Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Games    3. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    4. Games/Puzzles    5. Video & Electronic - General    6. Video & Electronic - Sports Games    7. Games / Video & Electronic   

Reviews (4)

showoffs
I was disappointed not to find any code - only demos of applications on a few of the chapters (e.g radiosity tool, gpu terrain). IMHO it is better to have fewer topics/chapters and better coverage of each topic, with source code etc. As M. Severino 's review correctly states 'Each article is a source of ideas ', so don't expect to learn how to implement all the techniques in the book.
Advanced graphics hardware and software techniques
Wolfgang Engel edits SHADER X4: ADVANCED RENDERING TECHNIQUES, a toolbox of advanced graphics hardware and software techniques for any student of graphics programming. SHADER X4 especially lends to classroom use, with its articles covering everything from interlaced rendering and fog volume issues to real-time environment mapping and Shader subsystems. While the coverage can help novices, it's especially noted for advanced graphics programmers who will relish the equations, charts, and more technical discussions.
It's a great book
This book is the best than previous editions.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    3. Computers    4. Computers - Games    5. Computer graphics software    6. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Reviews (41)

Not Useless Not Great
I got this book dirt cheap at HalfPricedBooks so I can't complain too much, if you can get it cheap why not!
What's with all the crying?
I see that many readers seem to have had problems getting the samples to compile.Having trouble using your compiler and debugging tools?I ran into compile errors, fixed them.Had a few runtime errors, fixed them too.Got every sample up and running with no tears.
Absolutely Atrocious and Useless
This book hardly qualifies to use the word Zen in its title if refering to Direct3D.Of the 16 chapters in the book, a mere 5 of them actually deal with things related to Direct3D.The first seven chapters deal only with Windows programming, which anyone who is reading a "Zen" book should already know. There is a lot of time spent talking about using the GDI with DirectGraphics surfaces which, by the author's own admission, is not adequately fast enough to write a game.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer games    5. Computer graphics    6. Computers    7. Computers - Languages / Programming    8. Direct3D    9. Programming    10. Programming - Software Development    11. Three-dimensional display syst    12. Three-dimensional display systems    13. Video & Electronic - General    14. Computer Programming    15. Computer graphics software    16. Computers / Entertainment & Games / General    17. Multimedia   

Reviews (9)

Illusion of Usefulness
The book only offers some insight into a realistic game production pipeline; it tries to cover subjects from "Fun" theory to BASIC to small Physics equations to Artistry.
Probally a Good Classroom Text
This is a good book introducing game programming. It is massive, trying to cover almost every essential aspect of game programming. This book would be a great supplemental text, along with another code specific book, for a two-semester game programming class. If you are a newbie looking for a quick way to learn basic game programming techniques on your own, this book is probaly not for you. (Not that there is truly a quick way.) It is a long read with little code. Let me make it clear this is a good book worth reading: it is just not the quick and dirty introduction that I was looking for. I suggest a step-by-step type book that offers a working game at the end, along with this book.

Great Book!
I am a Instructor who adopted this book for a College Course, Intro to Game Design. This book is well organized and goes over numerous major concepts that apply to all interested people in the game field. The only complaint is there is almost no pictures, so that makes the text extremely heavy being 945 pages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    3. Computer games    4. Computers    5. Computers - Games    6. Design    7. Programming    8. Programming - General    9. Programming Languages - General    10. Video games    11. Art / Graphic Arts   

Reviews (10)

This book is for me, I am a Dummy :-)
Okay... Altho i am getting better, I still am not very savvy on the computer. Because of this book my friends think I am a photo guru!!! This book is soooo easy to understand and the example pictures are a big help. I am having so much fun!!! I highly recommend this book for beginners.

Photoshop Elements 3 For Dummies
I do a lot of scrapbooking and was quite disappointed when I purchased Photoshop Elements because I could not seem to get around in the program. Now that I have the Dummies book I'm navigating the program with the greatest of ease. The book has talked me through step by step in easy to understand language. My pictures are looking much better and I'm able to print the sizes I want and recently I've started creating accessories for my pages. So I highly recommend this book.

