![]() |
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
|
Your cart is empty |
||
|
Books > Computing & IT > Computer software packages > Computer games
Would you like to create your own games, but never have the time to dig into the details of multimedia programming? Now you don't have to XNA 3.0 makes it simple to create your own games, which will run on your PC and Xbox 360 console. Even if you don't know how to program at all, Beginning XNA 3.0 Game Programming: From Novice to Professional will teach you the basics of C# 2008 programming along the way. Don't get overwhelmed with details you don't need to knowjust learn what you need to start creating your own games right now This fastpaced introduction to XNA 3.0 and the C# language provides you with a quickstart guide to creating highquality XNA games. You'll be introduced to the key concepts and ideas you need to know in a gradual fashion so that you master one concept before using it as a foundation for the next. Before long, you will have the skills to create smooth, professionallooking results in a range of gaming genres. By the end of the book, you will have constructed several working games and have an excellent knowledge base from which to investigate more advanced techniques. What you'll learn Master game planning and programming basicsUnderstand 2D graphics, audio, and input basicsCreate your first 2D gameImprove your first 2D gameExplore the basics of game networkingDeal with sound in XNA 3.0See how to create a 2D multiplayer game, Rock Rain Live Understand 3D game programming basicsRender pipelines, shaders, and effectsWork with lights, cameras, and transformationsGenerate a terrainLearn skeletal animation techniquesCreate a thirdperson shooter gamePlay games on the Zune console Who this book is for This book is for anyone approaching XNA programming for the Xbox 360 for the first time, whether they have experience programming computer games or not.
Join the game development revolution today XNA 3.0 greatly simplifies the development of your own games, lowering the barrier for programmers to get into game development. In XNA, you can start coding your games from the very start, a true revelation compared to other game programming environments. XNA doesn't sacrifice power for this ease of useit is built entirely on DirectX technology. Completely updated for XNA 3.0, expert Riemer Grootjans brings together a selection of the hottest recipes in XNA programming for the Xbox 360, PC, and Zune. Advanced XNA programmers, experienced coders new to game development, and even complete beginners will find XNA 3.0 Game Programming Recipes an invaluable companion whether building games for fun or as commercial products. What you'll learn This title covers virtually every feature of the XNA 3.0 Framework. It focuses primarily on 2D and 3D graphics programming, but other game programming features such as audio playback, networking, and mobile gaming are also discussed in detail. These are some of the topics that are being covered in depth: How to create 2D graphics 3D rendering techniques at various levels of difficulty Creating games for the Zune mobile device Loading, rendering, and animating 3D models How to read input devices: keyboard, mouse, and Xbox 360 Controller Using audio to spice up your game Adding networking to your game to challenge your friends Architectural XNA features, such as GameComponents The content pipeline: one of the three major components in XNA game development A whole list of HLSL techniques Who this book is for This book is for everyone Whatever your experience, you will find a recipe to suit your need and skill. Great care has been taken to ensure the easier recipes provide a great deal of detail so they can be followed by readers without much programming experience. Each chapter gradually builds in difficulty so you will be able to progress through it as your XNA coding improves and you move on to more sophisticated techniques.
He is the most dominant fighting game champion in the world. But before he was Japan's first pro gamer, Daigo was one of many players battling their way through Japanese arcades during the golden age of fighting games. Find out how the player became the legend in DAIGO THE BEAST: UMEHARA FIGHTING GAMERS! In Volume 2: In the 1990s, the young Daigo is rising above the fray on the challenging Akihabra arcade beat. But when his singular dedication to gaming faces the resistance of an unforgiving society, conflict begins to brew.
