Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: After brushing up on C (it's been a few years =), I re-approached this book, and it was simple as pie. Game concepts, as well as the DirectX API itself.If you know how to use your C++ compiler, and you're willing to wade through a few quirky DirectX problems yourself, Lamothe will complete your circle. SUGGESTION: Code right along with the book, and READ the example files off the CD. Build your own game engine piece by piece, instead of just using his. I've learned everything rock-solid, and very quickly. Direct Draw is now vivid in my mind. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: The Programs Don't Compile!
Review: I have microsoft visual C++ 6.0 Pro and from the first WINAPI WinMain on chapter 3 to the end of the book the programs just don't work. The compiler's help says this "As a result of improved C++ conformance, some constructs that used to compile will now give errors. Each error message that may result from some of these changes is flagged by "(new behavior; please see help)" at the end of the message. This doesn't mean that the error message has a new meaning; it means that the compiler may be diagnosing an error which it previously did not." ---The programming lines cuasing the error are in every program example. So working around this is impossible - If anyone knows of a fix or can contact the writer and can get him to post somekind of update - please email. Otherwise I'd say don't waste the money on this book.
Rating:
Summary: mistaken review...
Review: I was wrong when I gave my first review on this book. I thought this book was for people who knew little about programming and wanted to start game programming. Now I know that the book is for people who know how to program, but never did any game programming. Sorry Andre, I misunderstood. I guess I tried to become a game programmer without going through the prerequisites.
Rating: 
Summary: Basically a "customizable" game engine
Review: The author does spend much time talking about DirectX and the basics of its workings, but in the end (if you're like me), you skip the first half of the book of confusing explanations and head for the chapters on the included graphics engine. Here, a basic shell is given to you for which to write games without the headaches of dealing with Windows programming. And if you dare, you could mess with the engine's .h files to alter the windows code and customize it a bit. Unfortunately, the author describes little on midi and anything on string output and input; not a good thing if you're looking to write rpg's. Otherwise a nice intro book.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best book for DirectX beginners.
Review: Stop, don't waste your money on any more DirectX books. THIS IS THE ONE TO BUY. ALL the examples build perfectly. All the explainations make sense even to non-DirectXperts. Trust me, you will have a redimentary game engine, of you own design, up and running in less than a week.
Rating:
Summary: Fairly easy to understand; Difficult/Impossible to memorize
Review: As if Hungarian notation wasn't difficult enough to decipher, there are many concepts like current window handles, HINSTANCE, and similar struct objects from Windows that make remembering syntax nigh unto the impossible. I'm more of the school "show me the syntax, and I'll figure it out". (Yes; one of those "evil" functional programmers... who embraces PERL... =) I'll have to read this a couple more times to digest it, and see how well it comes off as a reference after that. Fortunately, it looks relatively simple to bypass Windows' API/GUI--I'll review the book again after a re-read.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book for Beginners
Review: This book is definitely a good starting point to learn about game programming and DirectX. The first few chapters walk throu some basic Win32 programming in C style. The author did a good job is "explaining" the fundamentals of win32api programming. But do not expect anything comprehensive about win32 programming, afterall this book is about DirectX. But I think anyone who know C should be able to understand most of the stuff the author is trying to say. Then the author moves on to DirectDraw (aka 2d stuff). And I have to say the author did quite a good job. Even though, most of the stuff is NOT in depth, it does give the readers a good starting point and allow them to get good "feel" of DirectX. The other parts on DirectX (like DirectInput/DirectSound) are decent, if not comprehensive. But I think the last part where The author walks throu' a game engine example was definitely excellent. Strongly Recommend
Rating:
Summary: 1 word GREAT!
Review: This book is great IF you are willing to work. The book it self is easy to read and very informative. The code on the CD is well written and easy to understand and it all compiles with DirectX 6.0 SDK and MS Visual C++ 5.0. But be fore warned. If you think your going to pick up the book read it and then start programming your own game right off the start your sadly mistaken. Your first trip though the book will include the "DUH" factor when Andre talks about calling pointers to classes and setting styles of classes. In order to understand the book better, I read through the book 1 time (just to get a brief overview of what I was in for) I then started to write out each & every example included on the cd. Then I went back & read the book again..paying close attention to the code. After all of that I was able to understand all of the DirectX, and WinAPI calls. Because of this book I'm on my way to being the next John Carmack!
Rating:
Summary: Very good, but compiling, BLECH!
Review: This book explains every aspect of DirectX and Windows VERY well, and I would recommend it to anyone. The only problem is that it wont compile! It gives me all these errors... I installed DirectX and all that on the cd... If anyone can help me EMAIL ME !! icegod1@usa.net thanks!
Rating:
Summary: Beginners need not apply!
Review: This book is labeled wrong. I don't know anything about anything when its comes to game programming. And since this book is label for dummies, I thought it would really teach me and guide me as a dummy about game programming. The author simply does not teach the fudamentals and he doesn't take you by the hand. I couldn't follow what he was doing in this book. This book is not for dummies, but for experienced people who wants to program in windows. Maybe somebody else can write a book entitled, Game Programming 101!
| 