Photoshop Elements 3 for Dummies like me
I never know how much of a "Dummy" I am until I try to fiddle with a computer program.The Dummies series have always come to my rescue.I enjoy the lively banter-style format which makes me feel like I am getting personalized assistance. With no arguments!Even if I never figure out my software, at least I will have enjoyed the experience!The book covers the subject, but with no consideration to related programs (ie., XP, wherein I believe my problems lie...)XP for Dummies, coming right up! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop elements    2. Adobe Photoshop elements (Computer software)    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics    5. Computer Graphics - Design    6. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    7. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    8. Computers    9. Computers - Desktop Publishing    10. Desktop Publishing - General    11. Digital Image Processing    12. Digital techniques    13. Photography    14. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    15. Photoshop   

Reviews (14)

Finally, an RE Archive (with abysmal mistakes)
At first glance, the RE Archives is a must-have for any die-hard RE fan!However, after reading through it, there are many things that should've been considered before releasing it in the States.
Great Books with Some Minor Flaws
Resident Evil Archives is a fantastic compendium of all things Resident Evil, but it's hardly perfect. For what it's intended for - to be a veritable encyclopedia for Capcom's hit series - it succeeds wonderfully, but there are a few things that might get on a few stickler's nerves. First the good: tons of pretty high-res pictures, screenshots, concept art, excellent page layouts, and all the info you could ever want to know about Resident Evil (sans RE4 and the spin-off games). Story synopsis, character analysis, detailed information on all the game's creatures and items, and a treasure trove of concept art and commentary to top it all off.
Awsome
Bought this about 6 months ago. Being the huge RE fan that I am this was a must have. Very cool if you love the series! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Computers - Games    3. Games    4. Games/Puzzles    5. Resident Evil (Game)    6. Video & Electronic - General    7. Games / Video & Electronic   

Reviews (6)

lame lame lame and again LAME
I have NEVER been very impressed with the PRIMA guides and this is just another crummy example of what a terrible job they do, particularly with Guild Wars.I once bought one of their e-book versions and their stupid piracy protection was so hokey I ended up getting my money back.The content is very superficial.While they do a reasonable job of listing all of the skills and mobs in the game, if your hoping for some actual helpful hints on how to beat that tough mission (especially if your going at with just henchies), this guide is of zero use.There is practically no real mission specific information or hints.You would be much better off going to guildwiki or guildwars.gameamp.com or tentonhammer or just googling for what your after.You'll get much better information then this guide will give you.

This Guide is Sooooooo BAD!
The Prima guide for Guild Wars Factions was the worst game guide book I've ever seen Prima produce.Don't waste your money -- in fact, don't even waste your time reading it if someone gives you a copy.

Quality Resource
This game Guide is another quallity production from Prima that we have come to expect from them. I open it always during every mission and when exploring the land of Cantha.
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Subjects:  1. Games    2. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    3. Games/Puzzles    4. Guild Wars (Game)    5. Video & Electronic - General    6. Games / Video & Electronic   

Reviews (31)

A trip down memory lane
A really fun book ... and one that conjures memories of the old days of video gaming. I had forgotten some of the games and graphics of those early years, and it was fun and interesting to read and see them again. This book is as much about the photos and graphic layout as the text, but make sure to read it ... the text is insightful, well-researched, and thorough. I can relate to Van Burnham's personal recollections and her weaving of those experiences into the history of videogaming makes this book memorable and remarkable. Gotta go ... I've got to figure out how to get my Colecovision hooked up to a plasma for a round of Mr. Do!

An Affable Arcade Tome
Great for a trip down memory lane, but certainly not a "scholarly" approach to the videogame era.Still searching for a book that takes the most academic approach to this medium, but this one is certainly appealing if a bit irreverent in terms of its overall presentation.

