Product Description

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a game developer? Or what about taking it a step further and developing for a next-gen console like the Xbox 360 instead of just a PC? With Microsoft's XNA framework, game development has never been more straightforward. This book takes you through introductory and intermediate game development concepts from 2D animation to 3D cameras and effects. Delve into high level shader language (HLSL) and introductory artificial intelligence concepts. The author avoids unnecessary details on background architecture and historical facts and instead focuses on what you want most - developing games from start to finish. The author is an experienced university-level game development instructor and the book was written specifically as a resource for first time game developers. The hands-on approach walks you through the XNA 2.0 framework for Windows and Xbox 360 development in a concise and easy to follow format.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10759 in Books
• Published on: 2008-12-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 506 pages

About the Author
Aaron Reed has extensive software development experience and more importantly, experience in software development education. Since 2004 he has taught courses at Neumont University in .NET, web development and web services, XNA, systems design and architecture, and more.

Aaron's experience in teaching both DirectX and XNA for several years to university-level students helps him understand what topics are easily understood and which ones need more depth and emphasis. Through experience in the classroom he also has a good understanding of what format and sequence makes the most sense to present the material. This book follows that format and is meant to present game development concepts in the way most efficient and most comprehendible as proven in the classroom.

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Book!
I have bought a few XNA books but none of them have been aimed at beginners or spend much time on 2D games development. This book gets right down to basics spending plenty of time on 2D; perfect for those starting out. The content on 3D games development is also excellent and serves as the perfect introduction for those interested in transitioning from 2D to 3D.

On top of this, the book also covers XACT, HLSL, GPU particle effects and split screen and networked multiplayer games.

Brilliant book!

A definite Learning Experience
People usually criticize books ruthlessly for not containing exactly what they want or need. It is impossible for a book to accommodate everyone. This book however does as the title states, helps the reader learn Xna 3.0. It begins with the 2D elements of Xna and is definitely a good reference with clear and well written code and then Jumps into 3D space.
I consider it better than Microsoft's game studio and Xna game studio express books. It gives the user the building blocks to make their unique game. With any type of programming it is useless relying solely on books, it takes practice and a well rounded knowledge of mathematics and c#.
If you're beginning Xna it is well worth purchasing. I find a book is always nice than a hundred bookmarks to web tutorials.
Its limitation is in its C# information, it really is best to rummage through C# books and get a good solid knowledge of c# in order to feel truly comfortable programming games.

a definite must have for the begginers out there
since starting a games development course at college full time ive found this book to be very useful not just for programming games but for understanding programming in general. i recently found out we would be using xna next year so this book has given me a defenite head start. Each bit of code is explained thoroughly and the book doesnt make assumptions that you already know something so youll rarely ever got lost with what your doing. I highly recommend this book to anyone thinking of taking up xna.