the first couple of interviews tought me something's I would've easily overlooked when I start to make games. This is a great book and a must have for anyone trying to learn about making video games.

Don't get this book wrong

A brilliant book about designing computer game smash hits. If you are looking for code and details on that level, look elsewhere. If you are looking for an insight in the industry's foremost minds (like Sid Meier etc.) this is it!A wealth of input and inspiration for anybody that wants to start out in computer games whether with a studio or on his/her own.

This Book Actually Helped Me To Make A Game

For me, this book achieved it's goal with flying colors: to help to design, create and FINISH a game. While not a full retail game, it was a total conversion project of an existing game (Starcraft) which needed modification in all areas cvered by this book, with the exception of the "breaking into the industry." I'll say this: the book may not be perfect, but reading it was damn well better than just sitting on my rear end thinking about a project I'd never finish. I feel that this book deserves every star I gave it. With all it's advice and helpful hints, I was able to create a damn good conversion, that actually rivaled the quality of retail games I've played. I found the advice of industry professionals extrordinarily helpful, because it clearly showed the pitfalls I was sure to and did face. I was not looking for another book on how to write code, or draw pretty pictures. I didn't find one. I found a book that very realistically showed what it is like to make a game, and how you should go about doing it. I really thank Mr. Saltzman for writing this very comprehensive manual. It helped me through a massive project, and I am eternally greatful to have read it. By reading it, I learned game design, the entire goal and focus of the book.

AN AWESOME BOOK!

While I was reading this book I found out many things that I did not know. This book kept me reading and reading. A real "page-turner". Although, some of the things in the book are imposiible to do. For example, if a kid wants to make a game you need a cast of voices, programmers, animators, etc. etc. etc. Basically, you need a lot of money and a lot of time. If you want to make a game and don't have the "lot of money part" chances are you're not making one. I'm rating this book regardless of actually making a game or not. The book was well written and deserves 5 stars.