Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Book sales-XNA Game Studio 4.0 for Xbox 360 Developers

XNA Game Studio 4.0 for Xbox 360 Developers

XNA Game Studio 4.0 for Xbox 360 Developers
By Jonathan S. Harbour

List Price:$49.99
Price:$36.49 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.


Product Description

Discover how to create exciting and challenging games for the Xbox 360 using XNA Game Studio 4.0 and the Visual C# programming language. XNA Game Studio 4.0 for Xbox 360 Developers provides experienced game developers with a comprehensive overview of the XNA Framework, providing all the tools, source code, and information you need to develop Windows and Xbox 360 games. You’ll find an introduction to programming in XNA, the XNA Framework, and all the new features included in XNA 4.0 to get you started. The bulk of the book focuses on the XNA Framework, in particular the features of the Xbox 360, including the controller, playing audio, and creating graphics. The final part of the book covers the major features of Xbox Live, including creating and rendering an avatar, 3D programming, loading and rendering a mesh using a basic shader, and networking via system link and online. You’ll tie together all the skills you’ve learned in a final game project that demonstrates the networking capabilities of XNA and acts as a rudimentary, sprite-based networked game engine for your own projects.
Source code and artwork from the book as well as Visual C# 2010 projects for Windows and Xbox 360 are available as accompanying downloads.


Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #1036085 in Books
  • Published on: 2011-02-16
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: 1.11" h x 7.39" w x 9.12" l, 1.87 pounds
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 414 pages

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review


Features of XNA Game Studio 4.0 for Xbox 360 Developers


  • The only book on the market to cover advanced-level XNA features.

  • Can be used as a reference or worked through in sequence.

  • Covers the new version of the XNA toolkit, version 2.0.

  • All source codes and artwork from the book is available for download.

  • Notes and sidebars throughout the book highlight important portions of text.

Contents

The book is divided into three major parts:

Part I: Introduction and Primer
This part includes two chapters that will help get you started programming in XNA, with an introduction to the new features in XNA 4.0 as well as coverage of the XNA Framework and how to create new projects with Visual C# 2010.

  1. Introduction to XNA Game Studio 4.0
  2. Peeking Under the Hood

Part II: XNA Framework Library
This part includes nine chapters that provide a reference for the NXA Framework with sample codes to show how each namespace in the XNA Framework can be used in a game project.

  1. XNA Framework Overview
  2. Audio
  3. Content
  4. Gamer Services
  5. Graphics
  6. Input
  7. Media
  8. Net
  9. Storage

Part III: XBOX Live
This part includes six applied chapters covering the major features of Xbox Live that can be utilized in an XNA 4.0 project, including coverage of avatars and multiplayer networking. The final chapter culminates in a multiplayer Tank Battle game that demonstrates the networking capabilities of XNA and acts as a rudimentary networked game engine for your own projects. Chapters 12 and 15 both cover 3D programming, loading a mesh, and rendering it using a basic shader.

  1. Avatars
  2. Guide
  3. Multiplayer Networking
  4. Meshes
  5. Sprites
  6. Multiplayer Game Engine
  1. Appendix: Resources for Further Study

From the Author
Source code for the projects in this book may be downloaded from these book resource locations:

  • courseptr.com/downloads (search by author or book title)
  • jharbour.com/forum (must create a free account first)

About the Author
Jon Harbour has been programming video games since the 1980s. His first video game system was an Atari 2600 which he played with disassembled on the floor of his room as a kid. He has written on languages and subjects that include: C++, C#, Basic, Java, DirectX, Allegro, Lua, DarkBasic, XNA Game Studio, Pocket PC, Nintendo GBA, and game console hacking. He is the author of Visual Basic Game Programming for Teens, 3rd Edition; Visual C# Game Programming for Teens; Beginning Game Programming, 3rd Edition;Multi-Threaded Game Engine Design and XNA Game Studio 4.0 for Xbox 360 Developers. Visit his blog and forum at jharbour.com.

Book sales-Learning XNA 3.0: XNA 3.0 Game Development

Learning XNA 3.0: XNA 3.0 Game Development for the PC, Xbox 360, and Zune

Learning XNA 3.0: XNA 3.0 Game Development for the PC, Xbox 360, and Zune
By Aaron Reed

List Price:$34.99
Price:$22.15 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.

Product Description

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


Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #236705 in Books
  • Published on: 2008-12-02
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: 1.06" h x 7.14" w x 9.16" l, 1.44 pounds
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 512 pages

Features

  • ISBN13: 9780596521950
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!

Book sales-Microsoft XNA Game Studio 4.0

Microsoft XNA Game Studio 4.0: Learn Programming Now!: How to program for Windows Phone 7, Xbox 360, Zune devices, and more

Microsoft XNA Game Studio 4.0: Learn Programming Now!: How to program for Windows Phone 7, Xbox 360, Zune devices, and more
By Rob Miles

List Price:$29.99
Price:$19.75 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.

Product Description

Now you can build your own games for your Xbox 360®, Windows® Phone 7, or Windows-based PC—as you learn the underlying concepts for computer programming. Use this hands-on guide to dive straight into your first project—adding new tools and tricks to your arsenal as you go. No experience required!

  • Learn XNA and C# fundamentals—and increase the challenge with each chapter
  • Write code to create and control game behavior
  • Build your game’s display—from graphics and text to lighting and 3-D effects
  • Capture and cue sounds
  • Process input from keyboards and gamepads
  • Create features for one or multiple players
  • Tweak existing games—and invent totally new ones


Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #464573 in Books
  • Published on: 2011-02-13
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: .98" h x 7.37" w x 8.96" l, 1.68 pounds
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 464 pages

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rob Miles has been teaching computer programming for more than 25 years. An expert on Visual C#® and a Microsoft® MVP for Device Application Development, Rob enjoys inspiring new and experienced programmers. As well as writing his own games, programs, and poetry, Rob has consulted on a wide range of commercial software projects.