Supercade SuperNostalgia
Whatever they say about poor snapshot graphics, this is definitively a great book.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Games    3. Computer Literacy    4. Computers    5. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords    6. General    7. History    8. Pictorial works    9. Video & Electronic - General    10. Video games    11. Games / Video & Electronic    12. History of specific subjects   

Reviews (8)

a book by an economist has no right to be this readable!
a fascinating look into the "big picture" of online gaming worlds. as a WoW player, it made me think a great deal about how the game is actually structured as a society, and how economics can explain this structure. The book is a bit more speculative when it verges outside of the concerns of economics into politics but this doesn't detract. Castronova's an engaging writer and not at all afflicted with "academese"

A lot of food for thought
Edward Castronova raises a lot of interesting issues surrounding online synthetic worlds, including topics like "Why hasn't a virtual government spontaneously arisen in online games?"He also lays out a very clear primer on synthetic world technology -- especially for the skeptical person who might typically dismiss online virtual worlds as a "mere game."
Quite a revelation
I read this book, not having much experience in virtual gaming, and found this book to be quie a revelation.There's so much going on in this world behind the scenes that it's scary and fascinating at the same time. I recommend this book for anyone who is already into this sort of thing, as well as for those who are curious about what computer technology is doing to change the way we live. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - General Information    4. Economic aspects    5. General    6. Internet games    7. Social aspects    8. Video & Electronic - General    9. Virtual Reality    10. Computer games    11. Computers / Virtual Reality    12. Cultural studies    13. Economics   

Reviews (16)

Missing pages
This book was missing pages 65-112.And had duplicate pages for 113-160!!

rushed to market
Anybody could have written this book by working their way through the menus. They went out of their way to make this book thick, but there's nothing in it that an experienced Mac user couldn't figure out in an hour or two. Not up to par with other Macworld Bibles
I trust the Macworld Brand, based off the Photoshop and Illustrator Bibles that are insightful, indepth, and cover all angles with the software. They are written by dedicated users.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer - Apple/Macintosh    2. Computer Books: General    3. DVDs    4. Digital techniques    5. Games    6. Games/Puzzles    7. Interactive & Multimedia    8. Multimedia systems    9. Recording and reproducing    10. Reference - Macintosh    11. Sound    12. Television & Video    13. Video & Electronic - General    14. Applications of Computing    15. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    16. Television technology   

Reviews (1)

Impressed, this is well worth it.
I have been fascinated with AI for a long time, so I was excited to see this book.I own 3 other AI books, and all of them are really good.This book explains things in a way that is easy to understand.The author doesn't use any C++ in the book every algorithm is done in pseudo-code to make it easy to implement using any language.It is a definitive guide to the basic and not so basic AI techniques.The aicore that the author provides on the CD is well documented and is very helpful.
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Subjects:  1. Artificial Intelligence - General    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    4. Computers    5. Computers - Games    6. Artificial intelligence    7. Computer games    8. Computers / Computer Graphics / Game Programming   

Reviews (2)

Huh?
According to the authors the RAW file format is mainly for use in transferring graphics between Apple and PC computers and loses a great deal of detail. In other words they wrote a book about Photoshop CS but they know little if anything about the subject.

Great revision to this classic book
Whether you be new Photoshop user or experienced, you'll find great information in this good book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Design    4. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    5. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    6. Computer graphics    7. Computers    8. Computers - Desktop Publishing    9. Desktop Publishing - General    10. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    11. Photoshop   

Reviews (1)

Finally, a book that covers "dynamics".
I have owned Maya Unlimited for almost a year now and have had nothing but headaches trying to learn the Dynamics in Maya.This book is a welcoming site to sore eyes.It covers most dynamics and is very well put together.The only complaint that I have, which I have with most of Maya's books, is that the step by step instructions are hard to follow because of the vocabulary used.The examples are somewhat vague and can become very hard to follow unless you know the terminology.I am currently a student and if not for the instruction that I have had in the classroom, I am not sure that I could follow along with the books examples. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Other Applications    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Design    4. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    5. Computer Graphics - General    6. Computers    7. Computers - Desktop Publishing    8. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    9. Image processing: computer animation   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Career And Vocational Guidance    3. Career/Job    4. Careers - General    5. Careers - Other Specific Fields    6. Careers / Job Opportunities    7. Computer Industry (Economic Aspects)    8. Video & Electronic - General    9. Business & Economics / Careers    10. Computer games    11. Software engineering   

Reviews (9)

Came in well
The book was great in condition and looked new and it came in fast like promissed.

