Do you have what it takes to become a game developer? With this hands-on book, you'll learn quickly and easily how to develop computer games with Microsoft's XNA 3.0 framework-not just for your PC, but for Xbox 360 and the Microsoft Zune as well. Written by an experienced university-level game development instructor, Learning XNA 3.0 walks you through the framework in a clear and understandable step-by-step format. Each chapter offers a self-contained lesson with lots of illustrations and annotated examples to help you master key concepts. Once you finish the book, you'll know how to develop sophisticated games from start to finish.

• Learn game development concepts from 2D animation to 3D cameras and effects

• Delve into high-level shader language (HLSL) and introductory artificial intelligence concepts

• Develop three complete and exciting games using 2D,3D and multiplayer concepts

• Develop and deploy games to the Xbox 360 and the Microsoft Zune

While teaching XNA to beginning game developers, author Aaron Reed noticed that several key concepts were difficult for students to grasp. Learning XNA 3.0 was written specifically to address those issues. With this book, you can test your understanding and practice new skills as you go with unique "Test Your Knowledge" exercises and review questions in each chapter. Why wait? Amaze your family and friends by building your own games for the PC, Xbox 360, and Zune-with Learning XNA 3.0. "An outstanding book! Teaches you XNA development in a smart way, starting from 2D basics and going into 3D and shader development. What I really like is the 'peeling the onion' approach the author takes, which builds up knowledge from previous chapters." --David "LetsKillDave" Weller, CEO, Cogito Ergonomics, LLC, and former XNA program manager

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 13 Ratings

Just what I wanted... - 2009-10-21
Reviewer Rating:
I did not need an introduction to the C# programming language, almost all the books I looked at had this. I just wanted a book that explained the basic concepts of creating games with C# and this book does that and does it very well. It is easy to read and follow. If oyu are new to making games with C# and have some knowledge of C# this is the best book to get.

On a side note every review of any book involving this subject i have seen has included a review by someone saying they are experienced game developers and that particular book sucks. If you are experienced in this how about try to find books that dont have "Learning" or "Beginning" in the title. It will save you some time and money.

Weak Sauce - 2009-10-24
Reviewer Rating:
This book is definitely for beginners who have absolutely no programming experience of any kind in any language. It's extremely wordy, which makes it difficult to find any actually useful information. Most of the activities amount to little more than copy code from the book and are accompanied by grossly inadequate explanations of why that code functions. All in all, it's a woefully mediocre book that could have been vastly improved with the addition of a language reference.

A Solid Learning Tool - 2009-09-22
Reviewer Rating:
I have a shelf of XNA books and bookcases full of other books on game programming. This book deserves to be there. It is well written and particularly suited for the intermediate-level game programmer. I would suggest that you have at least a small amount of programming and/or 3D knowledge before diving into this one.

It gives explicit details of how to use the code in the book (as opposed to some books where the authors do a lot of hand-waving), and it builds logically from beginning to end--resulting in a plausible 3D space shooter that you can build on.

It covers platform-specific issues for PC, Xbox 360 and Zune (including networked & split-screen games), and does so with fun little touches of humor.

A good option for beginners - 2009-09-03
Reviewer Rating:
It gives you a good introduction to XNA in 2D and 3D, XBOX and Zune deployment. I whould recommend the buy to the people who wants to begin develop games in XNA.

Great Reference Too! - 2009-08-07
Reviewer Rating:
I see a lot of people giving this book 4/5 just for it being too basic for them. This is what I thought too when I first read it.
However, you must understand that were this book shines is not in it's depth, but in breadth. It's great reference and resource for further research into the topic of interest.

For example when porting my PC game to XBOX, all I had to do is crack open the XBOX chapter (which I hastily skipped the first time I read the book as I found it irrelevant). All I needed to know about xbox and it's quirks, and where to start. Easy!

The book is also very well written. I don't mean it only in the "correct grammar" kind of way. You can approach any chapter individually and get the information that you need.

I also liked how some of the "edge" cases were explored where it was applicable. For example author points out the XACT does not work for ZUNE and presents an alternate solution. Basic? Yes, but necessary AND sufficient knowledge.

This is a great book. True, it's a great "first" book, but this just means it has to be the first book on Your shelf. Follow it up with Riemers book and you are good to go!

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