Learn to program 2D games book

DoubleDutch · Post by **DoubleDutch** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 2:59 am

Mine arrived this (8th July) morning.

I bought it for my two kids to read (if they are interested). I've had a quick read thru it and its a really good book.

If your interested in programming a 2D game using PureBasic then its well recommended. I used to program games professionally (back in the days when 2D was the norm) and if your a beginner you will have no problems with this book or following the examples.

The examples themselves have loads of comments and the style of writing is fun to read.

In my case the book was delayed being sent, so they sent me a free copy of Quill 3D to make up for it. nice

Anyhow, overall for the beginner or intermediate (who has never programmed a game) programmer I would give it 5/5 stars.

If your an advanced or intermediate programmer (who had programmed a game before) then its still worth buying, if not for picking holes in someone elses code or style

A good bonus for Fred is that the final example in the book (according to the note at the back cover) needs a FULL version of PureBasic to compile.

-Anthony

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 10:43 am

Got my book this morning and have to say it's top quality.

Now I've got no excuses with the resources I have to finally get something done in PureBasic.

mlwhitt · Post by **mlwhitt** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 11:04 am

Sounds like this is a good book, will have to place my order.

theNerd · Post by **theNerd** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:26 am

Since I'm in the States I wonder how long it will take for my pre-order to finally arrive. I asked if I could get Quill3D as well (those who pre-ordered got a choice of either ProPixel or Quill3D because it took so long to fulfill the order.)

mlwhitt · Post by **mlwhitt** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:55 am

Please let us know how long it takes for you to get it.

theNerd wrote:Since I'm in the States I wonder how long it will take for my pre-order to finally arrive. I asked if I could get Quill3D as well (those who pre-ordered got a choice of either ProPixel or Quill3D because it took so long to fulfill the order.)

Brice Manuel · Post by **Brice Manuel** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 5:20 am

When I ordered John's original Blitz Book, it got here to the USA within a week. But, I live in Maryland. If you live in the midwest-west, add a day or two to that.

Generally stuff from the UK arrives fairly quickly. I used to have an employee who lived in the UK and it would usually only take four days to send or receive a letter from him.

On another note, if John's new book is as good as his first one, it will definitely be worth the money!!! I originally bought the first one just so I could get my head around network gaming in Blitz, and John made it easy to understand. I eventually gave it to one of my daughters so she could learn Blitz.

This is NOT a knock against Idigicon of John, but I really wish John could get his books published through a more mainstream publisher so it would be on store shelves in bookstores and computer stores. With books on the store shelves for Power BASIC, Libetry BASIC (2 English and 1 French), books on Dark BASIC, a book on Jamagic, book due soon on TGF2, books in the past on other "Click" titles and even Pie's old GCS, Two books on Blitz/Blitz+, etc. You cannot convince me that Johns book on PB or Blitz could not be picked up by a mainstream publisher. The exposure for PB would be awesome, and the exposure for the above mentioned products has certainly been VERY beneficial for product sales as new people were introduced to these languages.

That said, mainstream publishers could learn something from Idigicon when it comes to publishing computer books. If this new one is like his Blitz book, it is spiral bound. It makes it easy to lay FLAT and reference while coding, unlike the big and gangly computer books put out by mainstream publishers.

Intrigued · Post by **Intrigued** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:09 am

Brice Manuel wrote:When I ordered John's original Blitz Book, it got here to the USA within a week. But, I live in Maryland. If you live in the midwest-west, add a day or two to that.

Generally stuff from the UK arrives fairly quickly. I used to have an employee who lived in the UK and it would usually only take four days to send or receive a letter from him.

On another note, if John's new book is as good as his first one, it will definitely be worth the money!!! I originally bought the first one just so I could get my head around network gaming in Blitz, and John made it easy to understand. I eventually gave it to one of my daughters so she could learn Blitz.

This is NOT a knock against Idigicon of John, but I really wish John could get his books published through a more mainstream publisher so it would be on store shelves in bookstores and computer stores. With books on the store shelves for Power BASIC, Libetry BASIC (2 English and 1 French), books on Dark BASIC, a book on Jamagic, book due soon on TGF2, books in the past on other "Click" titles and even Pie's old GCS, Two books on Blitz/Blitz+, etc. You cannot convince me that Johns book on PB or Blitz could not be picked up by a mainstream publisher. The exposure for PB would be awesome, and the exposure for the above mentioned products has certainly been VERY beneficial for product sales as new people were introduced to these languages.

That said, mainstream publishers could learn something from Idigicon when it comes to publishing computer books. If this new one is like his Blitz book, it is spiral bound. It makes it easy to lay FLAT and reference while coding, unlike the big and gangly computer books put out by mainstream publishers.

I agree and this is why I do not mind printing off a .pdf, .chm, or HTML manual. I then use ring binders (circular metal clamps) to bind the pages as it allows for easy flipping, reading.

mlwhitt · Post by **mlwhitt** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:55 am

That's cool about the sprial binding. I hope this one is the same way.

Brice Manuel wrote: That said, mainstream publishers could learn something from Idigicon when it comes to publishing computer books. If this new one is like his Blitz book, it is spiral bound. It makes it easy to lay FLAT and reference while coding, unlike the big and gangly computer books put out by mainstream publishers.

DoubleDutch · Post by **DoubleDutch** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:14 am

Its not spiral bound, but don't let that put off getting the book.

theNerd · Post by **theNerd** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 2:30 am

The family was away from the home today but when we got back there was a notice in the mail box that they tried delivering the parcel but it required a signature. So tomorrow (finally!!) I get to peal open my brand new PureBasic book! So that means it took 1 1/2 weeks to get to western Iowa (right by Omaha.) Not too bad.

I will anxiously go through the book and give you guys a review of it!

Intrigued · Post by **Intrigued** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 3:29 am

Nothing in my P.A./USA mail box today.

ferty · Post by **ferty** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:46 pm

Hi,all just thought I`d let you all know That I placed an order for the book through the shareit website on tuesday 12th it arrived on wednesday 13.

Intrigued · Post by **Intrigued** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:55 pm

Ah, the book arrived today. But, I was sent Pro Pixel and not the Quill 3D I requested. I already have access to Photoshop CS 2.

Bummer, I was looking forward to using Quill 3D.

Intrigued · Post by **Intrigued** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:29 pm

At my house it was time for dinner. For me with this new book it was time to read.

I just read the first 20 pages and so far I find it very easy to understand and obviously written by someone who has "taken his/their share of programming lumps".

Now I can get back to highlighting a book (this book) with my highlighter.

*thumbs up*

theNerd · Post by **theNerd** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 3:42 am

I am going through the book right now. I really like it so far.

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Learn to program 2D games book

2D Book within Uk.