Build Your Own PC Game in Seven Easy Steps : Using Visual Basic

Rating:
Summary: Not a good book at all
Review: I bought this book hoping to find some information on how to build a game engine that would allow me to move sprites on a tile based backround, which is done by a function called BitBlt, although this book did have some info on Bitblt it was not alot, and most of the book only showed you how to write text based games with minor graphics. If you want to program games dont use Visual Basic, use a better laungage like VC++, and surely dont use this book! Try to find a copy of the Black Art of VB Game Programming, I did buy that book and with it I could make some ok games with VB, But DONT USE THIS BOOK

Rating:
Summary: Good for Beginners
Review: I'm part way thru the book, and so far its good for beginners. Even tho it is dated (1996), most of the concepts are valid. As a programming teacher, one thing does irritate me: the persistent misuse of the word "programming" when the author means coding. Programming is creating the logic, coding is translating that logic into code. Many students come into class able to code, but almost none come in able to program -- that is, create the logic. They think sitting down and making spaghetti code is programming. The author, as many authors and teachers do, promotes this confusion with his misuse of terms. This lapse makes it so much harder for novices to learn to program. But I was glad to see him emphasize "plan", even with the terms confused. Otherwise, good book for basic game concepts.

Rating:
Summary: Better tutorials can be found for free on the 'net.
Review: If you can see the cover of the book at the top of this page, It includes a picture of a 3-Dimentional castle. Immediately, you'd think you can jump into the fine arts of "NEXT GEN" gaming. Not so. With this book, you will jump into the fine arts of "TEXT ADVENTUREs", which is mostly the main topic of this book. Although Text Adventures have their element of fun, these days you'd probably want graphics, right? Oh, sure this book gives some info on graphics, you can find the same info on the web. I'd recommend this book for people who are familiar with VB, and want to "Get Started" with game programming. Otherwise, keep looking.