What's on the companion cd
- Free 3d models
- Free sound files
- Project samples: Hector Hex, Mama Kat
- Bunch of WAD (texture) files
- Software: GameStudio A6 trial, A4 Font Generator, Audacity, Gensurf, Paint.NET
So i've finished reading the book and here are my opinions.
Yesterday I typed the content of the book structure. But I wanted to reply on this again, because at first glance you almost think lot of ground is covered, but its just theory no example, no tutorial, no code in most cases.
The programming in this book is nearly zero. Mike Duggan has 10 years experience with GameStudio. Foremost with programming, but he doesn't share his secrets in the book. The gems. Instead quoted frequently what others wrote.
The book isn't suited for noobs and this is obvious the group the author geared towards. Why not suited you might ask? Well if you want to do some exercises from the book there are virtually no images/icons to show what the author wants you to do. Instead there are few images and lots of text, and you are left on your own. Very bad if you are just starting.
So for who is this book really? I'd say not for experts, because expert programmers might find the code to simple or could figure it out themself. 3d artist will roll eyes about the design approach. Nothing fancy or yawdropping for them. Also theory isn't what experts are waiting for. I guess they already know all this information and don't need to be reminded again.
There is a place in the book where it says: Blow Stuff Up. And you think wow here it comes. But then you find yourself including templates with functions you could already have known if you did some of the available tutorials, read the GameStudio manual. And Acknex User Magazine by George Pirvu.
Why learn the reader to include template and not learn him to create the effect from start to end. Blow sth up? Yeah right. Then it goes to opening doors. I laughed, why? Well there is problem if you create a door code and you have more than one door. This can be solved. I hoped the author would show how and used scripting for this, instead he used templates.
The model/skin/animate a character tutorial inside the book isn't bad, but very basic. And the tutorial looks like the one Realspawn contributed some time ago. If you have little more skill in 3d modeling and other software than MED, maybe you better download a tutorial on professional character modeling for free elsewhere.
If you think there's a complete game inside this book, on the companion cd or that you will be making one from scratch your wrong. Yes there are two samples, but again if you read the AUM, there's really nothing that will make you say wow.
There is some level building in the book, but the moment I was instructed to use CSG substract and block based geometry I quickly went on to the next page. Might missed something great, but I just don't do blocks anymore. Only models.
As others already stated. Alot of theory in this book. If you ever bought a book on Game Programming, such as All-In-One game programming books, those that go a little deeper behind the scenes, this book is a total waste because most things you either already know or sound very familiar to you.
Truly liked the information about Conitec though. Maybe not really need to buy a book for that as I could have asked these things myself. Still interesting to know a little history about the engine and the people around it.
The Slicing Blades, the NPC communication and the Combat system are fun. I like them, but there should have been more. I guess these are the best things the book has to offer when it comes to programming.
Still, I would not recommend this book. However, if this would be the first book about game design and programming you have ever bought. And you do not know anything about what goes on behind the scenes, it might be a good read though.
Some of the exercises in the book are to simple for me and the result is not worth the time spend. If someone with no experience tries to do some of these, he or she might be left with a lot of questions. If you know a little more about GameStudio/modeling, doing the exercises seems easy. Guess if you're creative and have wonderful imagination you could go from where the exercise stops and create something more professional.
These are my thoughts. Don't want to talk bad about the author or the book. I do not want to act like I know everything better or can do better. However this book gets a low rating from me. I am not disapointed, i'm sad. Hope the author will learn from the little mistakes and amaze with something awesome next time.
