Rating: 
Summary: I wish I had read this sooner!
Review: I have been wanting to get into game programming for as long as I can remember. I've learned C++ and it's syntax, but was always frustrated when it came time to try and write something with it. I could never get passed writing console applications, and trying to create even a simple program in windows took an absurd amout of time in my opinion, and I eventually gave up. I came across this book in borders (As I myself am a teen ;) ), and was almost swayed away from buying it becase it was based on a "lesser language" (BASIC, or more specifically, Blitz Basic). However after reading some of these reviews, along with still having a desire to create games, I bought the book.I couldn't have been happier with my purchase. The author, although only a teenage himself, is absolutely brilliant. I am in awe at how straightforward and clear his lessons are in the book. I was able to get throught the first 100 pages in less than 2 days, and now I can create practically any text-based game I want! The Language the book is based on, BlitzBasic, is basically noting more than the BASIC language (Which you may have already guessed is just that, basic) with the ability to do many graphical-oriented jobs, among other things. This allows the programmer to work on the code for the game itself, rather than the tedious as extravagant code of graphics libraries, Windows objects, ect. Like a previous reviewer said, this book really gives you the feeling "Yes, I can do this" when the idea of a programming project comes to mind. I actally have a new-found confidence in my programming abilities, and plan on tackling C++ again once I have mastered BlitzBasic. By the way, more information on the BlitzBasic program can be found at www.blitzbasic.com. I am already very impressed, and plan on buying the full version. If you are looking to get started in programming, games or otherwise, teen or not, BUY THIS BOOK! If you're already experienced in programming, and looking for a fun and easy way to get started in game progamming, BUY THIS BOOK! If you're disgruntled with programming games in other languages and looking for an easier method, BUY THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction to BlitzBasic
Review: I have read the book and found it to be extremely useful. I am not a teenager (I'm much older) and still found it an excellent introduction to blitzbasic. It also covered some intermediate to advanced topics with easy to understand code. The source code was well-written and excessively commented (a plus). This is a practical book that discusses an introduction to a subject then dives right in to the code (another plus). This book is recommended for adults as well. The text is written at a comfortable level that won't insult anyone's intelligence. Browse through it at a nearby bookstore if that's possible, and I'm sure that you'll see that it is well worth the cost. When I finished reading the book I came away with a feeling of "I can do that". 5 stars. We've been needing this book. Also, BlitzBasic has been upgraded to BlitzPlus. This book applies to BlitzPlus as well. To answer the inevitable question: yes, BlitzBasic has been used to develop many commercial games.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for beginners and worth your money! HOWEVER...
Review: I have to applaud Maneesh with his efforts expressed in this book. I've been programming for approximately 3 years now in college, covering VB.Net, C#.Net, ASP.Net, and some Java. I just recently got half-way through co-authoring (Dr. Robert August and Mellissa Hernandez of Our Lady of the Lake University) my own game programming book for beginners using C#.Net and I can't express how difficult the process was, so I fully understand the labor you went through. I'm happy to report that you constructed a fine body book that I was able to learn from. I feel that it was so well written, that this could easily be one of the best ways to introduce programming to any person, be it a student or not.
Regardless if this is a BlitzBasic, DarkBasic, or C# book, the concepts are very real and they build a strong foundation for programming games and programming in general. I can't compliment this book enough.
Rating:
Summary: Great beginner programming book
Review: I was at a bookstore looking for a book to teach myself programming with when I saw Mr. Sethi's book Game Programming for Teens. It was exactly what I was looking for, I wanted to learn how to program computer games. I picked it up and flipped through the first chapter. I was blown away by the simplicity and forewardness with which the programming language was presented. I immediately purchased the book and went home with it. While at home, I read through the first few chapters and followed along on the computer. The only previous programming experience I had was using editors for games such as Neverwinter Nights and Morrowind, and using the TI83 calculator to program equations. The book presents the material in a way which not only guides you but also allows you to build off what you learn. After a couple hours using the book and looking at the programming of several sample games, I created my own game, a simple chase and evade game. As I got into the later chapters, I was able to use what I learned to improve my little game. This book is great for people who are interested in programming and more specifically the field of game programming. Its great for younger people with no experience too. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in programming as a stepping stone to more difficult languages.
Rating:
Summary: From Dave, as promised Maneesh!
Review: I was pretty confident with both my PC and my Macintosh at home, but nothing special until I was browsing the internet, and this book really interested me. I was running a tight budget, so I decided to take it out of the library before I made the decision to buy it. I made a mistake that I realized after reading two chapters. I shouldn't have wasted time taking it out of the library, I should have bought it right away. Now I am the proud owner of it. I also recommend his new book about web design. I haven't read it, but I trust Maneesh is an amazing writer.