If you want to enrich your game's experience with physics-based realism, the expanded edition of this classic book details physics principles applicable to game development. You'll learn about collisions, explosions, sound, projectiles, and other effects used in games on Wii, PlayStation, Xbox, smartphones, and tablets. You'll also get a handle on how to take advantage of various sensors such as accelerometers and optical tracking devices. Authors David Bourg and Bryan Bywalec show you how to develop your own solutions to a variety of problems by providing technical background, formulas, and a few code examples. This updated book is indispensable whether you work alone or as part of a team. Refresh your knowledge of classical mechanics, including kinematics, force, kinetics, and collision response Explore rigid body dynamics, using real-time 2D and 3D simulations to handle rotation and inertia Apply concepts to real-world problems: model the behavior of boats, airplanes, cars, and sports balls Enhance your games with digital physics, using accelerometers, touch screens, GPS, optical tracking devices, and 3D displays Capture 3D sound effects with the OpenAL audio API
Building XNA 2.0 Games: A Practical Guide for Independent Game Development is written by James Silva, who recently won the prestigious Microsoft Dream Build Play game competition with his award-winning game, The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai. Building XNA 2.0 Games: A Practical Guide for Independent Game Development is an in-depth and exclusive look into the entire XNA game development process and includes the creation of a software game masterpiece. James Silva guides you through the process he took to build his award-winning title, from concept to reality. He reveals tips and techniques for creating a polished, high-quality game with very few resources, while bridging the gap between coding and art. This title shows software developers the following: The creation of a polished game from start to finish Design philosophies Next-gen 2D graphics, including shaders Techniques for fast, fluid game play XACT Audio and XInput Eye-catching particle effects for visual stimulation The book is packed full of code, pictures, and valuable insights into XNA game development.
In this book, XNA expert Reimer Grootjans brings together a selection of the hottest quick-start recipes in XNA programming for the Xbox and Windows PC. Advanced XNA programmers, experienced coders new to games development, and even complete beginners will find XNA Game Programming Recipes an invaluable companion when building games for fun or as commercial products. Numerous problem-solving recipes cover topics from cameras and angles, to textures, models, and lighting and shadowing, and will get you over the common hurdles encountered in both 2D and 3D XNA application design.
In this latest work, Selfe and Hawisher explore the complexly
rendered relationship between computer gaming environments and
literacy development by focusing on the stories of computer gamers
in the United States at the beginning of the twenty-first century.
Using the words and observations of individual gamers, this book
offers historical and cultural analyses of literacy development,
practices, and values.
This book provides readers with an introductory resource for learning how to create compelling games using the open source Python programming language and Pygame games development library. Authored by industry veteran and Python expert Will McGugan, readers are treated to a comprehensive, practical introduction to games development using these popular technologies. They can also capitalize upon numerous tips and tricks the author has accumulated over his career creating games for some of the world's largest gaming developers.
Do you have what it takes to become a game developer? With this hands-on book, you'll learn quickly and easily how to develop computer games with Microsoft's XNA 3.0 framework-not just for your PC, but for Xbox 360 and the Microsoft Zune as well. Written by an experienced university-level game development instructor, Learning XNA 3.0 walks you through the framework in a clear and understandable step-by-step format. Each chapter offers a self-contained lesson with lots of illustrations and annotated examples to help you master key concepts. Once you finish the book, you'll know how to develop sophisticated games from start to finish. Learn game development concepts from 2D animation to 3D cameras and effects Delve into high-level shader language (HLSL) and introductory artificial intelligence concepts Develop three complete and exciting games using 2D,3D and multiplayer concepts Develop and deploy games to the Xbox 360 and the Microsoft Zune While teaching XNA to beginning game developers, author Aaron Reed noticed that several key concepts were difficult for students to grasp. Learning XNA 3.0 was written specifically to address those issues. With this book, you can test your understanding and practice new skills as you go with unique "Test Your Knowledge" exercises and review questions in each chapter. Why wait? Amaze your family and friends by building your own games for the PC, Xbox 360, and Zune-with Learning XNA 3.0. "An outstanding book Teaches you XNA development in a smart way, starting from 2D basics and going into 3D and shader development. What I really like is the 'peeling the onion' approach the author takes, which builds up knowledge from previous chapters." --David "LetsKillDave" Weller, CEO, Cogito Ergonomics, LLC, and former XNA program manager
Crafted to resemble a set of Abstergo case files, this immersive and interactive book provides a glimpse into the technology that allows characters to inhabit the lives of their ancestors - a cornerstone of the Assassin's Creed narrative. In-depth and beautifully illustrated, the Assassin's Creed Manual will grant a never-before-seen look at the inner workings of the fictional corporation at the heart of the blockbuster franchise.
