"Tricks of the Windows Game Programmin Gurus, 2E" takes the reader through Win32 programming, covering all the major components of DirectX including DirectDraw, DirectSound, DirectInput (including Force Feedback), and DirectMusic. Andre teaches the reader 2D graphics and rasterization techniques. Finally, Andre provides the most intense coverage of game algorithms, multithreaded programming, artificial intelligence (including fuzzy logic, neural nets, and genetic algorithms), and physics modeling you have ever seen in a game book.
I read this book back in 2002. At the time I was a first year in a Computer Science degree and this book was a breath of fresh air for practical advice and provided my first understanding for how a game works from the inside-out.
Unfortunately, while the core structure is still true (to some extent) and the underlying algorithms are worth any game programmer knowing (Bresenham's line algorithm, matrix transformations, etc), the technologies used are both platform dependent and, at this time, utterly outdated (DX7 and Win32 SDK). Modern game engines require programmers to understand completely different technologies with entirely differing pipelines. And while I don't see this book doing any particular harm to anyone—given how much things have changed since this book was published—it will waste your time.
If you want to learn game programming, find another book. Something more recent. There are dozens, if not hundreds, on the subject.
Awesome book! Had read it about 2002, when I was 19 yo. I read it from cover to cover and will recommend for all who want to learn the gamedev. Book detailed review all aspects of game development: 2D graphic, input\output, sound, algorithms, gamedev patterns and so forth. This book don't reviews 3D game at all. For 3D games I recomend another book of this author is "Tricks of the 3D Game Programming Gurus". Thank you Andre for so good book!
An interesting chronicle of using microsoft products to program things. Even though it's aimed at Windows and uses the Direct X Toolkits, it contains some great fundamentals on programming games in general. A fantastic addition to any computer scientist's library.