Classic Game Design

You too can learn to design and develop classic arcade video games like Pong, Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Scramble. Collision detection, extra lives, power ups, and countless other essential design elements were invented by the mostly anonymous designers at the early pioneering companies that produced these great games. In this book you’ll go step by step, using modern, free software tools such as Unity to create five games in the classic style, inspired by retro favorites like: Pong, Breakout, Space Invaders, Scramble, and Pac-Man. All the source code, art, and sound sources for the projects are available on the companion files. You'll discover the fun of making your own games, putting in your own color graphics, adjusting the scoring, coding the AI, and creating the sound effects. You'll gain a deep understanding of the roots of modern video game design: the classics of the ’70s and ’80s.

Features:

• Uses Unity, C#, Blender, GIMP, and Audacity to make five fun classic games
• 4-color throughout with companion files that include source code, art, and full projects (also available for downloading from the publisher by emailing proof of purchase to info@merclearning.com)
• Includes historical anecdotes direct from one of the fabled Atari coin-op programmers
• Detailed step-by-step instructions, dozens of exercises, and rules of classic game design
• Contains unique insights on applying classic game design concepts to modern games.

Lanzinger Franz :

Franz Lanzinger is best known as the pioneering programmer and chief designer of Atari's Crystal Castles. Mr. Lanzinger is owner of Lanzinger Studio, publisher and developer of the Gubble series.

"Collision detection, extra lives, power ups, and countless other essential design elements were invented by the mostly anonymous designers at the early pioneering companies that produced these great games. Classic Game Design takes the reader step by step (using modern, free software tools such as Unity) through the creation of five games in the classic style, inspired by retro favorites like: Pong, Breakout, Space Invaders, Scramble, and Pac-Man. All the source code, art, and sound sources for the projects are available on the companion files of the accompanying CD.

Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, Classic Game Design is a complete and comprehensive do-it-yourself instructional guide and manual for either personal study or as an introduction to computer game design curriculum textbook. While very highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Computer Technology & Game Design collections."