This book provides one-on-one tutoring to help you quickly get up to speed with the basics while also learning how to best apply Storyline features in the context of the work you do.If you're an e-learning developer, writer, designer, subject matter expert, or all or any one of these, this book is for you. This book is not just for novices, but also for seasoned developers, transitioning from PowerPoint and Articulate Studio '09, and for those who are already working with Storyline.
Inside the making of the multibillion dollar Grand Theft Auto videogame empire Grand Theft Auto is one of the biggest and most controversial videogame franchises of all time. Since its first release in 1997, GTA has pioneered the use of everything from 3D graphics to the voices of top Hollywood actors and repeatedly transformed the world of gaming. Despite its incredible innovations in the $75 billion game industry, it has also been a lightning rod of debate, spawning accusations of ethnic and sexual discrimination, glamorizing violence, and inciting real-life crimes. Jacked tells the turbulent and mostly unknown story of GTA's wildly ambitious creators, Rockstar Games, the invention and evolution of the franchise, and the cultural and political backlash it has provoked.* Explains how British prep school brothers Sam and Dan Houser took their dream of fame, fortune, and the glamor of American pop culture and transformed it into a worldwide videogame blockbuster* Written by David Kushner, author of Masters of Doom and a top journalist on gaming, and drawn from over ten years of interviews and research, including firsthand knowledge of Grand Theft Auto's creators and detractors* Offers inside details on key episodes in the development of the series, including the financial turmoil of Rockstar games, the infamous "Hot Coffee" sex minigame incident, and more Whether you love Grand Theft Auto or hate it, or just want to understand the defining entertainment product of a generation, you'll want to read Jacked and get the real story behind this boundary-pushing game.
The unusual marriage of Romantic ballet and artificial intelligence is an intriguing idea that led a team of interdisciplinary researchers to design iGiselle, a video game prototype. Scholars in the fields of literature, physical education, music, design, and computer science collaborated to revise the tragic narrative of the nineteenth-century ballet Giselle, allowing players to empower the heroine for possible "feminine endings." The eight interrelated chapters chronicle the origin, development, and fruition of the project. Dancers, gamers, and computer specialists will all find something original that will stimulate their respective interests. Contributors: Vadim Bulitko, Wayne DeFehr, Christina Gier, Pirkko Markula, Mark Morris, Sergio Poo Hernandez, Emilie St. Hilaire, Nora Foster Stovel, Laura Sydora
Take it to the next level! Bursting with the biggest games, latest trends, and hottest news, Next Level Games Review 2023 is the ultimate annual gaming guide. Inside you'll discover a recap of the last twelve months in gaming and a preview of what's coming soon, plus an exclusive intro written by YouTube, TV, and radio presenter Julia Hardy. Whether you want to relive the action in Deathloop, learn about the exciting new Steam Deck, get a head start in Switch Sports, explore Minecraft biomes, become an MMO champion, join the Guardians of the Galaxy aboard the Milano, catch new Diamond and Pearl Pokemon, check out indie adventures, build your Ultimate Team in FIFA, or return to The Lands Between in Elden Ring, this guide is a game-changer! 200+ GAMES: Find out surprising stats and entertaining facts on over 200 games, including Mario, Demon Slayer, Forza, Call of Duty, Genshin Impact, Roblox, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six, Sonic, Final Fantasy, Madden NFL, and The Legend of Zelda. PERFECT FOR NEW GAMERS: Packed with tips and tricks for new and young gamers, plus a special glossary section so you can learn the lingo. ESPORTS CHAPTER: Catch up on all the news and read fascinating trivia on the top eSports games, including League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, Dota 2, and Overwatch. INSIDER INFO: Get the inside take from gaming experts and learn all about your favourite game studios, including FromSoftware, EA, Bandai Namco, 343, Eidos Montreal, and Gearbox Software.
