PUT DOWN YOUR CONTROLLER Why just play videogames when you can build your own game? Follow the steps in this book to learn a little about code, build a few graphics, and piece together a real game you can share with your friends. Who knows? What you learn here could help you become the next rock-star video- game designer. So set your controller aside and get ready to create! Decipher the code build some basic knowledge of how computer code drives videogames Get animated create simple graphics and learn how to put them in motion Update a classic put your knowledge together to put your modern twist on a classic game

Do you already know the basics of using Scratch? Project Code will help you take those skills and build on them to create action-packed computer games that you can play with your friends! Try ready-made blocks of code to produce simple projects and use them as inspiration and models for your own ideas. This book will develop your Scratch knowledge and open doors to boost your creativity when coding. This practical activity book includes projects kids can do in a private online sandbox.

Ready to learn how to code a game? Get an introduction to programming with this fun and accessible guide. Learn HTML and JavaScript. Design and build five interactive computer games. Create cool graphics. Code simple artificial intelligence. This appealing guide, covering essential coding concepts, offers an ideal introduction to all these activities and more. By following simple step-by-step instructions and completing five exciting missions, aspiring programmers are invited to code well-known games such as tic-tac-toe and table tennis, then customize their projects to test their skills.

Lists the most significant writings on computer games, including works that cover recent advances in gaming and the substantial academic research that goes into devising and improving computer games.

"A series of well argued but surprisingly entertaining articles go far to set the very foundations ofthe field of digital game based learning. This book is absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in games and learning and will be for years to come." - James Paul Gee, Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy Studies, Arizona State University

Do you want to make popular video games? This book is for anyone interested in learning how to create computer games, whether you are at school, college, University or already working in the industry. It is mainly aimed at the hobbyist or independent game maker who has a passion for computer games and a desire to make their own. You don’t need any game making or programming experience to benefit from this book. You will be able to use what you learn no matter what device your game will run on or what platform you choose to create it with. Some of the things you will take away from this book include: + A clear idea of how to make a video game. + Important things to research when designing your game. + Some of the pitfalls to avoid when making a game. + What makes a good game. + An idea of the mind-set you need to make your game work the way YOU want it to. The bite-sized sections are ideal to look back on during your game development journey (and after you have finished) to double check you have asked yourself the right questions. Chapters include information on: + Game concepts. + The psychology of gamers. + Thinking differently. + Interacting with device hardware. + How to get a computer to shuffle and deal cards efficiently. + Make your own "Fruit Slice" game. + Make your own "Maze" generator. + Artificial Intelligence and how to make your own simple neural network. + ...and much more. About the author: Neil King is a software engineer and has been making computer games since the 1980s, at the age of 10. More recently he has built himself a strong reputation in the I.T. industry for creativity and technical problem solving. Neil has developed cloud-based and stand-alone applications for multiple sectors including education, automotive, child safety, medical and gaming, and has had two number 1 best-selling apps in the App Store. His 20 years of experience in Further Education enables him to explain complex, technical instructions in an easy-to-understand way.

Many aspiring game designers have crippling misconceptions about the process involved in creating a game from scratch, believing a "big idea" is all that is needed to get started. But game design requires action as well as thought, and proper training and practice to do so skillfully. In this indispensible guide, a published commercial game designer and longtime teacher offers practical instruction in the art of video and tabletop game design. The topics explored include the varying types of games, vital preliminaries of making a game, the nuts and bolts of devising a game, creating a prototype, testing, designing levels, technical aspects, and assessing nature of the audience. With practice challenges, a list of resources for further exploration, and a glossary of industry terms, this manual is essential for the nascent game designer and offers food for thought for even the most experienced professional.