The Meat and Potatoes
Challenges For Game Designers (Book)
Brenda Brathwaite (whose blog should be a staple in any game designer’s feed reader) and Ian Schreiber (who’s blog I have not read, and who’s feed I can’t seem to subscribe to) have just finished a new book entitled Challenges For Game Designers. I just pre-ordered a copy and I’m excited to check it out. Here’s the product description from Amazon…
“Game designers, like other artists, get better with practice. “Challenges for Game Designers” is a series of creative exercises based on real-world problems, allowing the aspiring and practicing game designer to hone their craft without taking the time and risk inherent in a full game development project. Well-known game designers contribute their own unique solutions, allowing a window into their thought processes. While most books in this field admit that a game designer must regularly design games, no other book gives the reader, whether student or professional, a starting place to practice their essential skills. “Challenges for Game Designers” is nothing but practice, making it an essential book on any designer’s shelf.”
That’s really cool that you are into game development. I started learning how to program because I wanted to make video games. At the time, you had to be a super C++ developer with mad physics comprehension. I determined the bar for entry was to high and moved on.
Now, you just need to be able to learn the newest and coolest API and you can get started. hmmm, does this industry have room for indie game developers?
Totally…in fact the space is dominated by indie shops. If you want to make iPhone apps you’ll need to learn Objective C, so its probably not as approachable as it may appear to be. But web-based and/or Facebook games, or even Flash games are all approachable.