This engaging book presents the essential mathematics needed to describe, simulate, and render a 3D world. Reflecting both academic and in-the-trenches practical experience, the authors teach you how to describe objects and their positions, orientations, and trajectories in 3D using mathematics. The text provides an introduction to mathematics for game designers, including the fundamentals of coordinate spaces, vectors, and matrices. It also covers orientation in three dimensions, calculus and dynamics, graphics, and parametric curves.
Considered a sign of the 'coming of age' of video games as an artistic medium, the award-winning BioShock franchise covers vast philosophical ground. BioShock and Philosophy: Irrational Game, Rational Book presents expert reflections by philosophers (and Bioshock connoisseurs) on this critically acclaimed and immersive fan-favorite. Reveals the philosophical questions raised through the artistic complexity, compelling characters and absorbing plots of this ground-breaking first-person shooter (FPS) Explores what BioShock teaches the gamer about gaming, and the aesthetics of video game storytelling Addresses a wide array of topics including Marxism, propaganda, human enhancement technologies, political decision-making, free will, morality, feminism, transworld individuality, and vending machines in the dystopian society of Rapture Considers visionary game developer Ken Levine's depiction of Ayn Rand's philosophy, as well as the theories of Aristotle, de Beauvoir, Dewey, Leibniz, Marx, Plato, and others from the Hall of Philosophical Heroes
The drums of war thunder once again . . . World of Warcraft redefined online gaming for millions and millions of people, and in the fifteen years since its launch, each new chapter in the game's story has been bolstered through the Blizzard Entertainment's incredible cinematics. The Cinematic Art of World of Warcraft: Volume I goes behind the scenes with the team who built the game's stunning movies. With never-before-seen concept art and accounts of the creative and technical process, this is the definitive visual gallery of how countless artists brought the world of Azeroth to life in incredible detail and motion. The first installment in a new series, The Cinematic Art of World of Warcraft: Volume I is a visual chronicle covering the cinematics from the beginning of World of Warcraft through to the Warlords of Draenor expansion.
Gain a thorough understanding of animation and character rigging using Autodesk 3ds Max to create realistic character animations. This book is split into three modules that are subsequently divided into chapters. The first module is the foundation module: in this module you'll cover, among other topics, the 12 cardinal principles of animation with reference to classic real-world examples and famous movies/animation shots. Using these, the further chapters explore using key frames and graph editors to obtain fluid motion in your animations. Practical examples are used to better explain which feature suits a particular scenario. The second module, called the backbone module, introduces you to deformation tools and their use for character animation. Further chapters cover driven animations, constraints posed by bones, bipeds, and the CAT tools available in 3ds Max 2019. The final module, the lifeline module, encourages you to bring your character to life by applying principles learnt in the previous modules. Here you will be guided on how to retarget animations from one character to other characters or rigs. On completing Character Rigging and Advance Animation, you will be able to create character rigs for bipeds and quadrupeds with ease, animating them with life-like motion. What You Will Learn Understand the 12 principles of animation Set up an animation-ready character rig from scratch Master the deformation tools available for animation Who This Book Is For Readers who are familiar with 3ds Max at a basic level and are looking at getting into character rigging and animation.
3D GAME PROGRAMMING ALL IN ONE, THIRD EDITION is perfect for anyone interested in learning the skills and processes involved in making 3D games. This new edition of the bestselling book shows you how to design and create every aspect of a fully featured game using the Torque 3D game engine. Starting with an introduction to game programming, this comprehensive book provides an overview of the gaming industry, game engines, programming, 3D concepts, texturing and modeling, and even audio engineering. After all the techniques are presented, you will use your new skills and the material on the DVD to create a game. The DVD contains everything you need to create a complete game, including all of the TorqueScript source code in sample and final form, the Torque 3D Tools Demo game engine, MilkShape 3D for 3D player and item modeling, The Gimp 2 for texture and image manipulation, Audacity for sound editing and recording, UVMapper for performing UV unwrapping tasks, and Torsion, the Integrated Development Environment tool for TorqueScript code.
