Synopsis

About the Author

Clayton E. Crooks II (Knoxville, TN) is a partner in Advanced Information Systems, a consulting company specializing in custom hardware and software solutions for education, small business, and government entities. His articles have appeared in Dr. Dobbs, and he is the author of Awesome Game Creation 2/E.

Library Journal

Video games have graduated from child's play to big business, so acquiring one or two creation guides is a good idea. Suitable for libraries serving beginning to intermediate users, gmax and Level explain how to use the free gmax editor to create new elements ("mods") for existing games. While Level strictly focuses on building new levels for first-person shooter multiplayer games, gmax discusses creating both levels and characters, with examples of models for many popular games; its CD-ROM includes gmax 1.2, a trial of Paint Shop Pro 7, and projects and images from the book. Level's CD-ROM also contains gmax 1.2, in addition to a trial of Photoshop 7, finished files, a discussion of what makes fun and useful game levels, and a chapter on careers in the game industry. Business and Legal helps those launching a game design company, covering from financing and staffing to protecting intellectual property and licensing work. Though specialized, this guide contains invaluable content for game developers and start-ups; appropriate for large public libraries and university libraries supporting design programs. Also for large libraries, Online Games builds on the growing popularity of the genre, discussing the process of proposing and designing as well as pitfalls and lessons for design teams. Case studies and interviews add real-world credence, and an appendix provides a useful online world time line. For intermediate to advanced designers, On Game Design discusses the process of turning an idea into a playable and marketable game. A great example-filled resource, it encourages designers to think about the different ways that games appeal to players, important gaming elements, and the psychology behind various games' success; for large libraries. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Biography

Clayton E. Crooks II (Knoxville, TN) is a partner in Advanced Information Systems, a consulting company specializing in custom hardware and software solutions for education, small business, and government entities. His articles have appeared in Dr. Dobbs, and he is the author of Awesome Game Creation 2/E.