Learning XNA 3.0

by Aaron Reed

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0596521952
• ISBN13: 9780596521950
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Length: 506 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Just what I wanted...

I did not need an introduction to the C# programming language, almost all the books I looked at had this. I just wanted a book that explained the basic concepts of creating games with C# and this book does that and does it very well. It is easy to read and follow. If oyu are new to making games with C# and have some knowledge of C# this is the best book to get. On a side note every review of any book involving this subject i have seen has included a review by someone saying they are experienced game developers and that particular book sucks. If you are experienced in this how about try to find books that dont have "Learning" or "Beginning" in the title. It will save you some time and money.

A good option for beginners

It gives you a good introduction to XNA in 2D and 3D, XBOX and Zune deployment. I whould recommend the buy to the people who wants to begin develop games in XNA.

Great Reference Too!

I see a lot of people giving this book 4/5 just for it being too basic for them. This is what I thought too when I first read it. However, you must understand that were this book shines is not in it's depth, but in breadth. It's great reference and resource for further research into the topic of interest. For example when porting my PC game to XBOX, all I had to do is crack open the XBOX chapter (which I hastily skipped the first time I read the book as I found it irrelevant). All I needed to know about xbox and it's quirks, and where to start. Easy! The book is also very well written. I don't mean it only in the "correct grammar" kind of way. You can approach any chapter individually and get the information that you need. I also liked how some of the "edge" cases were explored where it was applicable. For example author points out the XACT does not work for ZUNE and presents an alternate solution. Basic? Yes, but necessary AND sufficient knowledge. This is a great book. True, it's a great "first" book, but this just means it has to be the first book on Your shelf. Follow it up with Riemers book and you are good to go!

Really learning...

Having no previous experience at all with C# or XNA, I find really surprising the ease with which this book is guiding me through the very interesting process of creating the elements needed to shape a game. Clear, practical, concise and well guided. A must for people learning or teaching the concepts and process of creating a game and harnessing the power that XNA 3.0 offers.

Learning XNA 3.0: XNA 3.0 Game Development for the PC,Xbox 360, and Zune

I've purchased many of the XNA books available on the market. They all offer XNA insight, but this book tops them all. The author teaches the material, so the book is feels like what you'd get out of a very good class on the subject. It digs in right off the bat in the the first chapter, and never lets up. Out of every book I have on the subject, I've learned and understood the material faster. The chapters are ordered as you build an application and you build your knowledge step by step. Every new concept is clearly discussed as it gets added. I recommend this as a first book on the subject for anyone looking to get into XNA programming.