Describes more than Explains

Advances the field of game design knowledge
The first half of this book is great, and the chapter on *What Gameplay Is* alone makes this book more than worth it.Rollings and Adams propose a new definition of game - to replace Sid Meier's off-the-cuff definition "A series of meaningful choices" - that is more general, more liberating, and more true.So anyone who is annoyed by the fact that their favorite linear platformer supposedly isn't a game by the Meier definition can turn to this. It sounds like a small thing, but so many designers quote the Meier definition so often I expect that this small pebble will create ripples that will effect the kinds of games we see in the future.By focusing on challenges rather than choices, Rollings and Adams have changed the way I think about game design.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    4. Computer games    5. Computers    6. Design    7. Industries - Media & Communications Industries    8. Marketing - General    9. Microcomputer Programming    10. Programming    11. Video & Electronic - General    12. Computer Programming    13. Computers / Computer Graphics / Game Programming    14. Internet - Web Site Design    15. Programming - Software Development   

Reviews (38)

So much info my brain hurts, in a good way.
Background: No professional programming experience, but i wrote MUDs in the late 90s. I learned C++ at a junior college. 4 classes of C++, analysis and design, discrete math, calculus, and a class of java. (and some other unrelated stuff)
Very good book on managed DirectX
This is a very good book on managed DirectX - i.e. using C# rather than using C++, using the managed rather than unmanaged API, using .Net, etc.Adequate chapters on how to get started but not in as much literal detail as some books - you will need to already understand how to use Visual Studio, how to include libraries into your Visual Studio projects, etc.Starts off with the basics and fundamentals but quickly moves into more advanced topics.

Decent approach, bad information
The way that this book approaches teaching Managed DirectX is a pretty good one compared to some other books I have looked at, provided that you are willing to do most of the work of trying to understand what you're doing yourself.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books And Software    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer games    5. Computer programs    6. Computers    7. Computers - Other Applications    8. DirectX    9. Miscellaneous Software    10. Multimedia systems    11. Programming - General    12. Computer Programming    13. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    14. Image processing: graphics (static images)    15. Multimedia   

Reviews (8)

Out of date
Too much of the book is dedicated to showing assembly language shaders.The examples are built with the DirectX SDK and framework that was available when it was written, and won't compile with the later SDKs (I have June 2005).Other than that, it is a good reference to supplement the difficult to read SDK documentation.
Shaders and shader programming
As of this writing, there doesn't seem to be a real reference manual for HLSL and the shader assembly language. This book makes a good effort at filling that role, however.
Read DirectX9 SDK documents first.
I suggest to read DirectX9 SDK document fist that comes with DirectX9 SDK. Think about this book later. This book ends explanation as stream of comments of the simple sample shaders that come with SDK. I'd say this book is "out of focus". There are bunch of important things that should be explained - are not in this book. Such explanations are in SDK document.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books And Software    2. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer graphics    5. Computers    6. Computers - Languages / Programming    7. DirectX    8. Graphic Arts - General    9. Interactive & Multimedia    10. Multi-Media Hardware & Software    11. Programming - Software Development    12. Computers / Programming / Software Development    13. Multimedia    14. Programming languages   

Reviews (51)

Very helpful :)
this was a really helpful book. It walks you through the whole gaming making sure you dont miss any objects or trinity marks. I didn't finish the game but that's probably from my poor video game skills and also because i got kingdomheartsII right b4 i finished kingdom hearts. The print is big enough for anyone to see and the maps were extremely helpful. I liked this strategy guide much better than the one for kingdom hearts II. It pretty much only tells you how to defeat bosses which is very helpful too but the first one is more helpful.