Rating:
Summary: This is a really amazing book!
Review: If you are interested at all about game programming, this book is perfect. I started learning Java and spent several weeks trying to see where the gaming aspect of it was, but then i wandered down to Boarders and saw this book. I thought basic wouldn't be fast enough to run any games at all, but it's actually a great language for beginners. The author, Maneesh Sethi, is also a teenager that has already mastered programming languages and seems like an absolute genius! BUY THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: If you've ever wanted to start programming games, but are intimidated by C/C++, this is the book for you. This book uses Blitz BASIC, a derivation of BASIC that is very user friendly and has lots of functions and commands built in so you dont have to waste time with registers and interrupts like you would in C/C++. The cover says its for teens, yet I'm an electrical engineering student with a good base in C, and I've had alot of fun with this book so far. An absolute steal ...
Rating:
Summary: Kudos from another author
Review: In my opinion, there are three groups of enthusiasts in the "gamer" market: Game players who want to make their own games for fun; Programmers who take up game dev as a hobby or a diversion; and those aspiring to become professional game developers. I believe this book excels at catering to the first group, is intriguing to the second, and at least mildly interesting for the third. Reviewers in all three groups will therefore vary in their opinion of this book. I co-authored "Beginner's Guide to DarkBasic...". In early 2002, we considered using BlitzBasic along with DarkBasic, but decided to focus on DarkBasic only, and tailored our book for the "extreme beginner," where it would be useful as a textbook in a "first programming course." I am glad because now there is this excellent BlitzBasic book too, and it nails the subject! Blitz and DBPro seem to be strong competitors. What you should realize when considering this book is, do you have a compiler? Visual C++ and Visual Basic and other compilers are expensive! But tools like BlitzBasic give you a DirectX game engine AND a compiler in one package. While this could easily cost hundreds of dollars for something like Visual C++ and Torque, you get it all in one package, with an easy-to-use script language. With this book, you get a trial version of the compiler, so you won't need any additional software to get started. A final point. Its the CONCEPTS that are important, not the language. Anyone who whines about a book not using C or C++ is immature and a novice in the extreme. Because any competent programmer can glean new knowledge from a book of any language and apply it to his/her own. Shoot, I have used Petzold as a reference when writing about Visual Basic. Maneesh should be congratulated for having written a very accessible book for new programmers and anyone who wants to write their own games without a huge investment of time.
Rating:
Summary: Kudos from another author
Review: In my opinion, there are three groups of enthusiasts in the "gamer" market: Game players who want to make their own games for fun; Programmers who take up game dev as a hobby or a diversion; and those aspiring to become professional game developers. I believe this book excels at catering to the first group, is intriguing to the second, and at least mildly interesting for the third. Reviewers in all three groups will therefore vary in their opinion of this book. I co-authored "Beginner's Guide to DarkBasic...". In early 2002, we considered using BlitzBasic along with DarkBasic, but decided to focus on DarkBasic only, and tailored our book for the "extreme beginner," where it would be useful as a textbook in a "first programming course." I am glad because now there is this excellent BlitzBasic book too, and it nails the subject! Blitz and DBPro seem to be strong competitors. What you should realize when considering this book is, do you have a compiler? Visual C++ and Visual Basic and other compilers are expensive! But tools like BlitzBasic give you a DirectX game engine AND a compiler in one package. While this could easily cost hundreds of dollars for something like Visual C++ and Torque, you get it all in one package, with an easy-to-use script language. With this book, you get a trial version of the compiler, so you won't need any additional software to get started. A final point. Its the CONCEPTS that are important, not the language. Anyone who whines about a book not using C or C++ is immature and a novice in the extreme. Because any competent programmer can glean new knowledge from a book of any language and apply it to his/her own. Shoot, I have used Petzold as a reference when writing about Visual Basic. Maneesh should be congratulated for having written a very accessible book for new programmers and anyone who wants to write their own games without a huge investment of time.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Starting Book for Anyone
Review: Maneesh Sethi's "Game Programming for Teens" is a great book for anyone, not just "teens", looking to get an introductory course to the large and promising career of game programming. The fact that the book is written by a high school student is awesome because he can best identify with younger readers while adding bits of humor to get you through the tougher parts. The included CD contains the demo for "Blitz Basic 2D" among other programs that can be useful in the creation of simple 2D games. It also contains the source code from the book which follows along with the lessons and is heavily commented (a huge plus for beginner programmers.) Overall the book is a great starting point for anyone with the desire to make games and, in my opinion, seems to be the only true book on programming which does not require ANY prior knowledge of the topic. Great job Maneesh.
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