The Game Maker's Apprentice: Game Development for Beginners (Technology in Action) | List Price: $39.99
Discount Price: $26.39
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Binding: Paperback
Déjà Vu - Hoping for More (3.5 Stars) [Posted on 2008-04-13]
I downloaded Game Maker 7.0 and read its manual prior to purchasing this book.
My hope was that it would fill in the "holes" not explained by the program manual.
First, the good.
The book gives an excellent explanation of program logic and keeps things simple and effective for any experience level.
I also liked the fact that you could read the book and see examples without actually completing the tutorials.
I especially liked the way the book would demonstrate a particular game tutorial with an easy-to-read flow chart.
So if you didn't understand the Game Maker's manual this book IS for you.
Here is where my 3.5 star rating comes in.
I paid about $25 for the book to go beyond the program manual.
The book had a couple of the tutorials that were listed on Yo-Yo games web site. I don't like the idea of paying for something that is provided for free. However, it gave a better explanation of Game Maker's interface.
Although you can make a fully functioning game without programming, I was hoping for more guidance on Game Maker Language (GML), which you will need in fine tuning games created with Game Maker.
I was also hoping for more variety in the tutorials. Not everyone may want to make an action oriented game. For example, I wanted to make a little board game, but that isn't discussed in the book. Hopefully, it will be covered in the next edition or another book.
I still recommend the book, but make sure you are getting it for the right reasons. Review the PDF file and sample text carefully looking at the table of contents and index. You might be able to accomplish your goals by reading Game Maker's manual and looking through the forums.
Game Maker review [Posted on 2008-05-27]
I have started using the Game Maker's Apprentice book and it is well written and has easy to follow directions. I am sure I will enjoy creating games with it.
Great Book for Early Game Programmers [Posted on 2008-06-01]
As a special education teacher, I would like to think that I have a keen eye for books that can hold my student's interests while meeting their diverse needs. The Game Maker Apprentice does that and more. The only negative comment I have heard about this book from a student is that it does not cover modern three dimensional game programming. My response, you have to learn how to crawl and walk before you can run.
Game Maker Apprentice achieves its goals masterfully, and I will continue to use it to teach game programming with my students.
The Game Maker's Apprentice [Posted on 2008-07-14]
This is a wonderful book! The instructions are easy to follow and all of the games are fun. I liked the fact that the finished games are on the CD so you could see what they are like while you are working on them.
Great book but Software company is Risky [Posted on 2008-10-16]
I own this book and it is excellent as is the software that comes with the book. (Game Maker Lite edition) I would not upgrade to the pro however as I paid for the pro upgrade key and Softwrap, the company in charge will not give me my activation key. Moreover, I have created two tickets with Yoyo Games helpdesk and both have been ignored. Buyer Beware. I have reported this to Paypal.
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