Thread: Game Programming Book

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    Game Programming Book

    I was wondering which book is better Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Guru's or Programming Role Playing Games with DirectX? And how much C++ is used in both books, since I am just starting to learn C++ , I got the book Accelerated C++, since I already know C and a little bit of the Win32 API. I was going to get Windows Game Programming Guru's but I just decided to get Accelerated C++. I'm asking since I was going to get a game programming book after I read a few C++ books which might be a while though.

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    Pursuing knowledge confuted's Avatar
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    I've seen Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus recommended many, many times on these forums, but I've never seen mention of the other. Take that for what you will - I've been around for quite a while.
    Away.

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    They seem to get the same ratings in book sites like Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Programming Role Playing Games seems to use Direct 3D for 2d things instead of Direct Draw and it has chapters on online multiplayer games but it doesn't seem to be anything about AI and physics which I think Tricks of the WIndows Game Programming Gurus has.

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    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    Originally posted by blackrat364
    I've seen Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus recommended many, many times on these forums, but I've never seen mention of the other. Take that for what you will - I've been around for quite a while.
    I agree that it gets praise alot when its mentioned, probably not a bad investment.

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    Does Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Guru's some C++ things like classes? If not are there any good C++ Game Programming books.

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    If it uses DirectX, it's going to be using classes all the time. I can't imagine trying to make a "high-powered" game without them.
    Away.

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    I geuss I'm going to get Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Guru's after I read a few C++ books.

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    As i always do in these threads i want to suggest a book not listed. OpenGL Game Programming by Kevin Hawkins and Dave Astle is a really good one for about 50.00 USD.

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    OpenGl Game Programming uses 3D programming and I don't think I know enough math for that. I am good at math but I'm only taking Geometry rigth now in school. Or is there any tutorial on 3d math that a person that doesn't know math higher than geomotry can learn from?

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    There are lots of tutorials like those. It's also possible to do some of the basic 3d stuff without knowing a lot of math now, because the APIs (directx and opengl) do it for you. You'll also learn it as you go along - most of it really isn't that difficult.
    Away.

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    Does Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Guru's some C++ things like classes?
    I think Andre's style is very much like a procedural programmer who has picked up on some of the good about C++. It certainly does not go out of its way to teach good OOP principles with regards to game programming.

    But the overall content is very good.
    Programming Role Playing Games with DirectX?
    Not bad this one. It seems to fit in more with your requirements for C++ game programming book. It doesn't cover as many topics as the first book (TotWGPG), but what is in there is very good.

    I have both, and if I had to pick one of the two, it would be "RPG with DX", just make sure you get the most recent version. There are two out there, one for DX7 and one for DX8.

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    Originally posted by Android
    OpenGl Game Programming uses 3D programming and I don't think I know enough math for that. I am good at math but I'm only taking Geometry rigth now in school. Or is there any tutorial on 3d math that a person that doesn't know math higher than geomotry can learn from?
    I'm one of the worst people at math you will ever meet, just have to stay focused.

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    I've seen some reviews about OpenGL Game Programming.. It's written by some people "working" with gamedev.net .. I read some articles about it. Never actually read the book, but I think it's great. Looking forward to buying it someday

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    Is there any game programming books that uses OOP. I read some more things on Tricks but it seems it uses C++ but not OOP and the author's coding style isn't good. I am asking for a C++ game programming book because I don't want to spend a long time learning C++ and then spend a long tiem reading a C game programming book and by the time i'm done with the book I would have probally forgotten some OOP things. But programming RPG with DirectX seem to be use OOP but I want to be able to program different types of games not just RPG.
    Last edited by Android; 08-08-2003 at 04:08 PM.

  15. #15
    Tricks doesnt use OOP b/c LaMothe says that the OO design is difficult to follow in code, and when it comes to programming books with a lot of code I would agree with him. The Book "Learn Computer Game Programming with DirectX 7.0" by Ian Parberry goes throug creating a 2D C++ fully OO game engine using DirectX but like I said before, the OO design is a little difficult to keep track of and takes up a lot more room.
    Yes, the last book is a little outdated but I think there may be a newer version, but if not you will still use DirectDraw 7 for 2D and you can still use Direct Sound and Direct Input.

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