Professional XNA(R) Programming Building Games for Xbox 360(R) and Windows(R)with XNA Game Studio 2.0, 2nd Edition This improved and updated edition of the bestseller will get you up and running quickly with building games for Xbox 360 and the Windows platform. Professional game developer and Microsoft MVP Benjamin Nitschke begins by explaining how to install the free XNA Game Studio 2.0 and then goes on to share essential advice for using it in a productive way. Before you know it, each successive chapter will have you developing small games that increase in difficulty. By using the chapters as building blocks, you'll evolve from 2D programming to 3D, and you'll ultimately create a full-blown graphics engine that can be used for more advanced game projects. Plus, you'll get an inside look at six fully functional games, including the popular Racing Game and the new Dungeon Quest. What you will learn from this book Tips for adding music and sound with XACT Techniques for creating unique visual effects through Shaders Ways to access keyboard, mouse, and Xbox controllers with XInput How to write your own XNA graphics engine and create a game engine How to manage content in XNA Myriad ways of fine-tuning, debugging, and troubleshooting How to make sure games run on the Xbox 360 Ways to generate landscapes and tracks How to take advantage of XNA's new networking APIs Who this book is for This book is for anyone who wants to create games on the Xbox 360 and Windows platforms. Experience with C# or a similar .NET language is necessary, but previous game programming is not required. Wrox Professional guides are planned and written by workingprogrammers to meet the real-world needs of programmers, developers, and IT professionals. Focused and relevant, they address the issues technology professionals face every day. They provide examples, practical solutions, and expert education in new technologies, all designed to help programmers do a better job.
Uncover the secrets of the game industry's best programmers with the newest volume of the Game Programming Gems series With over 60 all new techniques, Game Programming Gems 4 continues to be the definitive resource for developers. Written by expert game developers who make today's amazing games, these articles not only provide quick solutions to cutting-edge problems, but they provide insights that you'll return to again and again. They'll spark your creativity and inspire your own discoveries. For the past few years, the game industry has been on an incredible journey of exploration and innovation. In conjunction with this journey, the scope of the Game Programming Gems series has broadened as well. With the variety of new platforms available, coverage has been expanded to include alternative languages and third party APIs. Most code is written in C++, but some interpreted languages (Java and Python) are also represented. The graphics articles make use of OpenGL, DirectX, and the various available shader languages. Volume 4 also includes an all new physics section that teaches innovative techniques for implementing real-time physics that will help you create emergent gameplay. To make searching between all four volumes of the series easy and efficient, we have added a cumulative index. This new volume is a definite must-have resource for every game programmer's library!
Do you want to build mobile games, but lack game development experience? No problem. This practical guide shows you how to create beautiful, interactive content for iOS and Android devices with the Unity game engine. Authors Jon Manning and Paris Buttfield-Addison (iOS Swift Game Development Cookbook) provide a top-to-bottom overview of Unity's features with specific, project-oriented guidance on how to use them in real game situations. Over the course of this book, you'll learn hands-on how to build 2D and 3D games from scratch that will hook and delight players. If you have basic programming skills, you're ready to get started. Explore the basics of Unity, and learn how to structure games, graphics, scripting, sounds, physics, and particle systems Use 2D graphics and physics features to build a side-scrolling action game Create a 3D space combat simulator with projectile shooting and respawning objects, and learn how to manage the appearance of 3D models Dive into Unity's advanced features, such as precomputed lighting, shading, customizing the editor, and deployment
Enter the world of Street Fighter, where fighters of every size, shape and color collide in a global battle for supremacy. In this volume: New challengers rise up, while longtime favorites take their martial arts to the next level! The mysterious Menat confronts Shadaloo, Nash returns from the grave, Ken confronts his dark side, Alex faces off with the Mad Gear Gang, Sakura and Karin cross fists one final time, and Akuma descends into a demonic hellscape! This volume collects: Street Fighter V #1, SFV: Wrestling Special #1, SF: Charlie Nash #1, SF: Menat #1, SF: Wrestlepalooza #1, SF: Sakura VS Karin #1, SF: Necro & Effie #1, SF: Akuma VS Hell #1, SF: Super Combo Special, Ultra Street Fighter II #1 |
You may like...
|