Game Design: The Art and Business of Creating Games

by Bob Bates

Book Overview

Have you ever wondered how a game goes from being a concept to being an actual product? Do you want to know what steps you need to take to get your game on the shelf next to Baldur's Gate(TM) and MechWarrior(TM) 4? Well, Game Design: The Art & Business of Creating Games will answer these questions and more It will tell you how to make your dreams of designing a game into a reality. Offering advice and insight on everything from how to get a foot...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761531653
• ISBN13: 9780761531654
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Good fodder for making games

Ok, if you have ever designed a game for longer than 6 months, most of the book will be obvious. If you have NEVER done anything with games, the book will let you know of pitfalls to expect and things to do correctly. Overall though, it is STILL a great book for everybody to read. It's well-written, has lots of graphics, pics, and other user-friendly tidbits of knowledge. It does lean heavily on looking at design and management of a few key games and fails to mention ANYTHING about web-based games (i.e. games played strictly through a browser).A good book nonetheless. Enjoy it and give it to your colleagues to read and learn :>!

A user-friendly book!!

Game Design: The Art & Business of Creating Games is a wonderful text. I managed to read the entire book in only two days. Bob Bates manages to explain the hectic world of computer game design in a concise and friendly manner. Highly detailed yet written in lay man terms, Game Design offers just the right information to spark new ideas and more importantly, offer hope to aspiring new game designers. Even if you only wish to create games for yourself and your friends, Bob Bates tells you how you could possibly break into the business. He even offers helpful contacts in the form of websites for review. All in all, Game Design is a great book to begin research into this business field.

A Vital Tool for the Modern Game Designer

Written by a seasoned industry veteran (Bob Bates, Legend Entertainment, creators of Unreal 2), this book is a definite must for any current game designer or someone seeking to enter the business.It covers every aspect of the game design process, including how to get your idea published and even ways to get into the business yourself.In fact, after reading this book, I've secured a potential job as a game developer, making a port of a PC game to the Xbox console.This will supply you with the knowledge needed to be successful in the game design industry, and I believe it is a book that every shelf needs.5 stars go out to this essential book. It is absolutely up-to-date, and will provide you with the power to become a better game designer.

Everything You Want To Know About Game Design...

Everything You Want to Know About Game Design... but didn't know who to ask. Quite simply, there is no better primer on the subject of the interactive games business than Bob Bates' newest book, 'Game Design'. Especially useful for those who are considering entering the gaming industry, this book walks you through all aspects of the game making process - from initial conceptualizing through to publishing and media relations. The book is also useful for industry veterans who would like to know more about the overall process they play a pivotal role in. Not a heavily-worded account, Bates keeps true to his 'less is more' philosophy, by keeping 'Game Design' short on pages, but definitely not short on quality. This book should be REQUIRED reading at academic institutions where digital media are taught.

Required Reading

As a level designer for a California based startup, one of the few things that stands out in my mind as being an important step towards realising the scope of game development was reading this book.This book doesn't give tutorials for map design, code snips, or instructions for texture creation, as well it shouldn't - that information quickly becomes dated with emerging technological trends. What this book DOES do (and masterfully), is to explain the methodology and theory behind the design of the game itself, from original concepts to final marketing and publishing. This is 10 times as valuable as the tutorials, snips, and instructions mentioned above could ever be.One underlying theory runs through the entire book - namely, the game has to be fun. Using many useful examples through gaming history, the author provides crystal clear explanation, caveats, and suggestions. Upon reading this you step away with two things: the ideas behind implementing your own brand of fun in a game you may be creating, and respect for the amount of work that designs must go through for even the most 'simple' (at least, to the casual player's view) steps during the creation, development, and publishing of their game.Ultimately, I would definently recommend this book as required reading to anyone in the industry, and would suggest buying a copy if you are a die-hard fan who is curious as to how games are created.5 stars for an excellent guide, which, while is contains information that should be obvious, apparently isn't THAT obvious, judging by a few of the games that have been released recently. Definently one of the ultimate desk reference guides to game design and business - it's great to have all this information in one place at easy reach.