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Summary: Don't get this book wrong
Review: A brilliant book about designing computer game smash hits. If you are looking for code and details on that level, look elsewhere. If you are looking for an insight in the industry's foremost minds (like Sid Meier etc.) this is it!A wealth of input and inspiration for anybody that wants to start out in computer games whether with a studio or on his/her own.
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Summary: EXCELLENT!
Review: All I can sayis if you are interested in game design, Buy. This. Book. It covers everything from graphics to music to AI. A must.
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Summary: Great Book To Help Out Budding Game Designers
Review: Although this book does not teach you anything about programming or level design (ect.), it does help out a lot. What I think people missed in the title is "Game Design." No one said it was going to teach you how to program or make levels. It just gives people something to think about when they are ready to start making games. I feel this book will help me greatly when I'm ready to start making games. Heck, the first couple of interviews tought me something's I would've easily overlooked when I start to make games. This is a great book and a must have for anyone trying to learn about making video games.
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Summary: Well written and insightful;
Review: As a journalist who covers the games industry, I approached "Secrets of the Sages" as yet another book written by someone claiming to be an "expert" on the industry. It was great to see how easily Saltzman kept his opinions out of the book, allowing the REAL experts -- the game developers and publishers -- speak for themselves. I bought this book as part of a cool kit, which includes basic programming software to help beginners really put what they've read into practice. Excellant all around.
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Summary: Not for Professional Game Developers...
Review: As you can read from many of the other reviews this book is simply a collection of e-mail interviews the author had with a large number of people in the game development industry. There is not much text that strings the interviews together. While the book may be interesting to those who are new to the industry, it is not for more experienced game designers. The unfortunate thing about most of the interviews is that they are fairly brief and never really seem to get to the heart of the matter.
Rating:
Summary: Not for Professional Game Developers...
Review: As you can read from many of the other reviews this book is simply a collection of e-mail interviews the author had with a large number of people in the game development industry. There is not much text that strings the interviews together. While the book may be interesting to those who are new to the industry, it is not for more experienced game designers. The unfortunate thing about most of the interviews is that they are fairly brief and never really seem to get to the heart of the matter.
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Summary: Lack of Detail
Review: Don't get me wrong... I learned from this book a few but not quite what I'm looking for. It lacks which softwares is good to use... how it is done.... the how-to's are kinda missing. But it will be worth buying for a person that not into gaming industry yet. I mean, its like preview and lots and lots and lots of interviews..... not how to the games... ugh! Sorry to dissappoint you guys.... no offense
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Summary: Awesome
Review: Everything I heard it was...and more...
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Summary: This Book Actually Helped Me To Make A Game
Review: For me, this book achieved it's goal with flying colors: to help to design, create and FINISH a game. While not a full retail game, it was a total conversion project of an existing game (Starcraft) which needed modification in all areas cvered by this book, with the exception of the "breaking into the industry." I'll say this: the book may not be perfect, but reading it was damn well better than just sitting on my rear end thinking about a project I'd never finish. I feel that this book deserves every star I gave it. With all it's advice and helpful hints, I was able to create a damn good conversion, that actually rivaled the quality of retail games I've played. I found the advice of industry professionals extrordinarily helpful, because it clearly showed the pitfalls I was sure to and did face. I was not looking for another book on how to write code, or draw pretty pictures. I didn't find one. I found a book that very realistically showed what it is like to make a game, and how you should go about doing it. I really thank Mr. Saltzman for writing this very comprehensive manual. It helped me through a massive project, and I am eternally greatful to have read it. By reading it, I learned game design, the entire goal and focus of the book.
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Summary: Full of promise, but absolutely no information...
Review: For one thing, this book offered no technical information about games whatsoever. C++, OpenGL, and DirectX are barely ever mentioned, and the discussion of game design is a bit short of being insightful. Also, he even ignored one of the most popular game genres...fighting games. Midway, Namco, Techmo, Capcom...any of these companies sound familiar. The worst part of this book is the "break through" advice, such as "make your game fun," "nice looking graphics are important," and "be sure to have good sound effects". Thanks, but I could have figured that out on my own. If you've ever played a videogame (or ever even heard of videogames) before, then there is nothing you could possible learn from this book.
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