Introduction to the game industry
This book "gives you a complete overview of how to create and market electronic games. You learn how the process works: from creating an idea for a game; describing the game concept in production documents ; building game assets such as artwork, game data, and code; to final packaging and marketing of the product. Author Michael Moore provides comprehensive coverage of key game-industry concepts such as the elements of gameplay, interface design, storytelling, and the economics of producing a successful game."--Back cover
Print Book, English, ©2007
Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, ©2007
Video games
xvii, 726 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
9780131687431, 0131687433
71223261
Game Design and Development Series Walk-Through
Quality Assurance
Part 1. Introduction to Games
Chapter 1. An Introduction to Games
What Are Games?
The Growth of the Game Industry
The Game Development Process
Chapter 2. The Evolution of Games
The Beginning of Games
The First Board Games
The Rise of Commercial Board Games
The Birth of Electronic Gaming
Chapter 3. Game Genres
Game Genres
Action Games
Adventure Games
Role-Playing Games
Strategy Games
Simulation Games
Vehicle Games
Puzzle Games
Sports Games
Chapter 4. Overview of Game Platforms
Game Platforms
Evolution of Game Platforms
Personal Computers
Video Consoles
Handheld Game Platforms
Part 2. Game Development Cycle
Chapter 5. The Production Cycle
Phases of the Production Cycle
Preproduction Phase
Production Phase
Chapter 6. The Production Team
Management
Design
Programming
Art
Auxiliary Staff
Chapter 7. Scheduling and Budgets
Management Tools
Building a Realistic Schedule
Budgeting
Part 3. Documenting the Idea
Chapter 8. The Elements of Gameplay
The Fun Factor
Gameplay Elements
Design Goals
Dangers in Game Design
Chapter 9. Committing Ideas to Paper
Coming Up with a Game Idea
Pitch Paper
Game Proposal
Chapter 10. The Game Design Document
Purpose of the Game Design Document
The Concept Game Design Document
Structure of the Game Design Document
Section I. The Introduction
Section II. Gameplay Mechanics
Section III. Descriptions
The Production Game Design Document
Chapter 11. Technical Review
Technical Design Document
Structure of the Technical Design Document
Art Design Document
Structure of the Art Design Document
Part 4. Implementing the Vision
Chapter 12. Coding the Game
Coding Overview
Game Engine Modules
Other Programming Tasks
Nonprogramming Tasks
Chapter 13. Visualizing the Game
Basics of Computer Graphics
2D Art Tasks
Art in a 2D Game
Character Art
Drawing 2D Art to the Screen
3D Art Tasks
Drawing 3D Art to the Screen
Additional Tasks for the Art Team
Chapter 14. Hearing the Game
The Functions of Audio in Games
How Game Audio Works
Music in Games
Sound Effects in Games
Voices in Games
Part 5. Elements of Game Design Implementation
Chapter 15. Interface Design
User Interface Elements
Designing the Interface
Shell Interface
In-Game Interface
Ease of Use
Chapter 16. Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence in Games
The Mathematics of Games
Charts and Tables (The Game Database)
Balancing the Game
Artificial Intelligence
Chapter 17. Storytelling in Games
Narrative Structure in Games
Interactive Dialogue
Chapter 18. Prototyping and Building Playfields
Prototypes
Designing Playfields
Map and Level Editors
Chapter 19. Completing the Game
Balancing the Game
Pushing Toward Completion
Testing the Game
Gold Release and Beyond
Packaging the Game
Conducting a Postmortem
Part 6. The Business Side of Games
Chapter 20. Marketing the Game
Marketing Department Responsibilities
Preselling a Game
Marketing Campaign
Advertising Games
Other Marketing Tasks
Chapter 21. Economics of the Game Industry
Game Industry Economics 101
Mobile and Handheld Games
Financial Drains
Surviving as an Independent Developer
Chapter 22. Breaking into the Game Industry
Getting a Testing Position
Getting a Job
Working at a Game Company
Includes index