Very helpful :)
this was a really helpful book. It walks you through the whole gaming making sure you dont miss any objects or trinity marks. I didn't finish the game but that's probably from my poor video game skills and also because i got kingdomheartsII right b4 i finished kingdom hearts. The print is big enough for anyone to see and the maps were extremely helpful. I liked this strategy guide much better than the one for kingdom hearts II. It pretty much only tells you how to defeat bosses which is very helpful too but the first one is more helpful.

Kingdom Hearts guide review...
This really helps you find what you are missing and helps you complete one hundred percent of the game.....I am glad to have it and have used it kinda but I need to use it more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers - Games    3. Games    4. Games/Puzzles    5. Video & Electronic - General    6. Video & Electronic - Sony PlayStation 2    7. Video games    8. Games / Video & Electronic    9. Video & Electronic   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (55)

No such thing as ethical hacking
Face it, whether you're a white hat or a black hat - hacking is hacking.Alas, the term "ethical hacker" is merely a way for those breaking the law to rationalize their behavior.Littman did a great job of exposing this great debate in the book.In the field of information security, Mitnick is known to all of us as the king of social engineering.Let's be completely honest (even Mitnick and Littman exposed this in the book)... Kevin is not good at hacking but rather at exploiting the human factor.That is - humans are the weakest link in this whole information security thing - not the systems themselves.You want to design a secure system? - educate your users, administrators, managers and executives on how to be wise and vigilant and adhere to a sound security policy.
This is a book about lifestyle, not technology
If you're interested in the technical side of Mitnick's computer vandalism, you won't find it here.You will, however, get a glimpse into his personality and lifestyle, as well as an idea into those of other famous computer criminals of the '90s. Better than similar books, not great
I wish this book had been focused on the media coverage of "hackers." The book does expose how tech companies, and the media, especially Markoff from the NY Times, exploited Mitnik and his story.It also shows the incompetance of the FBI and other agencies in dealing with Mitnik, trying to make him an example for others and nearly making him a martyr instead. This story has no heroes, and its painfully noticeable that even the author is milking the "hacker" phenomenon for what its worth. It is the pathetic world of a computer prankster, his malicious "friends" and a host of others determined to pad their resumes with Mitnik's misery. "The Watchman" was more informative and satisfying, however this is the most fair and balanced treatment of Mitnick's story I've read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Kevin David),    2. 1963-    3. Computer crimes    4. Computer hackers    5. Criminology    6. General    7. Internet    8. Investigation    9. Mitnick, Kevin D    10. Other Miscellaneous Crimes    11. Psychology    12. Security measures    13. Social Science    14. Sociology    15. True Crime / Espionage    16. United States    17. Computer games    18. Current Events / General    19. USA   

Reviews (7)

Good Intro Book
A very good book foe beginners and those new to geocaching.Gave us some hints and good suggestions for creating and hiding our own cache.

Not for complete idiots
I have a Ph.D. in philosophy but could not follow the descriptions in this book of how to use a compass and topo maps in conjunction with a GPS.I also was as confused after I finished reading the book as before I started about such questions as how to find something in a forest when the satellite connection doesn't work.On the other hand, the book does give a decent introduction to the sport and general procedures of geocaching.

Get Lost...or Having Fun While Getting Lost
My wife wanted me to become more active and knowing my desire to buy another electronic gadget, she suggested we look at geocaching. I had never heard of this activity before but since it meant getting a GPS unit, I figured "what the heck". Before making my purchase, I needed to know what to look for so i needed more information on the sport of geocaching. This book was the most informative book I found and was easy to read and hard to put down. I found the information extremely useful. And, yes, we have gone geocaching and have found our first 3 caches. Without the knowledge gained from reading this tome, I would still be out in the woods looking for my way home. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Games/Puzzles    3. General    4. Geocaching (Game)    5. Hardware - Handheld Computing    6. Outdoor Skills    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Sports & Recreation / General