Dev GT Computer Game

This is an interesting take on game design, letting professionals discuss their philosophies on what makes a good game. If you want a down and dirty, computer-code rich look at game creation, this is not it. But, if you want to read about what makes games fun and why they get made, this is good.

If you are serious about designing games, you probably have several books already on game design. This book is a valuable addition to such a collection in that it offers information other books lack, especially with regard to scriptwriting. For a profesisonal and novice alike, being able to describe even a single level in a linear fasion depicting the frame by frame action is mandatory if you have any hope of making a hit title. The book is worth the price for the scripts included alone. This book offers some of the best scripts from published games I have ever seen. Although part of the book is an "ad" for different software packages, for those not familiar with the options, it is a nice addition. On the down side, I thought more effort should have been given to the various documents required to complete the design (brief, TDR, TDD, etc.) since all are required to complete a real game.

This book provides what it promises -- an overall, basic look at game design with lots of interviews by working designers. It's for beginner game designers or curious gamers who just want to learn about how they make games. It's not for people who already make games since they must know all this already. It's for people not in the game-making business yet. The book tries to cover as much material as it can and does a good job.